Balancing inward growth and outward growth is challenging. There are certainly benefits to shutting everything down for 10+ days to practice Vipassana. By slowly releasing agitating emotions, we become more open, peaceful, and compassionate. We start to understand ourselves more deeply while opening the door for deeper and more meaningful relationships. Unfortunately, just like when …
Continue reading Balancing Social Connection and Goenka Vipassana
Eight years ago, Maria and I got engaged with the intention to raise a dhamma family. The volition to sit two hours a day together and the volition to raise children together seemed to be in conflict. We dreamed about being part of a community of meditators that could support our family and our practice. …
I'm a practical dreamer. I like to fantasize about the outstanding possibilities for humanity, and I'm willing to confront the big challenges that stand in the way. Recently, it has been extremely difficult to curate an optimistic vision with so many barriers. The fundamental challenge we're facing is the division. Twenty-five years ago, we felt …
As I prepare for my 8th year of teaching high school science, I once again ponder the message I want to share with my students to inspire their dreams. Our communities continue to be divided, and without a vision to unite our efforts, it's difficult to get teenagers to invest in the future. We push …
I'm trying to unite my Vipassana and worldly lives and it feels a bit vulnerable. Before Vipassana, I lived a successful life but I hadn't found satisfactory answers to some of life's big questions. Twelve years ago, I sat my first 10-day Goenka course and learned a completely new lens to view life. For nine …
Continue reading Converging Two Divergent Worlds Into One Life
As part of an individualistic society, I'm wired to pursue my own success and happiness. When I'm having difficulty sorting through strong disorienting emotions, meditation is a fantastic tool that allows me to sort out my feelings and set a positive course forward. Conversely, when things are going well, I feel entitled to enjoy my …
Is meditating 2 hours a day the solution to all of my problems? Is it the solution to all the world’s problems? I had never meditated before my first Goenka 10 day in 2010, and it opened a new and amazing door where I could explore and grow as a person. From 2011 to 2018 …
Continue reading Finding Stability and Balance Outside of Dhamma
https://insightmyanmar.org/complete-shows/2021/1/5/episode-29-racial-equity-training-in-the-vipassana-organization-of-sn-goenka This podcast interview with Clyde Ford via the Insight Myanmar Podcast strongly connects with me. Within the Goenka organization, my spiritual development reached a plateau that I'm happy with, but I've been stuck trying to figure out how to positively influence my world from this spiritual base. Working towards liberation by solely prioritizing practicing …
Continue reading Social Justice From the Base of Vipassana Meditation as Taught by SN Goenka
Living Vipassana 