Rahul Gandhi credits lack of fatigue to Vipassana; know about this meditation technique

“They asked me not to leave the chair, keep sitting for hours…. (said) don’t you get tired, we have got tired. They asked me the secret behind my energy,” the Congress MP from Kerala’s Wayanad said.

Here’s all you need to know about the meditation practise

One of the most ancient techniques of meditation, Vipassana derives its name from a Buddhist term that can be translated to ‘insight’. The mindful meditation practice involves observing one’s thoughts and emotions as they are, without judging or dwelling on them.

“Vipassana is a 10-day meditation course offered at Vipassana centres/pagodas. It is a technique passed down from generation to generation by Gautama Buddha. Vipassana is pure meditation and is not affiliated with any religion or ritual. It is not about becoming a monk and giving up on worldly pursuits but about living in equanimity and being at peace with life. It is taught free of cost, and the Vipassana centers run on a donation basis,” yoga teacher and therapist Priyamvada M told indianexpress.com.

Devotees offer their prayers at Global Vipassana Pagoda at Gorai where a 21 feet statue of Lord Buddha donated by Govt of Myanmar was installed (Express Photo by Mahendra Parikh)

The first step of Vipassana is all about observing your breath. “When your mind becomes sharp and sensitive enough to observe your bodily sensations, you get to experience the mind-matter connection. That is, how your thoughts create sensations in your body. Your thoughts are the basis/foundation of how you are feeling,” she expressed.

As part of the course, you need to meditate for 10½ hours per day, preferably in sukhasana (with your legs folded and your back straight).

“You cannot speak with any other meditator or even have a casual chat with the teacher/volunteers. You can approach the teacher for guidance on the technique or discuss logistical issues with the volunteers later on,” the expert mentioned.

What happens in such sessions?

You need to follow the principles of Dhamma/ Dharma, the universal law of nature. Further, it involves walking on the noble eightfold path, categorised broadly into Sila (Morality), Samadhi (concentration), and Pañña (wisdom, insight), explained yogini Ira Trivedi.

According to Trivedi, there are three total steps to this mental training.

*The first step is to practice Sila (Morality). It involves abstaining from actions that cause harm. They undertake five moral precepts, practising abstention from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and the use of intoxicants. If one follows this closely, this helps the mind to calm down significantly and prepares for the next step.

*The second step goes on for the first three and half days. It requires one to practice Anapana meditation, which focuses attention on the breath. This practice helps to develop Samadhi (concentration) and gain control over the unruly mind.

*The third step is the most important one. It goes on for the last six and a half days. It involves the practice of Vipassana. It is where one penetrates one’s entire physical and mental structure with the clarity of Panna (wisdom, insight). It helps in purifying the mind of underlying mental impurities.

“The results will only come gradually through continued practice. The ten-day training is for learning the essentials of Vipassana so that it can be applied in daily life,” said Trivedi.

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