Vipassana Meditation (The Art of Living as Taught by S. N. Goenka)

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Vipassana is one of India's most ancient techniques of meditation. 2500 years ago it was re-discovered by the Gotama the Buddha and taught by him as a universal remedy for universal ills. At first the technique flourished in India but gradually it became corrupted, lost its efficacy, and disappeared from the land of its origin. Fortunately the neighbouring country of Burma preserved the original form of Vipassana through the millennia. Since 1969 it has been re-introduced into India, where it is now striking deep roots.

Vipassand is a Pali word meaning insight, seeing things as they really are. It is not a blind faith or philosophy, and has nothing to do with sectarian religion. Instead Vipassana is a practical method that can be applied by anyone of average intelligence. Its goal is to purify the mind, to eliminate the tensions and negativities that make us miserable.

Vipassana meditation as taught by Shri Satya Narayan Goenka and his assistant teachers. Courses are held regularly in different parts of India and abroad. People come to these camps from every caste, community, and background. For ten days they live together in harmony, intent on acquiring this ancient spiritual treasure of India.

Vipassana Meditation-The Art of Living is the first book to appear in English that accurately describes at length, for the general reader. Vipassana meditation as taught by Shri S. N. Goenka.

Sri Satyanarayanji Goenka was born in Mandalay, Myanmar in 1924. Although he topped the list of all successful candidates in the whole of Myanmar in the tenth class he could not continue his studies further because of financial constraints of his family. At a very early age he set up many commercial and industrial institutions and earned fabulous wealth. He also established many social and cultural centres. Because of tension he became a victim of migraine, which could not be cured by doctors of Myanmar and of other countries in the world. Then someone suggested him to take a course of Vipassana. Vipassana has done well not only to him but it has also been benefiting many others.

He learned Vipassana from Sayagyi U Ba Khin in 1955. Sitting at the feet of his teacher he practiced it for fourteen years He also studied the words of the Buddha during this period. He came to India in 1969 and conducted the first vipassana course in Mumbai. After that a series of courses were held. In 1976 the first residential course of vipassana was held in Igatpuri and the first centre of vipassana was established here. Up till now 165 centres have been established all over the world. New centres also are coming up. At these centres 1200 trained teachers teach vipassana in 55 languages of the world. Not only ten- day courses are conducted at these centres but also at some centres 20-day, 30-day, 45-day and 60-day courses are conducted. All courses are free of charge. The expenses on food and accommodation etc are met by the self-willed Dana given by those who benefited from the course. Seeing its benevolent nature vipassana courses is held not only for the inmates of jails and school children in the world but also for police personnels, judges, government officers etc.

**Contents and Sample Pages**