Starting a new practice (Vipassana)

Yesterday, I finished reading a book called The Art of Living: Vipassana Meditation As Taught by S. N. Goenka. And I'm planning to start beginner's meditation classes next week at SIMS. It's humbling to think of myself as a "beginner," but in all honesty I must say that I am.

I am no stranger to that which goes by the name of meditation. But meditation is a bendy, vague sort of word. It can mean just about anything, from sitting quietly and daydreaming, to doing a repetitive task over and over again. Most of my experience with meditation has been as a technique for relaxation, something that helps me to find a moment of peace and serenity in an otherwise busy life. I'm no beginner to that sort of activity, but that is not the sort of practice that I am looking to undertake in a serious (but not heavy or controlling) fashion.

I am struck by something I read in The Art of Living book last night: according to the Buddha, the road to liberation begins with right understanding. I wish I'd had been aware of that quote when I responded some time ago to a "Zen Buddhist" who complained that my philosophcial writing was too heady and that the Buddha did not teach people to make intellectual distinctions. That's bullshit, of course.

The truth, as best I understand it, is that the Buddha's teachings use the intellect to point to transrational truths that cannot be reduced to the intellect, conceptualized, and put into dogmas. But there are indeed principles and distinctions such as the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. What are those, if they're not distinctions that can be conceptualized?

If "right understanding" is the beginning of the path to liberation, then I think that's really why my past experiences with what I call meditation really haven't done much for me. When my understanding of a practice is that it's essentially a relaxation technique, then that's all I'm going to get out of it. Now I'm at a different place where I believe I am open to the truths of the Buddha's Eightfold Path and ready to acknowledge that I don't have all the answers. My motivation for starting a meditation practice is completely different now than at any time in my past.

I think the difference is this: I am ready to undertake the discipline as if my life depends on it, because now I believe it really does.

That's why I'm not just going to pick up a book and figure I've got what I need to obtain "right understanding." I'll be looking for a teacher shortly, and will be checking out the teacher at SIMS as one of the first prospects.

Here are a few Vipassana-related links:

• "What is Vipassana?"
  
• Dhamma.org - Organization that sponsors Vipassana retreats for the meditation as taught by TauS. N. Goenka and his assistants in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin.
  
• Buddhist Meditation in the Theravada tradition - online resources and even something called a "distance learning meditation course." (I'm skeptical, but then I suppose if you're living in Nome, Alaska, your options may be more limited than mine.)
  
• Vipassana Research Institute - "This web site provides information on the Vipassana Meditation Technique, as taught by S.N.Goenka in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin. Vipassana is an universal, scientific method towards purifying the mind. It is the practical essence of the teachings of the Buddha, who taught Dhamma - the Universal Law of Nature."
  

Comments

[Torin]

Good Luck! I also studied the Theravada Tradition I received much insight from the practice. My only problem was their narrow interpretation of the Three Jewels, The Buddha, The Darhama, and the Sangha. Their insistence that to truly follow the Buddha path you must become a renounciate. A home owner my follow the path, but it will be more difficult for them to achieve para-nirvanha.

[Joe]

Thanks Torin. I also have some qualms about some of the specifics I read in the book that explains the path of S. N. Goenka. I'm trying not to get hung up on my qualms over the details, because if I waited for finding a "perfect" practice, I think maybe I'd be waiting an awful long time. I can always move on after giving it some time to see how it works.

[torin]

Just remember the practice is the point of Buddhism not the Theology. The Practice is the core of all Buddhism: Theology is just theater.

Buddhism can be some up as.

Relieve Suffering
Cause no Suffering
Watch your mind

[David]

at the ripe, old age of 31, even in los angeles, i am very surprised to find this info. pleasantly so. i am an "old student" of the goenka "school" of vipassana, though not as dogmatically so as they might have it. but the practice does work for me. i would love to meet other gay men, especially those around my age in southern california with a similar practice.

i'm not the monk-on-the-mountain guy (yet)- - at all. i front a rock band, love the local vegan restaurants (am a vegan, also of the non-dogmatic variety- - i.e., i'll let you make your choices and hope you'll allow me the same). still really into sex- - even for all the "sensation" observation. but very into intimacy and am still clinging to a notion of monogamy, though i haven't been a real relationship for a while.

i'm a refugee from evangelical christianity, hence, the aversion to dogmatic "this is right, that is wrong" judgmental perspective- - which i cop to being a judgmental perspective in itself- - but if i need only choose one to work with, that seems like it works for me right now.

i love camping and roller coaster, total movie-freak, silence and of course music. the band i front is somewhat in the vein of peter gabriel meets tori amos, coldplay, u2, bright eyes and nirvana. sort of.

this has turned into a crazy personal ad. haha. babbling geminis unite.

thanks for reading.

be well

[Doug Foland]

Ah! So many ideas so many paths. We indeed are all the very breath of creation. Love and laughter on your journey! Doug

[RevFreda]

Have you ever hear of Love @ Work...the exchange?
It's spiritual Expressions for living. It's for all people. It's funny and entertaining and very insightful. The meditation is the best and every week they have the question of the week. Go to myspace.com/revfreda for more information.