Memoirs Of An Insightful Journey

Dear One,

Greetings!

I am glad to be back to the unreal world. For the past ten days or so, I had gone for a Vipassana retreat at Igatpuri, Mumbai. I have to admit; it was the most demanding days of my life. The path of self-exploration is not at all easy and it comes with a hefty price tag of self-denial.

To give a brief history of Vipassana, you can refer to my previous article, "The Insight Meditation". Coming back to my experience of this ancient technique, firstly, in order to learn it, you have to undergo a 10-day retreat, replete with noble silence during the entire stay.

All who attend a Vipassana course must conscientiously undertake the following five precepts for the duration of the course:

• To abstain from killing any being 
• To abstain from stealing 
• To abstain from all sexual activity 
• To abstain from telling lies 
• To abstain from all intoxicants 

Vipassana is not -

• A rite or ritual based on blind faith 
• An intellectual nor a philosophical entertainment 
• A rest cure, a holiday, or an opportunity for socializing 
• An escape from the trials and tribulations of everyday life 

Vipassana is -

• A technique that will eradicate suffering at the deepest level 
• A method of mental purification which allows one to face life's tensions and problems in a calm, balanced way
• An art of living that one can use to make positive contributions to society

My day, started at 4.00 in the morning and for 12 hours, with periodic breaks, we had to do a deliberate and a conscious operation of the mind, for 10 days flat. Someone rightly said, you are your own friend and your own enemy. Our minds are filled with so much of filth that when it comes out, it shakes you like a storm torn tree. You relive all your fears and insecurities with an eerie nightmarish reality. And then it leaves you empty and dry only to be filled with silent bliss.

This was the technique that helped Siddhartha Gotama to become the Buddha. He was a master scientist and an ace psychologist of the bygone era - i.e. 25 centuries ago. As the technique was revealed to us and the intricacies explained, it was nothing short of a psycho-physical breakthrough. What today's scientist explain the nature of things to be, both animate and inanimate, to be a continuous stream of vibrations, viz., String Theory, Buddha actually "experienced" the same eons back and became fully enlightened, realizing the truth within the mind-body continuum.

When you undertake this arduous decent to the darkest corners of your mind, you are greeted with many pleasant and unpleasant experiences, but the key is not to react to either of it and be a silent observer instead. Countless thoughts keep manifesting every second with relentless rapidity but when you cease reacting to it, knowing it's true nature of impermanence, it vanishes away by leaving a subtle sensation in your body. I realized that thoughts do make a person. It is a thought that propels you to react the way you react to external situations; but if you observe it mindfully and know that every thought creates an internal ripple and it's impermanent nature, it leave you unscathed and equanimous.

The journey, no doubt was constantly filled with dark apprehensions and doubt, and my mind fueled it more by adding it's own malicious contributions. It revolts vehemently at each step as it doesn't likes to be controlled; it has always been the master and you it's slave. When the process of role reversal happens it unleashes terrifying demons from your past making you cringe and cry in agony and pain. It entices you with sensual craving of all sorts, trying it's mighty best to deter you from walking the path further. Hordes of people quit mid-way, as they accept defeat at the hands of their own powerful nemesis. But the one who continues to walk the path, undeterred, despite the manifold challenges, it finally relents and gives way to a serene state of being.

This is just the beginning - the first tiny step in a long arduous path. The internal foe is extremely powerful and vigilant to strike at a moment you least expect. However, the powerful technique of Vipassana, if practiced daily with diligence, will make you aware of your scheming mind and that will aid you tackle it with equanimity.

I plan to continue walking the path diligently. It is a journey you cannot afford to stop when you have once decided to walk. It will be no doubt a challenging task, but what the heck, life without challenges is no life at all.

Walk on! Remember, it's easy to intellectually theorize and preach expertly crafted sermons, but to actually walk the path, you need steely determination and a conscious intent to begin the journey inward.

It's everyone's journey of self-discovery and exploration. You will have to walk it some time or the other; all by yourself.

May you find your true strength to walk the path. May we all conquer the unconquerable - Your own Mind.

If you are interested in walking this non-sectarian path of self-discovery, you can visit, http://www.dhamma.org for further details.

Peace in oneself. Peace in the world.