This post will focus on Vipassana Meditation - a profound practice in the art of Being & Doing.

I recently attended another 10-day Vipassana meditation course instructed by S.N Goenka in the Sayagyi U Ba Khin tradition of Vipassana Meditation. This by donation only non-sectarian meditation course, in my view, is the real deal as it practices what it preaches. I have attended a number of meditation courses, and some charge money and others don’t, however not all commit themselves to the practice of Dhamma - the law of nature, or reality as it is, or righteous path; depending on the context. The organization’s unofficial motto is, “May All Beings Be Happy,” and while appreciating Dana, or offerings, of the financial nature, S.N. Goenka promotes service towards others as the more valuable offering. There are over 130 centers worldwide, operating independently with their own Trusts. All the centers commit themselves to upholding the same principles and guidelines - Dhamma.

Mediation is a hot topic currently. There are with multiple apps teaching you how to mediate, instructors offering varied courses with the fast track to better health and a calmer mind, and with hundreds of different types of meditations available to choose among thus finding what works is challenging. Any meditation if worked diligently and persistently will produce benefits. Each meditation tends to have its own separate results such as: a calmer mind, increased energy, greater sense of openness and love, devotion, or concentration. The practice of this Vipassana technique, which is historically the technique which The Buddha used to reach enlightenment, is designed to eradicate suffering by witnessing of the mind’s inescapable appetite for craving and aversion through becoming aware of body sensations - this is a simplistic explanation of the technique. For more information here

Meditation is a double-edged sword for it is the expression of Being and Doing in synergy. While on the surface one may just see a person sitting with their eyes closed, yet what they are doing inside their own mind is incredible. The meditator is learning how to Be through the act of Doing. Learning how to Be with whatever arises through the Doing of equanimous awareness. It is perhaps the most difficult thing anyone can learn how to Do in order to Be.

This past course I attended with the intention of service for the meditators coming to learn the art of Vipassana. My practice was to Do service, cooking and cleaning, in order to practice Being. This was the first time I served a course, and it was a challenge to Be as I was Doing. To watch my breath, as it is, coming and going from my nostrils as I worked. Honestly, I was likely able to fix my attention upon my breath for three or four rounds before my mind became distracted again with what I was doing. Try it for yourself as you work and see how long you can last. One enters the state of Being as one watches the breath, it is said. My gosh, how difficult is it to merely watch the breath for 30 seconds without the mind racing away. When my attention was with the breath a seed of joy grew in my heart. Ultimately, this seed of joy becomes compassion for all beings through the practice of equanimous awareness. A state of being where might be raging storms on the outside, yet inside the mind and heart are calm and focused with inexhaustible compassion for others. Perhaps, that is enlightenment? Perhaps, a discussion for another post.

For all my clients, I strongly recommend that while they work with me they take up a mediation practice, any practice! However, if they have the time for this 10-day Vipassana course, it is a must. Goenka gives up the practice true to laws of Dhamma. The best things in life are free. A practice which promotes: love, joy, compassion, morality and happiness without demanding anything return must be doing something correct. Go forth and sit!

Try it for yourself - more info at dhamma.org

For questions about meditation or to schedule a complimentary Life Coaching Session. Contact me here.

Be Happy!