5 Distinguishing Attributes I gained after practicing Vipassana Meditation

I submitted myself to the teachings of Vipassana mediation in the year 2016 after undergoing a rigorous 10 days meditation retreat at the Global Vipassana Pagoda in Mumbai. My dear friend and colleague, Pramod Pandey introduced me to the fundamentals on Vipassana and I was very much drawn towards it’s inclusive philosophy. I will not go into the details of the Vipassana process which are quite elaborate and extensive but I would like to share the profound experience that I had over the 03 years of practicing this experiential knowledge. 

1. Focus

The mind is an all wavering element. Even if you are not thinking, you are thinking of not thinking. There are multitudes of thoughts that bombard the mind and this powerful brain absorbs all of it while jumping from one thought to another with absolute no control over it. In Vipassana mediation, the practitioner is required to accept the reality of the present by remaning motionless for an hour while concentrating on the breath. The breath is guaged for it’s inward and outward movement and also for it’s longetivity. When I started to practice Vipassana it was extremely difficult to keep the uncontrolled thoughts at bay. Over time I could increase my concentration levels and thereby focus. When the mind is calm I realized that the focus to reach the depths of the mind increase. Which remains true for any activity that you wish to undertake. Once you are in control of the senses of your body, your thoughts are routed through the “focus filter” which you have installed though practice. Focus enables efficient effort in every activity that you perform. You can do more in and with less. 

2. Tranquility

Infact, calmness is the stepping stone to achieving focus. You cannot have a focused outlook unless the mind is calm. The one hour sessions of Vipassana mediation everyday leads to a lifestyle of calmness. I have experienced that better decisions are made once you are in a state of tranquil. The self doubt extinguishes and ignites a sense of correctness and certainty. I have measured myself against my previous self and have noticed that my success percentage in taking right decisions had increased and also noted that decisions thus made are more inclusive and foresighted. Physically, being tranquil helped me control my agitation and clinical measures. Life slows down in moments and you have a better understanding of the environment that surrounds you. 

3. Empathy 

Vipassana mediation has brought within me a sense of empathetic belief. I have become more inclusive person. My acceptance of people and situations has increased. I’m no more just sympathetic but try to understand the great traumas that people undergo everyday in different flavours and have begun to place myself in their position and look through their perspective. This has helped me to move out of the self centric domain that I previously had and have succeeded in enlarging the contours of my acceptance of others. 

4. Compassion

This is one attribute that Vipassana gifts every meditator. At the end of every hourly session there is a small after session practice which involves seeking benefits gained from Vipassana to be spread across all humanity. The meditator becomes habitual of seeking happiness amongst all and this inculactes a sense of compassion at all times. I have become more compassionate on the same grounds. This scientific technique makes you a good prisioner of habit and cultivates the principles of compassion through regular practice. I have noticed myself offering help to the people who require assistance of any kind which brings me great joy and happiness which I dissuaded myself from, on earlier occasions. 

5. Acceptance 

The key to true happiness is maintaining balance in the mind over the various situations that come across in your life. Both euphoria and dejection are to be accepted as part of the present which are bound to change in the future and therefore must be treated with equanimity. Acceptance is the key and maintaining the bodily senses in a balanced manner through practice deservedly benefits the mind and body. This scientific method of meditation provides the tools to accept different phases in life with ease and with a smile. The power of acceptance has helped me deal with various setbacks and pain with zeal and confidence. 

“God give me the serenity to accept things which cannot be changed”

Serenity Prayer
Dr. Reinhold Niebuhr

I strongly recommend to experience Vipassana teachings by enrolling for the 10 days course at any of the nearby centers for reaching the depths of your mind which is an universe in itself. 

Thanks for reading.