Questions tagged [vipassana]
Vipassanā (Pāli, Vipaśhyanā in Sanskrit, Lhagthong in Tibetan) is a form of insight-meditation and one of the two meditation techniques that supposedly were taught by the Buddha
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What exactly differentiates Vipassana from Samatha meditation?
What are the key aspects of Vipassana that are not present in Samatha?
What is the main difference in the method from a meditator's perspective?
Labeling emotions and feelings are part of samatha ...
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How is the Pali Phase “Sabbakayapatisamvedi Assasissami… passasissamiti sikkhati…” Interpreted as per Different Linage?
What is the interpretation of the Pali phrase "Sabbakayapatisamvedi Assasissami... passasissamiti sikkhati..." this seems to be interpreted differently by different lineages. What are the different ...
asked Aug 7 '14 at 5:55
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
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Overwhelming thoughts - Mindfulness and awareness
So I have read and know something about awareness and doing regular tasks with attention and focus. But recently there has been chaos with my job and cause for consternation. Thoughts keep arising ...
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Lust arises every time I am alone
Similarly as this question When I started vipassana with my room mate and we both meditate peacefully, but now he left and I am alone, I have noticed lust in mind that it goes less me to wrong ...
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Overwhelming states of being reached through meditation
I'm wondering what the Buddhist tradition might say about the following state of being. Firstly a bit of background, explaining how I got there and how it felt:
I practiced (what I understood to be) ...
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How to judge progress in vipassana
In samatha one can judge their progress through the progression of jhana, is there a concrete/measurable way to judge progress in vipassana?
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Was Vipassana discovered by the Buddha (Siddhartha)?
I read somewhere that samatha (and jhana) was discovered by the Buddha, but how about vipassana? Is there any evidence either way (i.e. suttas)?
The reason I'm asking is because I am more proficient ...
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What is awareness?
I understand that there is no self; yet there seems to be a never changing deeply seated, unfindable awareness attached to a human body that observes the sensations that arise and pass away.
This ...
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How to disambiguate between various meditation practices?
From what I understand, different schools of Buddhism teach different subsets of meditation techniques, or different variations of the same techniques. However, many meditation resources don't specify ...
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2answers
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Important readings in vipassana
I am looking for the most important Buddhist readings regarding vipassana teachings. I have read thoroughly the Satipatthana Sutta, but I wonder if there are other important texts regarding insight ...
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3answers
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U ba Khin / Goenka Vipassana putting stress only on vednanupassana
The Vipassana as taught by Gautam Buddha in his Maha Sati Patthana Sutta talks about four different feilds of meditation : Body, Sensations,mind and mental contents.
Goenka focuses solely on ...
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Losing awareness
I have been dealing with negative mental states in my practice. When it gets overwhelming I lose my sense of mindfulness and get lost in the middle of all the noise and I guess I identify with it, ...
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What is dry insight?
Following up from this answer - What is 'dry insight' exactly and how does it work. Is it a practice that someone will activity engage in or is it something that just happens to someone - a flash of ...
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How does one calm one's bodily fabrications?
I personally start looking at the speed of the breath and then it slows down. In the Tripitaka are there recommended methods to accomplish this? What do different teachers and commentaries say about ...
asked Sep 30 '14 at 3:37
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
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2answers
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How should I watch sensations in Vipassana meditation?
How should I watch sensations in Vipassana? Should I watch from head to toe and then toe to head? Please explain things step by step as I'm new to Vipassana. Thanks in advance!
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Meaning of 'kalapas'
What did the Buddha really meant with 'kalapas' (those ultra small particles of existence, that arise and pass away at an incredible speed)?
Is there a correlation between those kalapas and the ...
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4answers
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Is this progress in meditation?
Sometimes during meditation (Vipassana), I've noticed how the mind tends to get back to breathing by itself, without effort. Can I consider this a progress in meditation? I know that it would be a ...
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4answers
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Buddhist Centres in Paris?
I moved to France, Paris recently. I am seeking any meditation centres vipasana, zen, Insight etc., where I can also communicate in English, since I don't speak much French.
Can anyone here who ...
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Changing of questions and the precept of not speaking what is not true
Venerables,
Upasaka, Upasika
Valued readers and engaged Buddhabodhisattas here,
In how far might it count as a break of the precept, abstaining from telling what is not true, if one changes the ...
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4answers
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What are the differences between vipassana and mindfulness meditation?
I have been reading about vipassana and mindfulness meditation but so far I haven’t fully understood the differences. Is mindfulness meditation an aspect or a variation of vipassana meditation?
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Can one learn meditation on their own?
Can I learn Vipassana meditation or other Buddhist meditation techniques like Shamatha on my own using books and online videos?
This is because it is sometimes hard to find good genuine teachers.
Or ...
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How do I integrate Vipassana practice into daily life?
I'm am completely new to meditation, and I have really been wanting to start it. The past few days, I've been doing Vipassana sessions for the first time; however, I hear people say that it doesn't ...
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In meditation, should one pursue tranquility first, prior to looking for insight?
On the one hand this question has been asked to death on the internet (and yuttadhammo's videos even try to handle it). On the other hand, I personally still don't feel I have a clear answer (and I ...
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3answers
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Overcoming distractions in meditation as per the Tripitaka?
According to the Tripitaka how do you overcome distractions in meditation. Distractions can be including but not limited to:
Wondering mind
Pains
Hindrances
Defilements arising in the mind
etc.
asked Sep 30 '14 at 2:15
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
36.2k3 gold badges23 silver badges71 bronze badges
7
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5answers
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Does samatha practice always come before vipassana practice?
In my tradition (Triratna) there is a big emphasis of a lot of samatha practice before any vipassana practice. This has always made sense to me. However is this universal in all Buddhist schools? Are ...
7
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3answers
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Sloth-torpor-Restlessness-worry
I meditate first think in the morning and every morning i have to face sloth and torpor.When i face sloth and torpor i make a mental note and i can see how is impermanent and uncontrollable and after ...
8
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3answers
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Attainment of enlightenment without desire
The Noble Truths make us aware that the cause of suffering is desire. Isn't it a desire to become enlightened and attain Nirvana; thus, causes suffering? If you drop the desire, will it be possible to ...
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3answers
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Mahasi Sayadaw Walking
In the tradition of Ven. Mahasi Sayadaw, it is taught that walking and sitting meditation should be practiced balanced with one another. I am wondering where it can be found that the Buddha taught ...
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Is Mr. S. N. Goenka's Vipassana Meditation a Buddhist tradition?
It appeared that most students learning Buddhism will automatically assume Vipassana Meditation taught by Mr. S. N. Goenka synonymous with Buddhist meditation, methods taught by the Buddha, is it so? ...
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3answers
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How should satipatthana be understood in regard to external/internal minds?
"In this way he remains focused internally on the mind in & of itself, or externally on the mind in & of itself, or both internally & externally on the mind in & of itself. (Thanissaro)...
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Can you go through all 7 purifications of insight with walking meditation?
Can you go through all 7 purifications of insight with walking meditation. Can you also go through the 7 purifications of insight by focusing on your steps and saying to yourself "stepping, stepping"?
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How to determine whether a 10 days S.N. Goenka Vipassana course is safe for my friend or relative?
I have recently participated in a 10 days S.N. Goenka Vipassna course, which had incredible positive results. I feel like I shed 20 tons off my heart, and most importantly I am able to practice daily ...
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4answers
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Difference between yatha bhuta and vipassana
Is there a difference between yatha bhuta and vipassana? Or are they just synonyms?
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4answers
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Goenka's vipassana
I can not focus in upper lip: my focus goes in to nostril. I can now watch breath in nostril, but can not stay focussed on upper lip and watch breath. I focus on entire nose and not on upper lip, and ...
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Samatha vs Vipassana. What are the mechanics?
So correct me if im wrong samatha and vipassna are the goals of all forms of meditation. Anapanasati can be either for the goal of samatha or vipassana (or both). Vipassana is very cognitive, ...
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How to approach motivation for work during Vipassana?
My career involves lot of self-learning, and self-motivation. I like my work, which is a reason why my work doesn't feel like work. However, I am finding it hard to incorporate Vipassana into my work. ...
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Shamata and vipassana - loss of willpower
I've been meditating (somewhat regularly) about one or two years back. Mainly shamata, and vipassana lately. Today I feel that my willpower is considerably lower than before.
I mean, I used to be ...
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Is there a Vipassana meditation in the Mahayana tradition?
I was brought up in the Theravada tradition and have little knowledge on Mahayana. Recently some of my friends participated in a Mahayana retreat and praised it highly. One of them even claimed that ...
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How to not slip into Nihilism from Vipassana?
I am sensing this disenchantment from letting go. Meditating on impermanence feels like nihilism to me. There is a fleeting moment of joy from the liberation and just watching emotions go by. And I ...
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How much is the minimal time for practicing Vipassana in daily life for achieving better mindfulness?
How much is the minimal time for practicing Vipassana in daily life for achieving better mindfulness? Is 30 minutes enough?
I ask this question because I currently have some trouble being mindful, ...
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Head oscillations, magnetic force movement, dizzy head after Vipassana
I did my first Vipassana course in Feb 2016. 10 Days.
As a first timer, it went pretty well till the 7th Day.
1) On 5th, 6th and 7th day i was suffering from my head thrown back, or front, or ...
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What is the difference between Satipatthana and Vipassana?
In short, if i practice Vipassana meditation does it means i practice Satipatthana?
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In simple words, how are body sensations linked to moods and feelings?
My teacher rightly emphasizes that sensations when observed equanimously will lead to eradication of suffering and he is very right. I have noticed a big change. But I just don't get the link between ...
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When during meditation we forget where we are
As far as I understand, awareness is an important concept in buddhism, and an asset to develop through meditation.
During meditation (following vipassana as taught by Goenka), it has happened to me ...
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Strange feelings after meditation and mindfulness practice?
I started to meditate half a year ago with my first Vipassana retreat in Bodhgaya. I'm trying to meditate every day since then. Around two months ago I started to practice mindfulness and try to bring ...
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Does Zen distinguish between concentration and insight meditation?
Both the Theravada and Tibetan systems distinguish between two aspects of meditation -- concentration (aka shamata, serenity, calm abiding, shiney or zhiney (Tib.)) and insight (aka vipashyana, ...
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Moderation in meditation for lay people
Vipassana-style meditation has been adapted to treat patients to prevent recurrence of depression and anxiety through MBCT, and to treat chronic pain and stress through MBSR. More info on this can ...
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What is the difference between a Vipassana Jhana and a Samatha Jhana?
Definitions of the term Jhana tend to emphasize the 'mind state' quality it refers to in various states of meditative absorption:
The jhanas are altered states of consciousness which are produced ...
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How to apply meditation in the following difficult situations
I have been practicing vipassanā and mettā at least six months and I have embraced the teachings and practice in my everyday life. However there are certain situations in life where I find difficult ...
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Noting craving for food : Ven. Mahasi Saydaw tradition
Practice : Ven.Mahasi Sayadaw
I mostly practice "daily life" meditation and I found this specific question very important ( I have got some illnesses due to this too)
I get intention to eat when I ...
