My Great Asset – Vipasana

My Great Asset – Vipasana

My first acquaintance with Vipasana was in 1997 at Igatpuri in presence of Guruji himself. The very first lesson was of humility and self control. Unless you surrender to Guru, no teaching can give you full results. Later he introduced us to the technique of Aanapan to achieve full concentration on breathing. The actual technique of Vipasana came on the 4th day when he taught us how to keep the concentration firmly on breathing and yet be able to consciously feel and watch the sensations arising in each tiniest part of the body. The sensation felt is neither to be enjoyed not to be cursed but the Sadhak has to be neutral and equanimous witness to them. The Sadhak has to understand and appreciate with Pragya that these sensations arising in the body are as ephemeral as a bubble of air arising on the surface of the water.

On finishing the 10 days course, for ever I kept wondering that this was the Vipasana technique, first taught by Buddha who had left all his pleasures, palaces and wealth to find the solution for three eternal sources of grief for mankind namely, illness, old age and death. I am always conscious of the tips of Guruji.

Some years later when my son planned to go abroad for higher studies, I felt desparate to give him some tools and technique to be used in critical moments. I thought of none other than Vipasana and we both once again went through the course. Both of us tremendously feel better to have been equipped with the knowledge of Vipasana.

I could not take up Vipasana as a daily routine but occasionally an inner urge comes and I go into Vipasana Meditation for 1 to 2 hours and I have some strange experiences. Once after suffering continuously for more than 15 days with severe knee pain, I felt an urge for Vipasana. After 2 hours I felt my knee pain had miraculously gone and has not returned since then. On another occasion I was required to wait for a long time at a cold place with no warm clothing. After suffering for an hour or so I found myself concentrating on my breath. Generally, it requires some time of Anapan before you can go into Vipasana phase. On that day almost within a minute I felt concentration and just after 5 minutes of Vipasana my shivering and cold was completely gone. I continued in that place for next 4 hours without any need for warm clothing.

Even though I am not a regular practitioner of Vipasana I feel that by the grace of God an inner voice tells me to perform Vipasana for short occasions and this leads not only to physical relief from pain but also peace of mind and clarity.