Reflections on Vipassana Meditation course experience-
Vipassana Meditation Course has been 10 profound days to dwell deep within and silently, diligently, persistently, patiently learn and apply thoroughly practically this meditation method, without too much thought getting in the way. It was a lot for me a confirmation of my path and led me to question it through the eyes of the meditation method of Buddha , and it was wonderful to see how it was presented step by step, so clearly explained from top to bottom, making it a tool at everyone’s reach. It is amazing and I’d like to thank so much this amazing team of volunteers that provide such a service 10day in a row, such an intense program. It really felt that this course are still an extension of the compassion of Buddha, that irradiated compassion in all generation that came after, till today. Amaazung to feel this. It’s been almost 6 years since I first heard about Vipassana and my interest in doing it kept alive, as if there was just this natural pull towards doing it that I never lost over time. And now was finally the first time I did it. It is definitely something I recommend to everyone doing at least once in a life time. 6 years ago was also about the time I learned about and engaged regularly in the Ashtanga Yoga practice, practice that until today I keep so dearly. Having done Vipassana now I understand why I had such interest for it and why discovering Ashtanga practice eased my fire for self knowledge in such a way that I didn’t chase Vipassana and done it. Vipassana also asks for one to put all practices, devotional practices and rites aside, for the duration of the course so that method is learned properly. And in six years regular Ashtanga practice I haven’t ever stopped my practice for full ten days (except for one time after scooter accident). It was difficult but was the one time worth doing it, for sure. These two methods have such in similar. Though Vipassana being a static meditation and Ashtanga a dynamic meditation, both work through the body sensations to understand, observe and get rid of patterns of the mind and deep rooted complexes that our subconscious stores in the body. Both practices present a path to liberation. Both work with real physical body sensation as object of meditation. Both intend to show practical ways to take these lessons to day to day life and this is so important. So much can be said about how these two practices are similar and in agreement. At the foundations of both practices a set of moral conduct are asked to be observed carefully, and their practice set the base for all benefits to come from the practices of the rest of the method. The five Silas and the five Yamas are very much the same. Also at the end of Vipassana meditation the practice Mehta meditation is advised which means a meditation for compassion and to wish all all the good to come. After meditating on ones own self through observing and empowering, both practices incentivate a meditation focused on others, directing energy and thought towards the well being of others. In Ashtanga the closing chant is practiced that conveys the same goal. Ashtanga and Vipassana are practices inclined to motivate practitioners into certain efforts that I kept on understanding their similarity. I felt Vipassana strick schedule and early morning wake ups to be nothing much harder than the extremely early morning wake ups for practice of Ashtanga as taught by R. Sharath Jois in the cold in Mysore and other places. Both practices are really keen on making one know that practice and experiencial path towards yoga is all one can do to reach the goal. We can learn all the books and strictures and theory to know how one can get there, but if one doesn’t walk the path one will never reach the end. In Ashtanga the message is clear as K.P.Jois quotes such as “99% percent practice, 1% theory”, and “Practice, practice, practice and all is coming”, are quite very well alive in the Ashtanga culture and these really underline the emphasis on practical efforts one should make to walk in the path. No one can walk for us and these are ultimately key sentences so that one just starts to move themselves a way from intelectual entertainments and into experiencial living. “Work hard, diligently, persistently, patiently...” are key words listened by N.S. Goenka during Vipassana courses. Persistently and consistently is the basis of any practice. Practice makes us closer to perfection. And the same to mastery of the mind and to practical understanding. And patiently, when it comes to reaching for yoga, observing our afflictions ignorance, attractions and repulsions that one is bound to encounter on the path towards purity of the mind, one is also bound to fail, run into tendencies and old habits. And in this time patience and self compassion is both good friends for continuity of efforts. In Ashtanga consistency is very much emphasized. 6 days a week. As well as in Vipassana. 1hour in the morning and evening is advised to be kept by the end of the course. Both are practices to better anyone’s life, bring about joy, health and self awareness in ones life. But these are two practices designed for family people. Gifts to bring spirit into the mundane, but at the same time they both invite effort and discernment into ones life. “Start with... an alert and attentive mind” says Goenka’s recording at the start of the meditations. Attentiveness, alertness and the narrowing down of the focus of the mind is a key step for one to develop a meditation practice, being Ashtanga or Vipassana meditation. Before introduced to learn Vipassana meditation technique one is to practice anapana exercise only continuously for three and half days, to make sure we narrow our attention span to the triangular region of the nostrils, the entrance of the nostrils to the upper lip. In Ashtanga one is to practice drishti and consciously the breathing system from the start of the practice. Drishti is directing our gaze during practice at a specific point each one specific to each posture. And the breathing system demands development of a subtle awareness and directs ones senses to the inside. Other than this ashtanga has also a step by step teaching style. These foundations are given in the first class and always reminded if needed. First classes ones practice is kept to a minimum in length, always depending on ones capacity, but in general the consistency in practice (that is to come regularly from day to day) is key to integration of the lessons and to further development. I also noticed that Vipassana really gives importance to being silent during those ten days course, which makes this course much more sacred. ‘Noble silent’ asks of us to stop communications, of all kinds, with everyone. This makes it easier for all to dive within in meditation and apply the new lessons and techniques without outside influence, and try and see result as per your own expirement. As I look into traditional Ashtanga Mysore classes, silence in class is a detail that comes out to any one who looks at it for the first time. As the classes are not guided in groups and actually of many people follow there own pace in their own assigned sequence suited to their individual capacity. Mysore classes major rule is silence and talking to teachers only, and if (in general) there is doubts or updating a new physical condition. This helps focus and along with drishti makes the practice much more of deep dive within. In Mysore classes the teacher makes all the talking, as the teacher approaches each student individually to share the teaching within the group context. Vipassana and Ashtanga have extreme similarities at there core. And no wonder why one got me from seeking the other. In the end Ashtanga practice, and Yoga Sutras (Ashtanga theory) studies, had me go through and understand Vipassana much more smoothly than I would without and Vipassana meditation had me realize key things of the yoga practice in Ashtanga and how practice can truly stay in steady course towards yoga and truth, is now much clear. Working with observing pain and pleasure and remaining equanimous is a constant for a yogi. Life is abundant, and this abundance is in constant change. The law of impermanence touches everything. If one clears him/herself from its attachments and repulsions is set to live a life of purity, balanced mind and truth. One those that by observing reality and practicing equanimity, instead of resolving to react this or that way. The sensations of the body and this kind of work through observing them, makes body sensations a real tool to self knowledge and eradicating the reactions of the mind and heal deep rooted complexes. Being in a dynamic or a sitting meditation with this objectives in mind yoga is there to be achieved. In Ashtanga working with the pain his a known fact. “No pain, no gain”, words of Sharath Jois. Observation of pain. Not running away. Each day returning to the same confrontation leads one to observe, accept and heal. Endurance and strong determination is as well in the teachings of Vipassana. Remaining one full hour or more sitting straight without moving a inch is an exercise of Vipassana to have one face its pain and pleasures, discomforts and comforts and just not react and observe. True lessons for everyday life. Among the similarities between Asthanga and Vipassana they both clearly mention that should simply choose a practice and practice it plain and clearly, without mixing it with any other practice, in order to get full benefits and give fair trail to each method. And they give very good illustrative and humorous example to clearly pass the message. At least while doing one I will not be doing the other at the same time. I get back to my Ashtanga practice. And Vipassana meditation is a ongoing practice wether I’m sitting or not. I love that these to practice present such similarities. And that they give a path so that anyone can find light, love and self knowing in their life. And this so it is because they both are all inclusive, non sectarian paths that show a way from the grossest of our beings to subtlest. And this path, once you start walking and ONLY ONCE you do so, is so evidently clear. Please. Don’t intellectualize. No playing mind games. And just practice, and try it out for your self. Wish all the compassion, love and purity. May all be happy! 8/1/2020 Sérgio Ramos
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