VIPASSANA MEDITATION 101

We are familiar with Mindfulness, it is a practice aimed to assist us in ways ranging from intrapersonal awareness, interpersonal engagement to meta-personal connectivity.

In its abridged quasi-secular format, the ancient wisdom tradition of Right Mindfulness (samma sati) has largely been transplanted from a monastery or solitary retreat to a scientific evidence-based environment or mainstream organisational topography.

As a useful definitional guide to modern mindfulness, Jon Kabat-Zinn utilises such descriptors as non-judgemental moment-to-moment awareness. Chade-Meng Tan and the team at Search Inside Yourself tend to blend a base of Mindfulness with a topical addition of complementary disciplines such as Emotional Intelligence and Neuroscience for corporate application. Ellen J. Langer explains the dualism of Mindlessness versus Mindfulness as similar to an excessive reliance on conditioned auto-pilot perception and behaviour versus fresh and authentic observation and response- we unnecessarily restrict our assessment and engagement in life via approaching new situations with old labels and routine responses. The above approaches vary, though correctly studied and applied, all offer potential physiological, psychological or sociological benefits.

In Vipassana meditation, we extend Mindfulness further. From the base of calmness secured via the accumulated practice of such basic tranquil-abiding (Samatha) mindfulness exercises as Loving Kindness Meditation (Metta) or Mindfulness-of-Breathing (Anapanasati), we objectively review what makes us frustrated, how we respond to change (Pali: Anicca) and observe the ego-construct we dress ourselves in.

Within the meditation practice of Vipassana, these topics of inquiry are explored to assist us in securing insight- to see things as they are, not just as they appear to be.

Whats the purpose of such introspection? Unbiased inquiry can lead to understanding. Understanding can lead to more balanced choices. We engage authenticity. We flourish.

Adrian is Founder of Authention, an independent consultancy in Sydney, Australia. Adrian specialises in Mentoring, Authentic Leadership and Mindfulness Facilitation for individuals and organisations.

Please feel free to make contact via the Authention website.

Three recommended readings on the theory and practice of Mindfulness:

Mindfulness-Integrated CBT for Well-Being & Personal Growth. Dr Bruno Cayoun.

The Mind's Own Physician. Edited by Jon Kabat-Zinn, Richard J. Davidson and Zara Houshmand.

Mindfulness in Plain English. Ven H. Gunaratana Mahathera.