Back from my 3rd round of Vipassana meditation in Kanchanaburi (border Thailand / Myanmar) as taught by S. Goenka. After again 80 hrs of hard core meditation I finally start internalising the essence of this concept. As always I prove to be a slow, but also persistent, student…

Main focus of Vipassana is a clear awareness of bodily sensations as experienced from moment to moment in combination with a calm and equanimous mind. Observing the reality as it is, pleasant or unpleasant, without any craving or aversion (which is easier said than done). Thus creating a basis for wholesome action instead of an ongoing pattern of pre-conditioned reactions.

Main difference with the Letting go route to Equanimity by D. Hawkins and E. Tolle is that it is not only based on a mental understanding of true acceptance (incl practice) but mostly on a physical experience (incl practice). This physical approach has my preference as my body has proven to be a more reliable partner in behavioural change than my mind (which can fool me at the subtlest level).

As a consequence all my senses are step by step getting re-actived (an old wish). And my actions are gradually less triggered by craving (passion) or aversion (fear) and more inspired by ‘wisdom’ resulting in more alignment with nature.

This however requires maintaining a daily practice of (according to Goenka) amongst others at least 2 hours of meditation per day and a early multi-day retreat. Quite an investment when not living as a monk but being involved in family, business and social activities also. As with other practices that I have integrated it does however probably free up a sizeable amount of time as well. We’ll see.

To find out more search my website using the key word: Vipassana

ps 1: I was struck by a relative over representation of young (20-30) participants in this 10 day retreat. Possibly a reflection of the current challenges experienced by this generation. Something that needs our attention. See Green Bean.

ps 2: it seems (to be investigated further) that equanimity advocates such as D Hawkins, S Goenka somehow still maintain a sliver of ‘belief’: around God, re-incarnation, death. If true this is possibly explained by a remaining fear of total dissolution into non-duality without any way back.