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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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36
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13answers
43k views

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 ...
7
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2answers
633 views

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 ...
10
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4answers
2k views

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 ...
6
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5answers
2k views

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 ...
13
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6answers
2k views

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) ...
8
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5answers
4k views

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?
14
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3answers
4k views

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 ...
4
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2answers
328 views

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 ...
3
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2answers
535 views

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 ...
5
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3answers
603 views

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 ...
8
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5answers
321 views

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, ...
7
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3answers
3k views

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 ...
4
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5answers
501 views

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 ...
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2answers
85 views

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!
6
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5answers
4k views

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 ...
4
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4answers
2k views

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 ...
4
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4answers
208 views

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 ...
-3
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1answer
104 views

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 ...
22
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4answers
13k views

What are the differences between vipassana and mindfulness meditation?

I have been reading about vipassana and mindfulness meditation but so far I havenā€™t fully understood the differences. Is mindfulness meditation an aspect or a variation of vipassana meditation?
14
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7answers
3k views

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 ...
14
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5answers
2k views

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 ...
7
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4answers
3k views

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 ...
12
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9answers
994 views

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 ...
5
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3answers
283 views

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.
8
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3answers
451 views

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
664 views

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 ...
7
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5answers
1k views

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
585 views

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 ...
6
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4answers
2k views

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? ...
6
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3answers
484 views

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)...
6
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3answers
227 views

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"?
5
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7answers
1k views

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 ...
3
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4answers
1k views

Difference between yatha bhuta and vipassana

Is there a difference between yatha bhuta and vipassana? Or are they just synonyms?
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5answers
304 views

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. ...
11
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7answers
2k views

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 ...
6
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8answers
5k views

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 ...
10
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5answers
2k views

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 ...
9
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11answers
8k views

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, ...
4
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5answers
5k views

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 ...
10
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5answers
6k views

What is the difference between Satipatthana and Vipassana?

In short, if i practice Vipassana meditation does it means i practice Satipatthana?
9
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2answers
2k views

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 ...
7
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5answers
2k views

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 ...
14
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4answers
5k views

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 ...
11
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3answers
1k views

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, ...
7
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5answers
469 views

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 ...
7
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3answers
330 views

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 ...
6
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5answers
2k views

Is Anapanasati a complete path? Does it, by itself, lead to nirvana?

I have been doing meditation of various forms (Goenka body-scanning, anapanasati, just sitting, kaya, citta, and vedana nupassana, etc.) but am trying to figure out something about anapanasati in ...
6
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2answers
701 views

In what way(s) does engaging in sexual activity affect meditation practice?

Does sexual activity (masturbation and beyond) hinder vipassana meditation practice? If so, does anyone know through experience or references exactly how this activity affects the practice? For ...
6
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1answer
2k views

Did Ledi Sayadaw invent a vipassana technique?

According to the currently available historical sources, did Ledi Sayadaw invent his technique of meditation, or did he learn it in the caves of the Sagaing Hills? Is there enough information to tell ...
6
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2answers
554 views

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 ...

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