I look at this picture and cannot help but smile. From it, the sensations I feel remind me of the warm feeling of love I had as a young boy looking at my grandfather. It makes me think of the time when everything was new and an adventure. I remember during this time recognising how …
Author: Anonymous
The Bad Vipassana Meditator: What Five Precepts?
You know that feeling you get when you go to slurp some warm chai tea (or coffee, you choose) only to find it has gone cold? That’s the feeling I get when someone brings up the five precepts. Should I be focused on lighting souls on fire with the radical clarity this practice bestows, or …
Continue reading The Bad Vipassana Meditator: What Five Precepts?
Finding Inner Space
As we continue our practice and navigate the sensations as they arise and pass, we find more space inside of us when we are concentrated. That space, sometimes can be felt physically. Scanning our body sometimes we feel that we are taller/longer. Another days when we are not so grounded, or "in the mood" we …
Reality As It Is
The fifth precept: to abstain from intoxicants, has been a part of Vipassana I have not seen the need of to try and maintain. But thanks to many of you who commented on my last post, my understanding of the importance of this precept has shifted something deep inside, which has started whispering that maybe …
Giving Up Alcohol
The 5th precept - abstaining from intoxicants- has always been a part of Vipassana that I have conveniently forgotten. My job, the people in my life, where I live - key elements that make up who I am, tend to revolve around alcohol. Being able to choose from time to time to enjoy a good whiskey or …
Just Rushing By
“You always look like you’re running from somewhere,” said a coworker as I rushed by. “Well, I always am.” I laughed as I said it. But if how we talk about time reflects and affects our relationship with time, then my response—which felt natural and true—is worthy of reflection. I’ve done a lot of simplifying …
Vipassana and Mindfulness Meditation
The SIY ( Search Inside Yourself) organization founded by Chad Meng Tan had recently organized a small competition in which we had to share a story of how meditation has impacted our lives. The most liked story on the forum was expected to win a free copy of SIY book written Chand Meng Tan and …
Pain: a Blessing in Disguise
My second ten day course was overall less of a rollercoaster than my first. Samādhi was not as strong; meaning sensations were milder, but as a result, I remained more focused to understanding the practice and equanimity. I also had the good fortune of being taught by the wizardly, senior A.T. Michael Gelber who imparted much helpful …
Exploring an experience at a deeper level
In one of the recent posts I shared an experience to explain the difference between knowing the path and walking the path. I would like to explore that experience further and understand different components in the same. I would strongly recommend this post to understand the context of following writing. Awareness: Sanket believes that the …
Overflowing my Cup
Last time, I wrote about my resistance towards using thoughts or past memories to arouse Metta. I've since spoken with a senior A.T. about this matter and he agreed that yes using the imagination is a “fake it till you make it” approach to Metta. He also reminded me that “making it” means over flowing …
Living Vipassana 