What is Insight (Vipassana) Meditation?

[@madelinelafferty9383]

I just completed a 10 day Vipassana course. My life has been a complete roller coaster for the past 21 years of my life. I’m happy to say that I’ve been committed to learning about and implementing so many lifestyle changes since then. It was like a boot camp for my brain and for learning to live a better life.

[@DougsDharma]

That's great to hear, Madeline. I hope you keep up your practice!

[@ckobo84]

I've been committed" thought it went horribly wrong there for a second 😂

[@silwaarakharao4039]

Practice persistently and Deligently. Practice on daily basis and focus on developing mindfulness and anicca i.e impermanace of all things even reflect on your body and your perceptions regularly to directly understand the Anicca, anatta , and dukha directly. I wish for your Good health, for your practice, Be happy.🙏 ( If you are practicing under ledi syadaw's -sya gi uba khin - Goenka's tradition then there are short courses like 1 day , 3days are available , you should do it regularly also visit for next 10 day in order to qualify for your first Satipatthana course) Much Metta🙏

[@mshereebailey2307]

I have listened to many Buddhist teachers speak. I found Doug’s discussion to be very clear and help regarding insight meditation and its history.

[@DougsDharma]

Very kind of you to say Sheree, thanks.

[@Courage-to-BE]

Vipassana meditation has changed my life. I completed my first 10 day course in 2018 and have taken 2 subsequent courses. I am currently trying to decide if I will do a Sit and Serve program which would be for several months. I was able to silence the inner critic and anxiety that has plagued me for most of my life which was no small feat. I have so many good things to say about Vipassana. Thanks for the video!

[@DougsDharma]

Great, glad to hear! 🙏

[@phlipperbrooks129]

I've been sitting for 30+ years in Theravadan monasteries and in Zen centers, and recently renewed my practice after getting away from study and practice for several years. And I find your videos among the clearest and most informative I've ever heard or read. Gassho.

[@DougsDharma]

Oh, very kind of you to say, Phlipper. Glad you are finding them useful! 🙏

[@alibukhari8669]

I came this video because I wanted to understand the difference between the mindfulness and vipassana meditation, and I'm happy to say that Dough explained quite clearly. I am doing mindfulness for almost a month and it has done wonders in terms of anxiety and mood control, and now I want to learn more about vipassana. Thank you Dough.

[@DougsDharma]

That's great to hear. You're very welcome!

[@tseshannon2230]

Awesome video. I just went to a 10-day Vipassana course and it was a wonderful introductory to the technique. Highly recommend to everyone who’s interested.

[@DougsDharma]

Great! Thanks Tse.

[@jzzeygirl]

What course was it?

[@JaspervR1111]

Very clear explanation of a difficult subject. Thanks!

[@DougsDharma]

You’re very welcome Jasper, thanks for the comment!

[@alexisleggeri3945]

Clear, solid and contextualized, that's the best explanation I've heard on Vissapana. I really appreciate that the somewhat social science approach does not sacrifice the spiritual aspect of the teachings. You really hit the sweet spot between the East and the West. Thank you so much for this! I'll check your other videos 🙂

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks Alexis, very kind of you to say.

[@victorroux493]

Completed two ten day vipassana retreats and have been using this meditation technique since 2018. It is a wonderful technique

[@gggrace2384]

One of the best explanations of vipassana I have heard. Thank you, Dr. Doug.

[@davidknight7933]

Thank you Doug I am so grateful for your clear exposition 🙏🏻

[@DougsDharma]

You are very welcome David! 🙏

[@AndrewCouchman-Buddhism]

Thank you Doug. Nice explanation as with all of your videos

[@DougsDharma]

Glad it was helpful!

[@isabellexi4475]

Very rigorous treatment of these issues! Thanks Doug.

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks for watching and commenting, Isabel!

[@annam2126]

Thank you so much for being so clear and easy to understand.

[@DougsDharma]

You're very welcome Anna, glad to be helfpul!

[@studentofspacetime]

Wonderful explanation.

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks Andrés, glad you found it useful!

[@amittaneja8455]

Doug, been watching a few of your videos. I love how you simplify it so well and consisely. To me, your one of my favourits to go to go learn more about bhuddism over monks, etc. I am a 'westerner', so perhaps thats why. But I just love what you're putting out. Thank you.

[@DougsDharma]

You're very welcome Amit! Thanks for the comment.

[@anonymoususer8046]

Doug... you are THE MAN!! I truly appreciate this breakdown and explanation. 😎🙌🏾

[@DougsDharma]

Glad it was helpful! 🙏

[@sarathw5740]

A good summary of this difficult subject.

[@DougsDharma]

Thank you Sarath. 🙏

[@simonlarsen6265]

Great stuff, Doug!

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks Simon! 🙏

[@yongjiean9980]

This is a great video. I think Ledi Sayadaw was trying to map out a framework from which the practictioner could realise the teachings of the Buddha (anicca dukkha anatta) and not lost in the teachings. But probably the master also stressd on the importance of mental clarity from jhana to be able to contemplate.

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks! Yes, I think they also had slightly different audiences, with Ledi Sayadaw aiming more towards the laity than the Buddha was.

[@sasikaalawathura8641]

Anithya dukka anathma

[@paigeburns4362]

Fascinating stuff. Thank you.

[@DougsDharma]

My pleasure, Paige! 🙏

[@rideoutmarketing2533]

Hello Doug! Thanks for all your content, I really enjoy them and find them helpful. I wanted to comment on this video though because I am working on a blog post for my new website, and this post is covering some of the different types of meditation. I am writing this from the perspective of someone who has practiced many different types of meditation, so I went online to research what others consider "different types of meditation" and tried to mix that with my own perspective and experience. The reason I stumbled across this video, is because I am trying to understand the difference between "Mindfulness Meditation" and "Vipassana/Insight Meditation". After trying to write a few paragraphs on each, I can't get past the sense that they are really one and the same. I want to clarify, that by mindfulness meditation, I am referring to meditation based on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness in the Satipatthana Sutta. (1-Mindfulness of Body, 2-Mindfulness of Feelings/Feeling Tones, 3-Mindfulness of Mind, 4-Mindfulness of Mental Objects) These seem, at least to me, to be exactly the same as Insight Meditation. So I was wondering if you might be able to reach out and weigh in on this and I would be more than happy to link to you and provide credit once my blog is up and running. I would be more than willing to share what I have so far as well. Thanks again for all you do. -Jason

[@DougsDharma]

Not an easy question to answer. In a sense they are the same thing but with different emphases. Mindfulness meditation is quite general, mindfulness of body, feelings, mind, dharmas. It's a practice leading (in some views) to jhāna. Vipassana though is specifically focused on experience of the three marks of reality in order to get us to enlightenment, potentially without jhāna.

[@rideoutmarketing2533]

@@DougsDharma I suppose this is the way I am seeing it: Foundation of Body = Anapana portion of Vipassana Foundation of Feeling/Tones = Impermanent nature of sensations in Vipassana. Foundation of Mind = Unsatisfactory nature of attachment and aversion in Vipassana. Foundation of Dharmas = Absence of a permanent, unchanging self in Vipassana. It is definately interesting though. I will continue to write my blog article though and I am sure I will find my way through it.

[@tomtillman]

This video is a very good explanation of Vipassana, and is exactly what is taught on the Goenka 10 day course that I just completed. I asked the teacher about the Jhanas, and he said they do not teach that, but did not say why. Your video is a good explanation of the historical reasons of how and why it can be done two different ways, and still be true to the Pali Canon. That is, the first way, which is just enough breath observation meditation first, (Apanana) to get the monkey mind under control, then Vipassana, or, the 2nd way, which is Jhanas first, and then Vipassana. In my opinion, trying to learn it without a detailed course and a trained teacher is not a workable idea. The 10 day boot camp generated LOTS of questions for the teacher, even though the instructions were very thorough.

[@DougsDharma]

Yes it certainly helps to have a good meditation teacher. Thanks, Tom.

[@manapatil2133]

Buddha’s vipassana give best ways to liberate from sorrow. I am practising for last 20 years and every day I have new experience. Till you feel there is hungers to search for Budha

[@nuthasidr]

In my experience, Vipassna is basically impossible in my daily setting; I can only do it reasonably well only in 10+ days retreat. But it’s just me. Also, here in Thailand, a major school, or branch, of Theravada Buddhism monk order is Vipassana school.

[@wiser.kinder.calmer.6530]

Hey Doug, I'm currently starting PhD research into using meditation in schools and their impact. There are many meditations and programs in schools that focus on developing serenity (samadhi), but there is very few that explore the development of insight (vipassana). My research will compare two university meditation programs and their impact: comparing secular mindfulness programs (samadhi meditation) and wisdom-based meditative practices (vipassana meditation). One thing I'm still thinking about is how to teach vipassana to inexperienced meditators who are university students. My thoughts were to work through the 16 steps of mindful breathing that follow the 4 establishments of mindfulness (Body, Feelings, Mind, Dharma/Wisdom: Impermanence, Suffering, No-self). Your video helped me think this would be appropriate. Do you have any thoughts to add?

[@DougsDharma]

Sure. Keep in mind that Insight is a more advanced teaching, so it might be good to start with samādhi and move slowly to Insight.

[@Courage-to-BE]

I have completed three 10 day Vipassana courses and I am about to commit to it more longterm. I thought about seeing if there was a way I could get in touch with someone who is doing research into meditation in order to volunteer. I think it would be interesting to see how the brain changes over time, especially since I have experienced a lot of trauma in my life and Vipassana has completely changed my life. It would be interesting to help quantify these results.

[@willd.8040]

I’ve heard of vipassana meditation so many times, and I didn’t know that it’s the type of meditation that I always do. Interesting.

[@DougsDharma]

Oh, interesting to hear! Yes it's very prevalent, I practice it myself quite a lot.

[@zellamaestro]

I usually try to do some type of samatha before vipassana meditation, but something I occasionally wonder about is whether doing some type of calming meditation sort of inhibits my ability to see what my mind objectively acts like during the day - you know, off the cushion. In my understanding, a large part of Insight is sort of observing the mind in it's natural state, seeing how easily it becomes "the monkey mind," and to practice note-taking and reeling it back in. Do you think samatha meditation could inhibit the ability to practice this by doing it right before? Because when I practice mindfulness outside of a meditative context, it's not like I'm able to sit down and focus on my breath for ten minutes in a stressful situation at work. I feel like outside of a meditative context, we must learn to practice mindfulness without the crutch of samatha. Do you have any thoughts about this?

[@DougsDharma]

Well a lot of this comes under the Buddha's suggestion to see for yourself. But in general I think calming meditation is to allow you to see more clearly how the mind works. Often when the mind is too busy or agitated we just can't see anything clearly enough.

[@nevergiveup3198]

Thank you for your detailed explanations of insightful meditations. 👍 it's very helpful and all positive. 🤙

[@DougsDharma]

My pleasure! 🙏😊

[@rikacasseres]

Thank you for the clarity on Vipassana. The frequent ads were unexpected and distracting.

[@DougsDharma]

You're very welcome! Yes, KZbin puts the ads where they will ...

[@tomtillman]

Yes, it is very annoying. I finally signed up for the monthly fee to avoid ads completely. Its about $12 a month and there is a trial.

[@jessecooper5443]

Thanks for the book recommendation Doug

[@DougsDharma]

You're very welcome Jesse!

[@Kimbeeerleeey]

Very informational. I suggest pulling the camera back.

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks Czo Lo. Agreed with your advice, that’s why I stopped recording in that area, because I felt I needed more space. 🙂

[@notthisnotthat2023]

Helpful, thanks.

[@DougsDharma]

🙏😊

[@sarahlynnisfunny]

Can you do a video on Buddhism and social justice activism? Like how can we balance our duties to help create change in this world while remaining unattached and centered in our practice?

[@DougsDharma]

I'll put it on the list Sarah, thanks for the suggestion!

[@fuglsnef]

Here it is! kzbin.info/www/bejne/poitpnZrn9hjpas

[@amarok5048]

One of our workers used to come in many a morning and say "I'm in a really good mood this morning.. but it won't last.."

[@DougsDharma]

Ha! I can sympathize!

[@rogergregg616]

After meditating daily for two and a half years, Finally was able to go on the ten day vipassana course. If you are able, I highly recommend Doing one. It is intense and at times gruelling as you confront your demons. Persevere and you observe them passing. The experience is Of inestimable value.

[@DougsDharma]

Wonderful, thanks Roger.

[@coke39stgo]

Thanks Doug. When will you make a video about the three aspects of reality (three marks of existence)?

[@DougsDharma]

Ha! It’s something I’ve been meaning to do for awhile, probably in a few weeks. 🙂

[@lazzledazzle1]

Hey Doug, i recently completed an MBSR course after many years doing a home practice in the insight meditation format. The course conveners seemed to have a negative view towards vipassna, labelling it as unneccessarily strict or brutal leading to degrading mental health in some that try. This was never said outright but at the end of the course the instructkr essentially advised everyone to avoid vipassna retreats and to pick groups that were more accepting and sensitive to people who might have any overwhelming or difficult feelings or sensations that arrise. What is your view of that?your videos are brilliant by the way, i hope you keep it up, thanks so mich.

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks! I Imagine they were talking about the sorts of intensive retreats I mentioned in my recent video on whether meditation was dangerous. There are sensitive Vipassana retreats but I think one does have to be sensitive with how one gets into more lengthy meditation sessions.

[@lalanijayasekara2917]

Thanks with metta 🙏🙏🙏

[@DougsDharma]

🙏😊

[@soundhealingbygene]

thanks really helps. i just bought the way of non-attachment book.

[@DougsDharma]

Glad I could help!

[@selfinflictedjoy]

My understanding is that Vipassana practice in the Theravada tradition largely fell out of practice by the 10th century but was reintroduced in the 19th century. It is one of the oldest forms of meditation. At least that is what I've read.

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks for the info. Where do you find this, and why the 10th century in particular?

[@selfinflictedjoy]

@Doug's Dharma Hi Doug. There are many sites that discuss Vipassana and its 2500 year history. Some will discuss the 10th century... Wikipedia origins state and other sites confirm that according to Buddhist and Asian studies scholar Robert Buswell Jr., by the 10th century vipassana was no longer practiced in the Theravada tradition, due to the belief that Buddhism had degenerated, and that liberation was no longer attainable until the coming of the future Buddha, Maitreya. It was re-introduced in Myanmar (Burma) in the 18th century by Medawi (1728-1816), leading to the rise of the Vipassana movement in the 20th century

[@DougsDharma]

Yes, I'm not sure where that comes from. The encyclopedia entry is from Patrick Pranke (Buswell is the editor of the encyclopedia) and he doesn't provide any reference to back it up. At the very least such a date would be quite controversial, as I understand it. But it would be interesting to know more!

[@selfinflictedjoy]

@Doug's Dharma Correct. That information did come from Buswell's 'The Encyclopedia of Buddhism'. Jeffrey Samuels - Department of Philosophy and Religion, Western Kentucky University - did review Buswell's book and concluded ...'The bringing together of over two hundred scholars and specialists in the field of Buddhist studies has resulted in an encyclopedia that contains a plethora of articles that are both accurate and timely.' Many documentaries I've watched in my quest for a mediation practice state the same as well Goenka may have brought Vipassana back to mainstream in the 50s and 60s, but along with Vedic meditation, Vipassana is one of the oldest Theravada mediation practices. *Apologies as youtube does not allow links in this video comment. I tried 😁🙏

[@soterobahia]

Thanks Doug

[@DougsDharma]

You're very welcome Frederico Cezário. 🙏

[@postmandev]

The point of jhana is to focus the mind in order to gain insight into the Dhamma via vipassana. The higher the jhana state the more focused the mind and therefore the easier it should be to realize the Dhamma.

[@DougsDharma]

Yes this is one of the ways it's commonly explained.

[@postmandev]

@@DougsDharma I've enjoyed watching your channel. Thank you.

[@coke39stgo]

Hi Doug. I was very surprised with the revelation of the late birth of Vipassana as a meditation technique. I am new to Buddhism and your videos have been really helpful to understand many things. From your Knowledge, is Ledi Sayadaw the first Theravada Buddhist monk that gives birth to Vipassana as a meditation technique or was Medawi? The second question of many more : If Vipassana as a meditation technique was born in Burma around the year 1800 of our common era, when does Shamata as a meditation technique was born? Third question : Do Shamata and Vipassana appear as meditation techniques in the Canon Pali? In the last 5 days I’ve had so many questions that I’m considering to have a Skype conversation with you , of course if that suits you or if you are available for that. Thank you very much Doug.

[@DougsDharma]

Hi Jorge, Eric Braun’s book argues for the central importance of Ledi Sayadaw, but Medawi is important as well. I don’t have the book in front of me to check what Braun says. Samatha meditation is in the Pāli canon as “right concentration”; indeed as I say in the video Vipassana can also be found in the canon, but it is not emphasized. For more on right concentration see: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYjGgJVnrpWrfc0

[@yongjiean9980]

The Thai forest monks stress on Samatha. The Thai word for meditaton and concentration is Samadhi. The Buddha defines Samma Samadhi (right concentration) as the four jhanas.

[@perfectconsumer9177]

I've been doing Vipassana for about 9 months now 1-2 hours a day, and didn't really understand it's origins or distinctions from other styles until I watched your video, so thanks lol! I recently tried focused meditation, and found out I have a hard time staying on one 'object' and this helps me make sense of why - it's not meant to be a path to enlightenment at all. Wow. Incidentally, I have read that research shows Vipassana helps with acceptance and creativity, whereas focused meditation helps with decisiveness and clarity. Perhaps Vipassana is a gateway drug to focused meditation?

[@DougsDharma]

Could be, I think both forms of meditation come together and help one another.

[@amalksuresh2538]

There are different paths to enlightenment.Focused meditation is one among them

[@creativecompanion]

You may want to consider removing ads from your channel. Easier for listeners to focus on the darma. Thank you

[@DougsDharma]

Yes thanks for your tip creativecompanion. I posted a thread about this several days ago over on my Community tab.

[@anicca6877]

Thank you 🙏

[@DougsDharma]

You’re welcome! 😊

[@vIdCuGiNi]

Hi Doug. Are you enlightened? Thank you for your video.

[@DougsDharma]

😄Nooooo no no no. I'm just a regular layperson, a beginner on the path. 🙂

[@ss30g92]

You should ask have you realised that you are enlightened instead

[@grizz_864]

The meditation is seeking insight to bring awareness and bring you into reality ❤

[@RichLee_laughingblade]

Great explanation, thanks. Readingnthe comments it seems that many people think that Vipassana=Goenka. Thats not the case. While I'd recommend Goenka 10 day retreats thats not the whole of it, and id suggest a reading of the Visuddhimagga (sp?) or the Pa Auk guidebook.

[@DougsDharma]

🙏😊

[@manapatil2133]

Sir let me correct, Vipassana will not only of arising and passing observation, it is just starting point. That’s why Budha explains in various ways and use number of terminology to clear the meaning of Vippasana. This is the method to know Dharma in right sense on spiritual , scientific, psychological, metabolic, virtual,anatomy based and so on

[@Gabriel-dm1du]

I’m a very aggressive meditator but lately I get really bored and distracted any advice

[@DougsDharma]

OK then I will refrain! 😄

[@Gabriel-dm1du]

@@DougsDharma Sorry, English is not my first language, so I don't know how I came across. What's refrain?

[@jole3574]

Maybe some metta lovingkindness before meditating can help

[@Gabriel-dm1du]

@@jole3574 thank you I'll look into that 🙂

[@jean-michellaurora1854]

Thank you!

[@DougsDharma]

You're welcome! 🙏

[@chomyint5881]

Nowaday in Burma's Meditation Centers, first to get Samadhi for weeks and then they change your way into pure Vipassana with Anarpana way .

[@DougsDharma]

Yes that makes sense. Thanks!

[@tedulinski6509]

Vipassana: To see things as they are. Buddha had no word for meditation per se. Rather bhavanna vipassana sati: the cultivation of mindfulness to see things as they are. The canonical references in the Suttanipata include Vipassana as an enlightment factor, cf D.22, M.10 and S.47 also Abhidhamma VII PP24.

[@sagaspace]

Thanks

[@DougsDharma]

🙏😊

[@yongjiean9980]

I think a study of what the Buddha means by Vipassana in the Pali canon is very important rather than just the Burmese tradition defines as Vipassana. The idea of insight = Satipathana bears little resemblence to what the Buddha teaches.

[@DougsDharma]

Yes that's right, it is kind of a creative retelling of Satipaṭṭhāna.

[@nagodio]

I am 38 and I have horrible seating posture , and cant seat cross leg or lotus positions without my legs falling asleep and my back in horrible pain because of arching . Does the 10 day Vipassana course allow us to have back support or chairs ? That is the only thing holding me back from joining

[@DougsDharma]

I haven't taken that 10 day course, you might ask them if you can use a chair, my guess would be that you can but I'm not sure.

[@nagodio]

@@DougsDharma question why your here While doing anapana Do you focus on the breathe going in and our the entey of the nostrils and that triangle area of upper lips and entry of nostrils or do you focus on the sensations you feel (warn cold tingle ) in the triangle area of the upper lip and entry of nostrils ?

[@jzzeygirl]

Yes you can sit in a chair. Many people do

[@nagodio]

@@jzzeygirl did the 10 day course and learned TM as well!

[@timnitz2654]

In the competition for followers, the parts of Christianity that believe that faith alone (not works) would be especially attractive compared to "extremely rare Nirvana" Buddhism. Do you know if the Burmese competition was from Catholicism or Protestantism or both? I have not found a chart comparing different religions' requirements for salvation; that would be a very interesting chart to read! Was Mahayana Buddhism, with it's "big capacity vehicle", a reaction to the easier salvation of Christianity, do you think?

[@DougsDharma]

I'm not sure about Burma, my guess would be Protestantism from England. As for Mahāyāna, well it arose around the same time as Christianity, in the first centuries of the CE, and spread to areas that were essentially unknown to Christianity, so it wasn't in reaction to it. One may argue one way or the other as to how Mahāyāna vs. Theravāda dealt with colonialism, but that's a PhD dissertation in itself!

[@timnitz2654]

@@DougsDharma Thanks for that clarification. It's so interesting to me that salvation religions emerged from civilizations. I can't think of any religions from indigenous people where the goal is to escape a current reality. I would love to know what uncontacted indigenous people, who lived without epidemics, hierarchy, slavery, etc. would have thought of salvation religions and philosophies such as Buddhism. My guess is they'd find it curious to want to leave. They may have taken issue with the First Noble Truth, for example.

[@FredDittrich]

Doug Along the way I have heard that vipassana teachers can lose their teaching certification if they teach only vipassana vs. teaching samatha followed by vipassana. Is thie true? Gassho the Fred process

[@DougsDharma]

I'm not familiar with that, or even that there is a teaching certification for vipassana. Can you point to a source?

[@frankjspencejr]

As I understand Buddhist teaching, the self is also believed to be illusory: anatta

[@DougsDharma]

Well yes, it's a bit nuanced. I've done a number of videos on the subject, here's a playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PL0akoU_OszRjA9n0-U24ZCpfEQVFxeGz2

[@IowaLanguages]

But what about psychological problems associated with Vipassana? Dark nights? Is it better not to try it?

[@DougsDharma]

These are relatively rare. It's sort of like asking whether the possibility of getting badly injured means one shouldn't undertake physical exercise. Of course, if you're going to undertake a very rigorous practice it would be best to do it under a skilled and experienced teacher.

[@namename-kq8wt]

Another great video, Doug. Like some of the other folks commenting here, I'm becoming increasingly interested in vipassana - and particularly intrigued by Goenka's techniques and retreats, and those of other folks within his lineage (Roger Bischoff runs some 2 and 10 day vipassana retreats not to far from where I live in the UK). I'm interested in where the Insight people fit in with this all. As I understand it, Jack Kornfield and some of the others within IMS were early students of Goenka and it very much shaped their vision for IMS. Would that be fair to say, do you think?

[@DougsDharma]

Yes I think so Kartho. Certainly there is a broad overlap there. That said, Goenka's retreats are very much in a particular mould of operation; I don't have personal experience with them but know that some folks love them and others don't. So go and see for yourself.

[@namename-kq8wt]

@@DougsDharma If I do make one, I'll let you know how I get on, Doug.

[@samspeedy6473]

Would you say that "insight into the three marks of existence" is equivalent to insight into how true happiness lies within and not without? (Talk of "the three marks" always kind of mystified me until something just clicked and I realised they might be saying something much simpler than seemed).

[@DougsDharma]

Well, I'd say they are related, though perhaps not quite the same thing. For more on the three marks of existence see another video of mine on the topic here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6KkiGl4ipeClZo

[@hhyling8483]

Christianity is also about constant awareness of the Holy Spirit residing in you, it does resemble Buddhism in that way; the constant factor

[@TriNguyen-go4qb]

what is the difference between vipassana and samantha at the beginning of the meditation? please read the book : minfullness, bliss and beyond writer Ajahn Brahm. you will understand more about vipassana.

[@chiraggupta7580]

Hi Doug, from what I've learnt so far, Vipassana meditation was very much one of the original teachings of the Buddha. Whenever he talked about seeing things clearly or understanding suffering, wasn't he talking about Vipassana? Thanks for the videos.

[@DougsDharma]

Well insight into the Three Marks of Existence (dukkha, anicca, anatta) are definitely a core part of the Buddha's teaching. However Vipassana Buddhism is more than just that, it's a whole movement that involved a change in how Buddhism was practiced and taught. For more on this see Eric Braun's book cited in the show notes.

[@sat1241]

@Doug's Dharma I listen to the lectures of a Theravada monk who was ordained in Thailand and is a follower of Ajaan Tong Sirimangalo's methods. Ajaan Tong died in 2019 and had also studied Vipassana for a month with Mahasi Sayadaw. I am not an adherent but I have some interest in the topic. This monk who teaches this method has a preference of Vipassana over Samathha. It is tempting to say they are equally important but they may not be equally important to a given person. I could also bring up a meditation method from another tradition and you might not think it was as good as either of these methods. However are we biased by religion perhaps or by one particular tradition? I think a specular approach might aim more toward less bias and a more objective look. Anyway this monk's view (as I interpret what he says) it is that Vipassana and it's noting is to become aware of everything while meditating, one's thoughts, feelings both physical and mental and whatever sounds one might experience or the temperature, all experience is noted as it rises, and in doing this falls. So we become very observant of the moment. Things fall, new ones may rise and then fall again. This do not attached ourselves. Just like in Samatha one may at first notice one's breaths. But this is a good examples to illustrate a difference. In Vipassana one will notice that each breath is different. The stomach moves slightly as we breathe and each of those movements are slightly different. We be not notice the difference but in such a state of acute awareness we may take notice of it and then in doing so this thought of each breath being different also falls. It may return later. We don't try to control this experience just become less reactive to it. Samatha however is different. Instead of this observant type of approach the approach is one of concentration. Instead of taking note of everything we focus on one point. The breaths are counted as an object of focus. Chanting does the same thing, repetition is employed as something to focus and concentered the mind. In a sense it's the opposite of Vipassana. This is similar to gazing meditation called Trataka. Some stare at a candle and I heard you disparage this a little in your Cults and Weird Buddhism lecture. But if you every dedicate 20 minutes to this I think you will find it is a great method. I think it is good to occasionally try other methods. Weight lifters sometimes switch exercise types to try to "trick" their muscles into not getting to used to being worked out in a particular way. Actually there is no need for a candle. And this eyes opened mediation is a good paddle to the back. Instead face a blank or simple wall and on it focus on some tiny crack or flaw straight ahead on that wall. If not put some small piece of tape or any kind of mark there. Then simply focus on that one point. The first 5 or 10 minutes like anything new might be discomforting and maddening. However after this initial phase you lock in. You come to a point where you like looking at that point and would rather not look away from it although one loses focus momentarily. In short, a great way to practice concentration meditation. Please dedicate to this just once for 20 minutes, I think you will enjoy this method. Don't think the great Buddhist masters always went by the book. And for all the Pali cannon think of how little is written in exact way to meditate. Samatha, gazing, counting breathes, chanting. These are all objects of focus on one thing. Vipassana, yes that is different, not focusing but observing. The proposal is that we are dealing with everything and any demons that may come to us and to see then clearly for what they are, not tranquilize and relax oneself into what may actually be a trance state but to face oneself. But that is just an interpretation Thank you for your videos

[@Believer17_]

Meditation is deep topic step by step only we can reach there anapana vipassana etc etc it’s not easy as we think 😊

[@patrickcahill4396]

Hi Doug! Perhaps a somewhat trivial question but I was wondering what is said in the Satipatthana Sutta and elsewhere with regards to how one's eyes should be when meditating? I have often read or heard it said they should be slightly open. I recently attended a Dharma talk by Lama Lhakpa Yeshe who said, "If you are a beginner, you should close your eyes." Personally I cannot envisage a time when I would want to meditate with my eyes even slightly open. I find it difficult enough to concentrate on my breath without having visual stimuli to contend with also. Tia.

[@DougsDharma]

Interestingly so far as I know there is no discussion anywhere in the Pāli Canon of what to do with your eyes. There is certainly nothing in the Satipatthāna Sutta. I used to meditate in the Zen fashion with eyes slightly open, now I close my eyes. I’d say do whatever you find most congenial, it doesn’t make much of a difference.

[@patrickcahill4396]

Doug's Secular Dharma unusual that nothing is said about it as a part of a fundamental practice. Thanks Doug.

[@DougsDharma]

Yes it’s quite interesting!

[@namename-kq8wt]

It might also be a Tibetan thing (as well as a Zen thing, From Doug's reply) - I was also advised to keep my eyes slightly open at the Tibetan centre I attended, in fact it was something they were pretty keen to stress. And like your lama, Patrick, the teachers at my local centre suggested closing them to start with and working towards keeping them open. Personally, having worked with both open and closed for a while, I much prefer closed. And that seems to be the preference among modern Theravada teachers.

[@explosivetwist]

does vipassan meditation help to develop samathi?

[@DougsDharma]

I would say rather the other way around, and mindfulness helps develop samadhi.

[@explosivetwist]

@@DougsDharma Thank you Doug. As a secular buddhist what meditation lineage or tradition is your practice built around?

[@andseraf8544]

Give yourself and you shall receive Let go your attachment of your material body and be aware of you , the true you Connect to the source Like turning a light switch on You will achieve if you believe You have it , always have, it’s the world programming that detached you from you

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks and seraf.

[@bobg.7976]

Hi Doug, very interesting. Do you do anything around Mahasi Sayadaw’s Progress of Insight? It is true that popular Insight Meditation retreats offer meditation practices (anapana, body scanning , mental noting, etc. ) that over 10 days or longer alter consciousness that does relieve dukkha or suffering.

[@DougsDharma]

Well in general I practice mindfulness and Insight meditation, though I don't follow the Mahasi method in particular, or at the very least I don't follow it exclusively. (E.g., I do practice noting from time to time).

[@bobg.7976]

Eric Braun has some very interesting KZbin videos if your followers don’t have time to read his book. Ledi Sayadaw was the dharma ancestor of both Mahasi and S.N Goenka.

[@Selrahcthewise]

I have just started meditating.I usually have 15-20 minute sessions 1 time a day.Should i even focus on jhana at all?

[@DougsDharma]

Good question Selrahcthewise. I’d say leave jhāna aside, since you almost certainly won’t be able to get there. You can always pursue it in the future when and if you have more time for dedicated meditation.

[@bobg.7976]

My finger twitched...I mean to say in the writings of Mahasi there are “steps and stages” that seem a little esoteric, implying a familiarity with a very different interior landscape that emerges thru absorption. To my knowledge Mahasi was the seminal teacher of Goldstein, Jack K., and the others who brought these practices here.

[@DougsDharma]

I think Mahasi was one of the teachers of Kornfield, along with Ajahn Chah, but Goldstein had many teachers (Wiki lists several including Goenka, Dipa Ma, and U Pandita). Not sure if he was taught by Mahasi as well. Certainly Mahasi's method has been very influential in the US along with those of several other South Asian Theravāda masters.

[@jackiea2470]

Will this help me quit smoking weed

[@DougsDharma]

I'm not sure. Though if there is something you want to do then being mindful of it can't hurt.

[@rocky821]

Yes, give it try.

[@yongjiean9980]

What is insight? You are a more happy calm wiser and detached person. What is liberating insight? To see the truth of rebirth, the truth of conditionality - that ignorance and craving leads to the five aggregates, to truly understand anicca, dukkha and anatta. Just like the three knowledge of thd Buddha - of rebirth, kamma and the four noble truths.

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks Yong Jie An. Liberating insight is generally defined as the seeing of anicca, dukkha, and anatta which leads to the extinction of craving.

[@lkal2389]

🙏

[@victorneufeld6516]

if life/experiences are ultimately unsatisfactory, why should we live?

[@DougsDharma]

Why shouldn't we? Most of us want to live, we are attached to life. If there is a better way to live without so much attachment, shouldn't we search it out through practice? Traditionally of course, we have no choice. If we die in one life, we are reborn into the next.

[@Nalber3]

Is this type of meditation practiced in China?

[@DougsDharma]

I'd be surprised if it wasn't, at least somewhere in China. But it's more associated with Theravāda Buddhism.

[@Faunafloralove]

Hello Doug, Thank you for the informative video! Something that I often feel puzzled about is how we can pursue things in life that we value or love while understanding the impermanence of those very things.That aspect of Vipassana sometimes makes me wonder how we can love without attachment. That is what I would like my focus to be on for my practice.

[@DougsDharma]

That’s a great question Kiona. I have a number of videos on non-attachment that might be useful to check out, and let me know if you have any other questions! Here is a playlist of them: kzbin.info/aero/PL0akoU_OszRiCb2Jxe488IqJQvT8uARjm

[@Faunafloralove]

@@DougsDharma Thank you Doug! :)

[@victorroux493]

Vipassana teaches you equanimity

[@DURGESH-gy8hb]

difficult

[@DougsDharma]

How so Durgesh?

[@sanekabc]

I have made a greater innovation than Vipassana, which requires no practice at all. Practice of any kind is itself a strengthening of the self.

[@mathieuavisse4623]

buddha never said go and practice vipassana ... he said go and do jhanas ... vipassana won t lead you anywhere until you reach 4 th jhana ... and even there it takes long periods of meditation in the 4 th to gain insight on the nature of dependant originations which is the goal .

[@mathieuavisse4623]

buddha did not teach samatha nor vipassana ... samatha meditation existed before buddha and lead nowhere - vipassana well it does not really go anywhere until you reach the jhanas through samatha . so buddha brought one difference to the table > right view . add right view to your jhana practice and bingo

[@TimothyinToronto]

Sit the 10 day course (it’s free) and learn the technique. Then you will not need any of this philosophy.

[@harrybuttworth6765]

Dude, what is insight meditation? Insight meditation is…..

[@SoimulPatriei]

It was a good introduction. I will read the book you recommend. However, in your talk, as in the Buddhist literature is not clear what insight is. One interpretation could be that insight is the realization moment by moment of arising and passing of mental states. But this is too few, and I cannot see what usage it can have. The other one is the claim that the practitioner knows the nature of reality. It is what Ledi Sayadaw seems to say. He says, for example, in a conversation with some disciples that the next Buddha is around the corner and that it will pass eons until a new one appears. This knowledge is much like the prophetic knowledge of Christians and Muslims; that is garbage.

[@chadkline4268]

I don't think it is good to say that nobody needs to be an accomplished meditator to attain stages of enlightenment. There may have been some exceptions, but they were extremely rare in Buddha's day, and they are not practically worthy of mentioning today. It is not worthy of saying today in any practical sense. It's like telling people to buy a lottery ticket because they COULD win. Second, both views are important. You need to attain the 8th Jhana to attain the 9th. And that is a stage of enlightenment. Nothing is seen clearly until that point. Whether you do the 5th+6th is debatable, these things are fuzzy, like the 1st 4 Jhanas. Scanning the body, up, down and all around, inside+outside, in all positions: the four foundations of mindfulness. But the 4th/7th,8th,9th are pretty much 100% necessary. Samatha is necessary. But it fails in the 8th Jhana because there is no perception of breath, body, or mind. The only way to move beyond is via another technique and nobody can be helped with that because there is no mind at that point. You can't use any thinking or memory. At that point, a real investigation must begin. It may be termed Vipassana. I don't see that Moggallana or Sariputta attained anything without sitting meditation. I am dubious about an insight being anything more than a clue as to what direction to head in life. An insight is not a supra-mundane attainment. I really dislike all the confusion that is being created for people. It does not lessen delusion, it strengthens it. It's not helping people, it's harming them. They'd be better off not learning anything than to falsely believe they have attained something.

[@janedoe3648]

Webmd says it was started by Buddha..there seems to be lots of widespread lies about Buddhism in the West..

[@DougsDharma]

Well in a sense it was and in a sense it wasn’t. The root ideas go back to his teachings, but there are subtle differences of emphasis.

[@ericyu423]

Jhana is easier if you're lazy...Vipassna is easier if you always wanna do shit

[@owlroc]

Too many ads!!!!

[@gerarddearie-zd2gb]

Christianity isn't one thing: the Church fathers, and also Catholic contemplatives DO believe you can get a sort of heaven on Earth experiences by meditating on God and communing with the Holy Spirit. Sorry, Doug but this sounds like a lot more like an Northern American Protestantism and not much like either Catholic or Orthodox mystical traditions or hermeticism.

[@DougsDharma]

It’s a video about Buddhist practice …

[@sandeepsandeep-mt5fp]

video is not useful....