The Art of Living

The Art of Living – Vipassana means “insight” in the ancient Pali language of India. It is the essence of the teaching of the Buddha, the actual experience of the truths of which he spoke. The Buddha himself attained that experience by the practice of meditation, and therefore meditation is what he primarily taught. His words are records of his experiences in meditation, as well as detailed instructions on how to practice in order to reach the goal he had attained, the experience of truth. This is widely accepted, by the problem remains of how to understand and follow the instructions given by the Buddha. While his words have been preserved in texts of recognized authenticity, the interpretation of the Buddha’s meditation instructions is difficult without the context of living practice. Vipassana is a simple and instructive method to develop a daily, living practice. Download The Art of Living here (164 pages/: 2.8 MB)

Art of Living

 

What is Vipassana meditation?

Vipassana meditation is a form of mindfulness meditation that originated in ancient India. The word “Vipassana” means “to see things as they really are” and it is a technique for self-transformation through self-observation.

The practice of Vipassana involves focusing one’s attention on the present moment, observing the sensations in the body and the movements of the mind without judgment. It is believed that by doing this, one can gain insight into the true nature of reality and overcome negative mental states such as craving, aversion, and ignorance.

The technique of Vipassana meditation is usually taught in a 10-day silent retreat, where participants are instructed in the proper technique and are given the opportunity to practice for extended periods of time. During the retreat, participants are asked to maintain noble silence, which means refraining from speaking, reading, writing, and using any form of communication.

Vipassana meditation is considered to be a form of insight meditation, and it is said to be beneficial for developing concentration, reducing stress and anxiety, and promoting emotional balance and well-being.

Although Vipassana meditation is rooted in Buddhism, the technique is taught and practiced independently of any religious affiliation and is open to people of any background or belief.