Dear Friends,
I would like to use Vipassana meditation to explore the structure of certain emotions, such as fear and anxiety especially after that which I experience when I stutter.
I just wanted to ask if anyone can give any advice on how to do this? In the Goenkaji technique (and Vipassana in general?), Goenkaji says that when practicing Vipassana just notice what sensations arise in the moment. I believe one doesn't make a conscious effort to create any emotions and instead just notice what rises and passes naturally?
However, how does one really explore the structure of negative emotions?
You see with stuttering, it's so unconscious, it can happen very quickly when I'm in everyday situations.
Can I practice creating the negative emotions consciously (which we can all do when we re-create experiences inside of us) when meditating to understand their structure, or does this defeat the purpose of Vipassana?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Cheers,
mm
Can someone please clarify how to meditate Vipassana?
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- Bhikkhu Pesala
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Re: Can someone please clarify how to meditate Vipassana?
Put yourself in a position where you have to speak and while speaking pay attention to the feelings and symptoms of fear such a sweating, heart racing, etc.
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Re: Can someone please clarify how to meditate Vipassana?
I recommend that you actually attend a ten-day course if you are interested in exploring Vipassana Mediation as taught by SN Goenka. http://www.dhamma.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; It will give you some depth of practice as well as a supportive learning environment.motivateman wrote: I just wanted to ask if anyone can give any advice on how to do this? In the Goenkaji technique (and Vipassana in general?), Goenkaji says that when practicing Vipassana just notice what sensations arise in the moment. I believe one doesn't make a conscious effort to create any emotions and instead just notice what rises and passes naturally?
Emotions are composed of cittas, dhammas, vedanas and rupas. In vipassana meditation we observe the phenomenology of experience so that when emotion arises in the mind, we are focused on observing the rise and fall of phenomena. Within the Goenka 'tradition', the primary meditative focus is vedana (sensation). By observing vedana we are indirectly observing the mind.motivateman wrote:However, how does one really explore the structure of negative emotions?
Yes, I understand. But so are so many unwholesome patterns of reaction/behaviour. Vipassana will also help you to become conscious of what was previously hidden from view. It will help you to also develop equanimity which, with awareness, will assist you to free yourself from your misery.motivateman wrote:You see with stuttering, it's so unconscious, it can happen very quickly when I'm in everyday situations.
You might actually be doing more harm than good by strengthening the bond between unwholesome behaviour or emotion with particular sensory inputs. The whole point of Vipassana is to observe whatever manifests. See things as they really are. Choiceless observation. Its better that you get some supervised instruction and learn vipassana properly whether it is within the Goenka tradition or another tradition (such as Mahasi method). This will be of benefit to you.motivateman wrote:Can I practice creating the negative emotions consciously (which we can all do when we re-create experiences inside of us) when meditating to understand their structure, or does this defeat the purpose of Vipassana?
kind regards
Ben
“No lists of things to be done. The day providential to itself. The hour. There is no later. This is later. All things of grace and beauty such that one holds them to one's heart have a common provenance in pain. Their birth in grief and ashes.”
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Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725
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- Cormac McCarthy, The Road
Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725
Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global Relief • UNHCR
e: [email protected]..
- phalanyani
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Re: Can someone please clarify how to meditate Vipassana?
If you don't have the opportunity to do a retreat with a teacher, which is always the first option, check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/user/yuttadhammo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
or http://www.sirimangalo.org/files/howtoiso.zip" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; to download files
or http://www.sirimangalo.org/videos" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; to order a CD or to check for "how to meditate" text
if all these links do not work, google: how to meditate, yuttadhammo
it's a very introduction to vipassana meditation
sorry, I'm not so firm with computers and not sure how to insert links correctly ...
http://www.youtube.com/user/yuttadhammo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
or http://www.sirimangalo.org/files/howtoiso.zip" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; to download files
or http://www.sirimangalo.org/videos" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; to order a CD or to check for "how to meditate" text
if all these links do not work, google: how to meditate, yuttadhammo
it's a very introduction to vipassana meditation
sorry, I'm not so firm with computers and not sure how to insert links correctly ...
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Re: Can someone please clarify how to meditate Vipassana?
Hello Mm
You are trying to overcome a defilement- this is by definition samatha practice and not vipassana. It helps to be clear about what you are hoping to achieve- otherwise you are looking at many months down the wrong path. Vipassana helps to dispel ignorance or avijja by seeing the three characteristics of phenomena ie impermanence, unsatisfactoriness and non-self.
I would suggest being mindful of thoughts and emotions (ala 'mindfulness of the mind'). This will initially make you more sensitive to the defilements which arise around the act of speaking. Once you are able to identify them I would suggest using methods like the ones mentioned in the Vitakkasantana sutta to remove/wipe out those defilements.
With metta
Matheesha
You are trying to overcome a defilement- this is by definition samatha practice and not vipassana. It helps to be clear about what you are hoping to achieve- otherwise you are looking at many months down the wrong path. Vipassana helps to dispel ignorance or avijja by seeing the three characteristics of phenomena ie impermanence, unsatisfactoriness and non-self.
I would suggest being mindful of thoughts and emotions (ala 'mindfulness of the mind'). This will initially make you more sensitive to the defilements which arise around the act of speaking. Once you are able to identify them I would suggest using methods like the ones mentioned in the Vitakkasantana sutta to remove/wipe out those defilements.
With metta
Matheesha
With Metta
Karuna
Mudita
& Upekkha
Karuna
Mudita
& Upekkha
Re: Can someone please clarify how to meditate Vipassana?
Vipassana is One Tool Among Many, and reading the link may greatly assist you.
- "And how is it, bhikkhus, that by protecting oneself one protects others? By the pursuit, development, and cultivation of the four establishments of mindfulness. It is in such a way that by protecting oneself one protects others.
"And how is it, bhikkhus, that by protecting others one protects oneself? By patience, harmlessness, goodwill, and sympathy. It is in such a way that by protecting others one protects oneself.
- Sedaka Sutta [SN 47.19]