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Vipassanā Bhāvanā

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Vipassanā bhāvanā, or Insight Meditation, can be found in the Theravāda tradition of Buddhist practice, which emphasizes the cultivation of mindfulness (sati) for the advancement of wisdom (panna). Put simply, the practice is based on the understanding that suffering arises from craving, and that liberation from suffering can be achieved by abandoning craving through the development of clear seeing and insight into the impermanent and interdependent nature of all things.

Ethical conduct (sila) is an essential component for the practice of Insight Meditation, without an ethical foundation, progress on the path is impeded. A meditator’s virtuous conduct includes refraining from actions that cause harm to oneself or others and engaging in skillful activities that promote the well-being of all beings.

“Morality is the first step in the path towards eternal bliss. It is the basic spiritual foundation. Without this base, there can be no human progress and spiritual advancement.”
— K Sri Dhammananda

Daily practice (bhāvanā) is also emphasized in the insight tradition. Practitioners are encouraged to dedicate time each day for meditation. With dedicated practice, individuals can cultivate mindfulness, which involves recognizing the changing nature of experience without craving for the pleasant, aversion to the unpleasant, or an absentmindedness to the neutral experiences. This virtuous present-centered-awareness allows individuals to observe their thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations without becoming attached to them, whereby a direct experience of the arising and passing of phenomena may lead to liberating insight.

Another resulting component of insight meditation is the development of wisdom. Wisdom in this sense refers to a profound comprehension of the fundamental nature of reality, namely: impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and the not-self objective reality of all things. A direct experience of the transitory and conditioned nature of all things ultimately leads to a liberating knowledge that frees the mind. This understanding allows individuals to see through the illusion of a fixed and permanent self and to recognize the interconnectedness of all things.

Insight Meditation is most supportively practiced within a retreat center environment, where practitioners can immerse themselves in the practice for an extended period of time. Retreats can span anywhere from a few days to several months, which provides dedicated practitioners an opportunity to deepen their practice and develop a more profound understanding of themselves and the world around them.

As we engage in the noble practice, we prioritize living a skillful life, grounded in ethical behavior, dedicated to daily practice, and committed to the nutriment of wisdom. With sincerity of practice we can achieve freedom from suffering, in this very life, and feel a profound sense of oneness with all things by mindfully understanding the impermanent and interrelated nature of all things. I invite you to join me for the weekly Open Online Guided Meditation sessions offered on Sundays during the month of February where I provide participants with instruction and direction for the cultivation of Vipassanā.

Johnathan Woodside blog
Johnathan Woodside

Johnathan is an Insight Meditation teacher offering Dharma instruction rooted in the Theravada tradition of ethics, concentration and wisdom.

Have Any Question?

Greetings, fellow Mediators! I invite you to gather your strong determination for study and practice with me. Feel free to share your questions, and together, we’ll realize the liberating insights of the Dharma.