Their volition is good, but the few articles that appear in media are often from journalists yet to take a Vipassana course. Vipassana is unique, unlike anything else in this world because its ultimate goal is to take the practitioner beyond the realms of the six sense doors of this world, beyond the field of mind and matter. So very difficult, if not quite impossible, for yet-to-be-meditators to understand what is Vipassana, leave alone accurately write about it with their understanding of the mundane world.
It can be like writing an article about ice cream and taste of ice cream without ever having had an ice cream in life.
Which is why it is highly recommended that reporters, journalists, editors expressing professional interest in Vipassana are asked to first take a 10-day Vipassana course. Otherwise, tell them not to write anything about Vipassana. No information is better than wrong information. And Vipassana largely is shared worldwide by word of mouth.
Likewise, the above article in ESPN contained some common misconceptions:
1.
"2,500-year-old Buddhist practice"
Nothing "Buddhist" about Vipassana practice.
"During his lifetime, the Buddha did not convert a single person to Buddhism," writes the Principal Teacher of Vipassana Sayagyi U Goenka. "One may be surprised hearing this because we have been hearing, speaking, reading and writing contrary to this fact for such a long time. The mind is conditioned to believing this misconception. But the historical truth is that the Buddha neither taught 'Buddhism' nor converted anyone to being a 'Buddhist'.
"The Buddha taught Vipassana, the universal, non-sectarian practice to remove self-generated suffering - by removing deep-rooted defilements in the mind. The Vipassana Research Institute (VRI) CD contains the entire teaching of the Buddha and related literature in Pali language - 146 volumes with 52,602 pages and 7,448,248 words. Using technology to search through this vast literature, this fact is established: in the entire teaching of the Buddha, as well as in related commentaries, sub-commentaries, the word "Buddhist" has not been used with regard to his universal teachings, or to those who walked on the path he taught.
"Instead, the word used everywhere for the Buddha's teaching is "Dhamma", not "Buddhist Dhamma". Whenever any adjective precedes the word "Dhamma", it is qualitative, not sectarian. Like saddhamma (true Dhamma), ariyo dhammo (noble Dhamma), dhammo sanātano (eternal Dhamma), and so on. Those benefiting from practicing the Buddha's teaching have not been called Buddhists anywhere in the authentic texts, but these six words were used: dhammim, dhammiko, dhammattho, dhammacarim, dhammavihari, dhammanusari."
- Sayagyi U Goenka, The Buddha did not teach 'Buddhism'.
2.
Vipassana is not "breathing in and exhaling" as given in the ESPN article.
The writer meant Anapana, the preparatory exercise in a 10-day Vipassana course before Vipassana is taught on Day 4:
What is Anapana?
Anapana is a non-sectarian exercise to strengthen, concentrate the mind by using the natural respiration as the object of meditation.
The practitioner objectively observes the natural breath, as it comes in, goes out. No regulation of the breath. Anapana has nothing to do with breathing exercises that regulate the respiration.
More information: Anapana
Register here to learn Anapana (until Vipassana courses resume worldwide, after the Covid-19 lockdown): a live (free) Anapana tutorial session on Webex
Anapana for children
3.
"Before his death in 2013, Goenka launched 200 centers across the globe."
No, he did not launch 200 centres (the number is 206 now, and 145 gipsy camp locations)
* New Vipassana centres are established with local Vipassana students deciding it would be beneficial to have a Vipassana centre in their area. Then they get in touch with an existing Vipassana centre and are informed of guidelines for establishing a new Vipassana centre, how to form a not-for-profit registered trust etc.
* Then local students search for suitable land in the area for a Vipassana centre, get it approved by the Vipassana teacher for the area, and then buy the land through voluntary donations from existing students.
* They set about establishing the new centre in accordance with a template followed worldwide.
* Sayagyi U Goenka's involvement in the new centres was often limited to giving it a Pali name, starting with the word 'Dhamma' - such as Dhamma Thali in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
* Trustees are appointed on an annual basis on voluntary work to manage the centre, under the guidance of a Vipassana teacher.
* Accounts of the Vipassana centre are audited annually by a reputed chartered accountant firm.
* Sayagyi U Goenka (1924 - 2013) was directly involved in establishing the main centre
Dhamma Giri (in Igatpuri, 150 km from Bombay) but as far as is known he did not instruct anyone,"Okay, you better start a new centre" here or there.
* He has instructed that there should never be any advertisement for Vipassana. Word of mouth is sufficient.
4.
"There is no set fee for the 10-day course, but students usually make donations -- anything from $10 to $10,000"
There is no fee - set or otherwise.
Nobody goes around asking any student for a donation at the end of a Vipassana course. A donation table is kept in a corner on Day 10 - when the rule of silence breaks, and whoever wants can go and give a donation according to volition and means.
What are the charges/fee for a Vipassana course?
Mr S. N. Goenka: Charges?! Dhamma is priceless! There is no fee and there can never be a fee charged for teaching Vipassana. Vipassana courses are completely free of charge. Earlier, for a short time, some small actuals were charged for boarding and lodging expenses. Fortunately, that has been removed. So one does not have to pay anything to attend a Vipassana course.
What are the reasons for no fees being charged for doing a Vipassana course?
SNG: One reason, as I said, is that Dhamma is priceless. It cannot be valued in money. Another reason is that a student taking a Vipassana course practices renunciation from the householders' responsibilities, for the duration of the course. He or she lives like a monk or a nun, on the charity of others. This is to reduce the ego, a big cause of one's misery. If one even pays a small token fee, then the ego gets built up, and one may say, "Oh, I want this. This facility is not to my liking", "I can do whatever I want here", and so on. This ego becomes a big hindrance in progressing on the path of Dhamma. This is another reason why no fee is charged. This has been the Dhamma tradition for millennia. The Buddha did not charge any fee for distributing this invaluable gem of Vipassana!
How are expenses met for a Vipassana course, since no fee is charged from students?
SNG: The expenses are met from voluntary donations (dana) from students who have completed at least one Vipassana course. The donation, in money and voluntary services, is given with the Dhamma volition that, "As I benefited by getting this wonderful technique due to the generous dana of others, may others also benefit ". Most important is the volition with which the dana is given. Even a handful of fertile soil given with a pure Dhamma volition, is far more beneficial than a bag of gold given with ego, or with no Dhamma volition. The dana given with a pure mind gives benefits to the giver. However, this does not mean that somebody will go around at the end of the course, asking every student if he wants to give a donation. A table is put in a quiet corner, and whoever wishes to give dana goes there and gives it, that's all.
---
No fees are paid to Vipassana teachers. All teachers are required to have an independent means of livelihood, source of income to support their Vipassana service. "Never make Vipassana a business/livelihood " - Sayagyi U Goenka.
---
5.
"Miller explained that everything a person does at the physical level is affected by the health of his mind, and everything a person does at the mental level is affected by the health of his body. Focusing energy on one point -- breathing -- neutralizes the fight between the physical and mental being. Lahiri is drawn to this, Miller said, because a golfer uses the same technique on the course."
Not quite. Obviously what had been explained to the ESPN reporter flew over the head. Encourage reporters, journalists, editors to take a 10-day Vipassana course, if they wish to report about it. At least request them to look up the Vipassana website. They can least copy-paste accurate information from the Vipassana website, we have no objection.
Mind and body are interlinked. And the uniqueness of Vipassana is that it allows us to explore this mind-body phenomenon called 'I' as a holistic entity - at the level of mind-body interaction. This interaction happens at the level of bodily sensations that a Vipassana practitioner is trained to become aware of - with equanimity.
Bodily sensations are not new. What is new is our Vipassana-enabled faculty to be aware of them.
Sensations arise and pass away every moment in our life - from the moment we are born to the moment we die. Vipassana opens up this faculty of awareness of sensations - just as opening the eyes give sight.
Vipassana is insight.
Earlier we gave all attention to the outside world. Now for the first time, we give all attention to the inner world.
The real cause of suffering is within. The way out of suffering is within. Happiness is within.
The deepest part of the mind is 24/7 connected to our bodily sensations (biochemical flow), not to anything in the outside world. For instance, even in deep sleep we rub a mosquito bite or get up to go to the loo. So by working at the level of sensations, we work at the deepest root-level of the mind where habit patterns are formed.
Earlier we blindly reacted to these sensations with craving or aversion. Deep-rooted habit patterns are formed of reaction to particular external situations. Vipassana gradually breaks that habit pattern. How? By training the mind to observe - with equanimity - any sensations that arise with sensory experience (including thoughts) instead of blind reaction. Just observe, as a scientist objectively observes a lab phenomenon.
Every sensation becomes a tool to develop equanimity.
Equanimity is purity.
Sensations mean any physical feeling, from gross sensations such as pain, itching to subtler sensations such as tingling, a flow of undercurrent. As the mind progressively becomes sharper and purer, it feels subtler and subtler sensations. Sensations are the biochemical flow of subatomic particles arising and passing from mind-body interaction.
We observe laws of the universe, the truth of the cosmos, at the level of sensations. The basic law of nature: impermanence. Everything changes, every moment.
The laws of nature are the same inside, outside. The subtlest law of nature is so subtle that it can be experienced only within - experienced, not described.
Vipassana can be called Quantum Physics in practice.
Since the above article was about a sports person, here is a cricket analogy: Vipassana is the entire focus on this delivery of this over, nothing else in the mind. The previous ball that got the batsman beaten or a dropped catch is left aside, no fear of the future of getting out. Just entire attention on this ball. What former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni often said "being in the present moment."
Anyone being equanimous (very balanced mind) is to an extent observing equanimity at the level of sensations, knowingly or unknowingly.
Likewise, Jesus Christ whom Sayagyi U Goenka called "Prince among Saints" in the evening discourses during a 10-day Vipassana course. Jesus generated compassion and forgiveness for the Roman soldiers who were even then torturing him to death. Such compassion was born of superhuman equanimity to sensations when having iron nails hammered into his hands and feet to a wooden cross.
By whatever name or no name, Vipassana is Awareness of bodily sensations with Equanimity - moment to moment.
Vipassana is about being with the reality of the present moment, at the level of impermanent bodily sensations passing away as they arise. Wisdom comes naturally into play.
Vipassana is of infinite benefits for all, in the golf course or cricket field of life.
2.
Vipassana is not "breathing in and exhaling" as given in the ESPN article.
The writer meant Anapana, the preparatory exercise in a 10-day Vipassana course before Vipassana is taught on Day 4:
What is Anapana?
Anapana is a non-sectarian exercise to strengthen, concentrate the mind by using the natural respiration as the object of meditation.
The practitioner objectively observes the natural breath, as it comes in, goes out. No regulation of the breath. Anapana has nothing to do with breathing exercises that regulate the respiration.
More information: Anapana
Register here to learn Anapana (until Vipassana courses resume worldwide, after the Covid-19 lockdown): a live (free) Anapana tutorial session on Webex
Anapana for children
3.
"Before his death in 2013, Goenka launched 200 centers across the globe."
No, he did not launch 200 centres (the number is 206 now, and 145 gipsy camp locations)
* New Vipassana centres are established with local Vipassana students deciding it would be beneficial to have a Vipassana centre in their area. Then they get in touch with an existing Vipassana centre and are informed of guidelines for establishing a new Vipassana centre, how to form a not-for-profit registered trust etc.
* Then local students search for suitable land in the area for a Vipassana centre, get it approved by the Vipassana teacher for the area, and then buy the land through voluntary donations from existing students.
* They set about establishing the new centre in accordance with a template followed worldwide.
* Sayagyi U Goenka's involvement in the new centres was often limited to giving it a Pali name, starting with the word 'Dhamma' - such as Dhamma Thali in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
* Trustees are appointed on an annual basis on voluntary work to manage the centre, under the guidance of a Vipassana teacher.
* Accounts of the Vipassana centre are audited annually by a reputed chartered accountant firm.
* Sayagyi U Goenka (1924 - 2013) was directly involved in establishing the main centre
Dhamma Giri (in Igatpuri, 150 km from Bombay) but as far as is known he did not instruct anyone,"Okay, you better start a new centre" here or there.
* He has instructed that there should never be any advertisement for Vipassana. Word of mouth is sufficient.
4.
"There is no set fee for the 10-day course, but students usually make donations -- anything from $10 to $10,000"
There is no fee - set or otherwise.
Nobody goes around asking any student for a donation at the end of a Vipassana course. A donation table is kept in a corner on Day 10 - when the rule of silence breaks, and whoever wants can go and give a donation according to volition and means.
What are the charges/fee for a Vipassana course?
Mr S. N. Goenka: Charges?! Dhamma is priceless! There is no fee and there can never be a fee charged for teaching Vipassana. Vipassana courses are completely free of charge. Earlier, for a short time, some small actuals were charged for boarding and lodging expenses. Fortunately, that has been removed. So one does not have to pay anything to attend a Vipassana course.
What are the reasons for no fees being charged for doing a Vipassana course?
SNG: One reason, as I said, is that Dhamma is priceless. It cannot be valued in money. Another reason is that a student taking a Vipassana course practices renunciation from the householders' responsibilities, for the duration of the course. He or she lives like a monk or a nun, on the charity of others. This is to reduce the ego, a big cause of one's misery. If one even pays a small token fee, then the ego gets built up, and one may say, "Oh, I want this. This facility is not to my liking", "I can do whatever I want here", and so on. This ego becomes a big hindrance in progressing on the path of Dhamma. This is another reason why no fee is charged. This has been the Dhamma tradition for millennia. The Buddha did not charge any fee for distributing this invaluable gem of Vipassana!
How are expenses met for a Vipassana course, since no fee is charged from students?
SNG: The expenses are met from voluntary donations (dana) from students who have completed at least one Vipassana course. The donation, in money and voluntary services, is given with the Dhamma volition that, "As I benefited by getting this wonderful technique due to the generous dana of others, may others also benefit ". Most important is the volition with which the dana is given. Even a handful of fertile soil given with a pure Dhamma volition, is far more beneficial than a bag of gold given with ego, or with no Dhamma volition. The dana given with a pure mind gives benefits to the giver. However, this does not mean that somebody will go around at the end of the course, asking every student if he wants to give a donation. A table is put in a quiet corner, and whoever wishes to give dana goes there and gives it, that's all.
---
No fees are paid to Vipassana teachers. All teachers are required to have an independent means of livelihood, source of income to support their Vipassana service. "Never make Vipassana a business/livelihood " - Sayagyi U Goenka.
---
5.
"Miller explained that everything a person does at the physical level is affected by the health of his mind, and everything a person does at the mental level is affected by the health of his body. Focusing energy on one point -- breathing -- neutralizes the fight between the physical and mental being. Lahiri is drawn to this, Miller said, because a golfer uses the same technique on the course."
Not quite. Obviously what had been explained to the ESPN reporter flew over the head. Encourage reporters, journalists, editors to take a 10-day Vipassana course, if they wish to report about it. At least request them to look up the Vipassana website. They can least copy-paste accurate information from the Vipassana website, we have no objection.
Mind and body are interlinked. And the uniqueness of Vipassana is that it allows us to explore this mind-body phenomenon called 'I' as a holistic entity - at the level of mind-body interaction. This interaction happens at the level of bodily sensations that a Vipassana practitioner is trained to become aware of - with equanimity.
Bodily sensations are not new. What is new is our Vipassana-enabled faculty to be aware of them.
Sensations arise and pass away every moment in our life - from the moment we are born to the moment we die. Vipassana opens up this faculty of awareness of sensations - just as opening the eyes give sight.
Vipassana is insight.
Earlier we gave all attention to the outside world. Now for the first time, we give all attention to the inner world.
The real cause of suffering is within. The way out of suffering is within. Happiness is within.
The deepest part of the mind is 24/7 connected to our bodily sensations (biochemical flow), not to anything in the outside world. For instance, even in deep sleep we rub a mosquito bite or get up to go to the loo. So by working at the level of sensations, we work at the deepest root-level of the mind where habit patterns are formed.
Earlier we blindly reacted to these sensations with craving or aversion. Deep-rooted habit patterns are formed of reaction to particular external situations. Vipassana gradually breaks that habit pattern. How? By training the mind to observe - with equanimity - any sensations that arise with sensory experience (including thoughts) instead of blind reaction. Just observe, as a scientist objectively observes a lab phenomenon.
Every sensation becomes a tool to develop equanimity.
Equanimity is purity.
Sensations mean any physical feeling, from gross sensations such as pain, itching to subtler sensations such as tingling, a flow of undercurrent. As the mind progressively becomes sharper and purer, it feels subtler and subtler sensations. Sensations are the biochemical flow of subatomic particles arising and passing from mind-body interaction.
We observe laws of the universe, the truth of the cosmos, at the level of sensations. The basic law of nature: impermanence. Everything changes, every moment.
The laws of nature are the same inside, outside. The subtlest law of nature is so subtle that it can be experienced only within - experienced, not described.
Vipassana can be called Quantum Physics in practice.
Since the above article was about a sports person, here is a cricket analogy: Vipassana is the entire focus on this delivery of this over, nothing else in the mind. The previous ball that got the batsman beaten or a dropped catch is left aside, no fear of the future of getting out. Just entire attention on this ball. What former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni often said "being in the present moment."
Anyone being equanimous (very balanced mind) is to an extent observing equanimity at the level of sensations, knowingly or unknowingly.
Likewise, Jesus Christ whom Sayagyi U Goenka called "Prince among Saints" in the evening discourses during a 10-day Vipassana course. Jesus generated compassion and forgiveness for the Roman soldiers who were even then torturing him to death. Such compassion was born of superhuman equanimity to sensations when having iron nails hammered into his hands and feet to a wooden cross.
By whatever name or no name, Vipassana is Awareness of bodily sensations with Equanimity - moment to moment.
Vipassana is about being with the reality of the present moment, at the level of impermanent bodily sensations passing away as they arise. Wisdom comes naturally into play.
Vipassana is of infinite benefits for all, in the golf course or cricket field of life.
