VIPASSANA a primary understanding

Vipassana means to see clearly, to see things as they are in reality and not as our mind perceives it to be or wishes to see it. So that brings up certain questions; (a) what is this reality that we don’t see, (b) what is the problem with the mind and (c) do we see with our mind or do we see with our eyes?

Firstly the body is an extension of our thought; it represents our thought in physical form. It is also the instrument for our thoughts for converting ideas into reality. Whatever is in the thoughts is therefore simultaneously registered or connected in the body. For instance some very ordinary examples would be, while sitting beside the driver of a car we inadvertently press the brake paddle if the car is very near to touching another. We start tapping our feet or swinging our hands while listening to good music. Some people get a headache or pain in some part of the body when certain disturbing thoughts come up. This directory of stored information in the body which is related to feelings, emotions, desires and dislikes is what we refer to as conscience mind. When the feeling is strong it gets registered in the sub conscience mind and operates on auto that is without any prompt or effort.

Second, it is the mind which feels the pain and pleasure and not the body. This is contrary to our normal understanding where we always link the body to feelings of physical pain and pleasure. For example when we sleep in a poor or wrong posture we always realize the body pain after we get up when we are awake. Of course the pain or pleasure is always at the level of the body, but the body does not feel it unless the mind acknowledges it.

Third, all such feelings of pain and pleasure gets registered because of our response to an external stimulus. From the six sense doors when an event enters or contacts the mind, it responds. When a friend wave’s hello and the eyes see it, then the mind responds with a friendly wave back. After many such instances the body simply waves back even if the mind is busy in some other thought. Then it becomes a sub conscious reaction. For example we can wave to a friend and talk animatedly on the mobile phone at the same time. The hand has to wave back because the feeling and reaction pattern is registered in that part of the body.

Fourth, all such reaction patterns, which are also called the feelings of pain or pleasure at the level of the body, which are also called vedana (in Pali ) or simply sensation in English, are momentary. They only arise to give reminder intimation and then collapses by itself as a natural process. The sensation urges a reaction, and that reaction becomes a habit. Whether one reacts or does not react to the sensation, in a while it dies down.

Fifth, the reason why the sensations die down is because the body which seems solid is only a collection of wave lets. The body matter is made up of innumerable tiny or nano particles which arise from the food that we eat and gets extinguished because of the actions we perform. That’s why we have to eat again and again. Those parts of the body which we use more often become strong in the form of muscles because there are more such nano particles accumulated or pressed at that place.

Sixth, the reaction patterns can be of pain, pleasure or neutral. The sum total of all such reaction pattern is called our ego. These reaction patterns are based on either love or fear. Love can be selfish or selfless, it could be for aggrandizing the self mind or someone else’s, it could be to protect, perpetuate, reciprocate, respect, honour and many more such kind of emotional thoughts. Likewise fear can be linked to preserve, survive, project, maintain, accumulate and such kind of emotional thoughts. We may laugh or cry, get angry or bless, shout or whisper, shake a hand or give a punch, lecture or serve, run or stand, abuse or protect, lust or refrain; all such physical reactions are based on thoughts of love or fear. That is who we are, that is what our ego stands for.

Vipassana is to realize this reality by observing the sensations on the body very closely. The objective is to understand that our reaction to external stimulus has been the cause of our misery and we can remove all misery from our life if we accept all external stimulus without any reaction of craving (like/want) or aversion (dislike/avoid). All reactions either of craving or aversion signifies a Trishna (a non satiable desire) and always culminates into misery sooner or later. We observe that the same sensation do not arise everytime since they come up depending upon the condition of the mind at that moment of time. By just observing the sensations and not reacting to them, we can change the habit pattern of the mind. When the reaction pattern change, the old sensations obviously do not arise anymore.

By regular, consistent and persistent practice of Vipassana we can observe the entire range of sensations or reaction patterns of our mind. We can break all of them down. That will curtail and minimize our ego, bring us to the level of “stitapragya” that is immersed in wisdom at all times, which is the aim of every Hindu. I say Hindu because no other way of life in any other part of the world ever considered this. We begin to live in the present moment and don’t get bothered by the past or future. We begin to only entertain thoughts of selfless love and eradicate every thought of fear. We happily accept whatever situation life places us.

By continuing the practice of Vipassana, we can break down the wholesome body completely and observe the wave lets. That is the stage which is called as beyond mind and matter, the stage of Nirvana.

A WINTER AT BODHGAYA

Dhamma Bodhi the International Vipassana Center at Bodhgaya does not look conspicuous from the outside. In fact it is about half a kilometer from the main highway and land in between is empty, devoid of trees and structures or even a pucca road for that matter. The gate is not very prominent and one gets no idea that this is a sprawling ten acre premise which is capable of accommodating 100 spiritual seekers.

January is the peak month for winter in India and Bihar is one of the cold states for us who do not live in the north. Bihar falls in the Ganga basin and is well watered throughout the year. It shares its border with Nepal and Bodhgaya should be around 500 kilometers from the Himalaya Mountains. Agriculture goes on for all 12 months provided the numerous rivers do not flood the land during monsoon. People are generally poor for finance but rich for language, singing, food, intelligence, hard-work and fun. Bihar state or the erstwhile Maghad kingdom is the place where Buddhism and Jainism started and flourished. It has a very rich history of rulers, statesmen and saints.

Getting up at 4 am in the cold and wet morning is an experience by itself. The temperature is around 2 to 3 degree, the fog has already started to settle in and everything around is hazy. There is no heater in the room and the effort to slide out of the blanket is heart breaking. The tap water is ice cold but one has to touch the eye lids with water so as to drive away sleep. However such bravery is only temporary because woolen gloves immediately come on and both hands are locked under the armpits to keep warm. We open the room door to walk from severe cold into much more severe cold. The bright CFL lights outside become a mere shadow of itself in the haze and one has to assume that since there is a light it must be the path as well. The blanket, under which we tried to cocoon our body during the night, now becomes our shawl to cover from head to feet. Somehow we manage to keep pushing our legs to reach the relative warmth of the meditation hall. Each meditator is sitting in a conical shape because the blanket is wrapped around like a pyramid. Some of us managed to sleep even while sitting.

The break at 6.30 am is welcome only because we in fact get to break the fast, to eat something after about 18 hours, otherwise the cold is most unfriendly. There is daylight but the fog is thick and we still don’t see anything beyond 2 meters. All of us somehow stumble towards the dining room and attack the hot food without a bother about whether we like what we eat. Lack of choice makes a man humble. A few brave hearts contemplate a hot water bath during this break but most others who are mentally normal prefer to walk around for exercise and for having nothing better to do. Walking in the cold and foggy condition is an adventure by itself. What is at a distance is not seen but we know where the path will lead to. The trees and bushes create an eerie shadowy world, where we see dark shapes in the clouds.

The next break at 11 am is slightly better because we get to greet the sun but the biting cold persists. The sun looks like it has aged and lost all its strength against the ravages of winter. The progressive day light manages to bring in clarity but there is a cold breeze blowing across the land. I suspect that it the breeze which drives away the fog rather than the sunlight. But now there is magic in the air. There is silence, serenity and beautiful music of nature. There are two distinct sounds that we get to hear. One is that of the breeze brushing against the leaves of trees, a continuous rustle, playing a constant harp. The music become slightly loud at times but retains its soft melody most of the time. Different trees make different notes and when all the trees far and near play together, accompanying a cool sunlight, there can be no other heaven. The other sound is that of the dry leaves moving about on the land. The touch of the cold breeze to the face has its own charm and discomfort. The charm is in the softness in the air and the discomfort is when the cold air comes in contact with the liquid flowing through the nose. Constant rubbing of the kerchief on the nose also hurts.

The break at 5 pm in the evening is nothing to write about. The sun becomes weaker and the cold begins to assert itself. A few minutes of daylight remains at our disposal for us to enjoy and warm ourselves. The evening glow is definitely special but the ominous figure of the bitter night ahead does not raise the spirit. The center is not far away from the city and one gets to hear the highway traffic throughout the 24 hours. Sleep does not come easily in the dampness of the room but the opportunity to lay down and relax from 9 pm to 4 am is gratifying.

10 days of inward viewing, 10 days without a worry, 10 days of solitude and peace, 10 days in the lap of Mother Nature, 10 days of hard work and 10 days of bliss.

Writings on the wall

Read the writings on the wall

They will save you from every fall

Don’t be an adamant ball

They are fools who pursue every thought like a gall.

You are good at some vocation or profession

Take it up with every drop of passion

But know well that many things are not meant for you

However much you wish them to come true.

The mind has dreams galore

It fears for failure and craves for valour

Train your mind to accept limits set by nature

All can’t be Sachin and even Dravid is an achiever.

Nothing in this universe is a secret

Everything happens in front of our eyes

Bo says we fail to be discreet

Inspite of everything having a voice.

Read the writings on the wall

They will save you from every fall

The writings are loud and clear

They also have a pattern to reappear.

My first creative work

Love in this age is a security against solitude;

It’s an exchange coupon for company;

Commit to me and I will love you in gratitude;

Say you love me and I shall attach myself in symphony.

Love for the sake of love is so selfish;

Love with no expectations is so cruel;

Love without responsibility is of course cowardice;

For such ordinary feelings you deserve a banish.

Affection without reason is not understood;

Care without revert is misunderstood;

Being there without commitment is a fake;

Love with detachment is only for gods’ sake.

Say of what good is such a barter;

When you have no power over the next minute what so ever;

Why plan for the future with such fear my brother;

Why not live for today as beautiful as ever.

Ha! Where do you get your weird concepts from Bo;

Why can’t you follow the norms Bo;

Why do you make your near ones cry for love Bo;

What good will such a moksh be to anyone Bo.