Vipassana is a practical technique which enables one to lead a more positive, balanced and happy life

By Preeti Gandhi

Vipassana meditation is a straightforward, scientific way to achieve real peace of mind and lead a happy, useful life.

From time to time everyone suffers agitation, frustration and disharmony. Unforutnately, this suffering does not remain limited; often it is distributed to others. Everyone wishes to live peacefully and harmoniously. Because human beings are social beings, and have to live and interact with others. The problem therefore is how to live harmoniously within, and how to maintain peace and harmony within society.

Vipassana is a systematic process of self-observation which leads to increased awareness, self-control and real peace of mind. It is only out of ignorance that anyone reacts to a situation in a way that is harmful to themselves and to others. With Vipassana, the real causes of this habit of blind reaction can be observed, and so understood and eradicated. Then real action resulting from a balanced mind becomes possible.

In this way Vipassana meditation helps to dissolve the tensions and unravel the knots within and leads to a more positive, balanced and happy life – full of peace, harmony and goodwill for oneself and for others.

While the technique of Vipassana was originally followed by Budhha, the current 10 day course are secular in nature and the founder of these retreats is late SN Goenka. Goenkaji brought Vipassana back to the world. The mediation technique has since wide spread with over 90 centres across the world including in Australia.

The centre at Blackheath, in Blue Mountains near Sydeny was inaugurated in 1983. Ten day courses are held frequently here, specifically for Indians and people from the sub continent once a year the course is hosted during the Autumn months of March/ April. Each year a Hindi / English speaking course is assisted by Hindi speaking assistant teachers and mangers, which also caters to Indian food.

There are no charges for the course not even for the food and accommodation, the courses are conducted on donations and by the volunteers who themselves are mediators.

For more information, contact the centre at https://www.bhumi.dhamma.org/