There are
many versions of Vipassana you may encounter. They all differ slightly in
technique, according to which tradition and which main teacher is followed. I
list some of the initial stage techniques for the concentration of the mind
here:
- · Observation of the rising and falling of the abdomen
- · Visualization of an object in the mind
- · Chanting of a mantra
- · Observation of the incoming and outgoing breath
The Vipassana
technique I follow, as taught by SN Goenka teaches the observation of the
natural incoming and outgoing breath. No chantings and no visualizations are
used. This is because, although chantings and visualizations help calm and
concentrate the mind faster, we believe that they will later become a hindrance
to us as we go into the depths of meditation.
A good
explanation of Vipassana and the 10 day courses offered by this tradition can
be found at http://www.dhamma.org/en/vipassana.shtml
and http://www.globalpagoda.org/what-is-vipassana
The Teachers
In order to
know what you are going in for, it is always good to know the background of your
teachers and the results that the practise of meditation has brought about in
their own life.
More about
the life of the teacher, SN Goenka is available here: http://www.dhamma.org/en/goenka.shtml
The extraordinary
life of SN Goenka’s teacher, Sayagyi U Ba Khin, the first Accountant General of
an independent Burma can be found here: http://www.globalpagoda.org/sayagyi-u-ba-khin
I will
explain what goes on during the 10 day Vipassana course and the technique of
this tradition in more detail later. In the meantime you can get a lot of
information about the course, technique and course centres from the main
website; http://www.dhamma.org/
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