Operation Mind Clean-up

VIPASSANA is one of lndia’s most ancient meditation techniques which offers liberation from all misery through purification of the mind.
Rediscovered by Lord Buddha, Vipassana gradually disappeared from India and was reintroduced in 1969 by Mr S. N. Goenka who learnt it from Sayagyi U Ba Khin of Myanmar where the technique was kept alive in its pristine form through the millennia.
Vipassana, a Pali word meaning inside, is the essence of the teachings of the Buddha. It is taught by Mr Goenka and his assistant teachers in a 10-day course held regularly in different parts of India and abroad.
The Vipassana technique is taught free of cost in keeping with the pure tradition whereby teaching is offered freely. All Vipassana centers are run on a no-profit basis and the courses are financed totally by donations from former students.
The credit for bringing this not so widely known technique of meditation into lime light goes to Magsaysay Award winner Kiran Bedi, who introduced Vipassana in Tihar Jail in New Delhi.
The motley crowd that I saw on visiting Dhammathali, the Vipassana centre in Jaipur, bore testimony to the technique’s universal appeal. Though the search for peace, harmony and happiness is a common factor that brings people to Vipassana centers, I was amused to find that the lure of experiencing the ultimate spiritual goal of Nirvana was all too evident, especially among foreigners.
One look at the code of discipline to be observed during the 10-day camp was enough for me to develop cold feet. Adherence to the demanding time-table, in total contrast to comforts that modern lifestyle affords, seemed too big a price to pay for the peace of mind. I told myself I did not need this.
It was only out Of courtesy that I did not turn down the manager’s offer to show me round the campus, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise or I would have missed the opportunity of a lifetime.
For removed from the hustle-bustle and pollution of the city, the campus is located in sylvan surroundings. The idyllic setting of the Academy and the feeling of oneness with nature were partly responsible for my volte-face.
What clinched the matter was the tranquility of the surroundings being reflected on the faces of the students undergoing Vipassana. Suddenly I wanted to acquire that kind of serenity more than anything else in the world. By the time the tour ended I had made up my mind to register for the course.
Cell No 122. That became my identity for the next 10 days. For the duration of the entire course students are required to remain within the academy without any contact with the outside world. They observe rigorously the five moral precepts of abstaining from killing, stealing, lying, sexual misconduct and the use of intoxicants. All students refrain from reading and writing, and suspend any religious practice or other discipline. They scrupulously observe noble silence which prohibits any form of communication among them- selves.
The first few days were sheer hell! The demanding schedule included meditation, meditation and more meditation. Hours of sitting in one posture had my back cracking by the end of the day and it hit me that meditation is indeed hard work, contrary to popular belief that it is some kind of inactivity or relaxation. I’m not particularly fond of rising before the sun and the birds but the thought of missing breakfast provided the strength to hop out of l bed at an ungodly hour.
I was close to giving up when hours of practicing Anapana meditation, an exercise in mental concentration preparatory to the technique of Vipassana proper, began to pay off. The protests of my body were brushed aside by the sense of peace and tranquility that filled up my entire being.
On the fourth day, students embark on a journey of mental purification which is the practice of Vipassana. The technique unfolds before the students step-by-step over the next few days and depending on their understanding of the technique, unique sensations are experienced by the meditators. The realization of the universal truths of impermanence, suffering and egoless ness through self-observation helps in relieving the mind of underlying negativities resulting in inner peace and harmony.
The somber atmosphere of the course is lightened by the taped evening discourses by Mr Goenka. The discourses which are both, explanatory and inspiring reflect Mr Goenka’s pleasant personality and engaging sense of humor. The body clock adjusts to the new routine and lime flies when students start experiencing amazing results.
Students make the transition back to a more extroverted way of life with the end of silence on the 10th day. It feels wonderful to be able to smile and speak again. Positively glowing with a sense of achievement, students share their personal experiences with one another, make donations and purchase books and cassettes related to Vipassana before the course concludes on the morning of the eleventh day.
Vipassana has the capacity to make us better human beings and all students leave the Academy richer for the experience though rewards vary from one individual to another. Continuity of practice in seclusion is the key to the success of the technique and progress in Vipassana depends solely on the students’ previously accumulated merits. Full-hearted efforts, faith, sincerity, health and wisdom also influence the quality of results.
The lessons learnt during the course can be applied in daily life to make life more harmonious, fruitful and happy. One thing is for sure, attending the 10-day residential course at any of the Vipassana meditation centers will change your life forever.