Re: Vipassana meditation
I am aware of an person who is an orthodox brahmin in practice with peethadhikara (i.e he is a Guru, and that too of a very exalted lineage), but still practices Vipassana. Vipassana as a technique has little animosity with so called Yoga (I don't know what exactly is Raja Yoga). Watching the breath (anapanasati) and its generalization in vipassana should be good for all. This is about the technique of Vipassana, which is well known in Theravada buddhist and not S.N Goenka's propriatory material.
Only thing to be aware of is the excess baggage in form of dogmas and organization charters these organizations attach with the practice. From what I have heard S.N. Goenka's course does some preaching against Hindu practices (may not be directly, but indirectly by criticizing rituals, 'idol' worship etc). If you are mature enough, you should be able to filter out the right things. As far as I know S.N. Goenka is not a fraud or a cultist. But you should still verify with those who have done the course.
But it should be far better than money minting scams of so called Hindu organizations who teach yoga with a huge dose of fatalism in order to create saviour cults much like christian missionaries or worse.
Originally Posted by
motivateman
Dear All,
This is my first post here, so hello to all of you.
I'm a Hindu, but like to welcome and understand all major religions.
Although I wasn't very religious when I was younger, I'm becoming more so as I get older and enjoy reading the Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads and going to the mandir. I'm still learning a lot and have a lot of learning to do.
I also practice yoga and like to meditate. The type of meditation I do is just observing the breath going in and out and also vipassana which is associated with Buddhism. I find the meditation useful in a self-help sense (to help with anxiety and fear) and also to become more spiritually developed.
I'm now thinking about taking my meditation to the next level by attending a 10 day vipassana course as taught by S.N Goenka.
I just wanted to ask if any people on this forum who strongly follow the Hindu faith have attending such a course, and whether it helped you in reaching your journey to become one with God (e.g. become one with Brahman) or in your own journey of being a Hindu (whatever that is to you)?
Or did attending the course cause conflict for you?
I just wanted to know as although I really want to attend the vipassana course from a self-help perspective, I know that in Buddhism the concept of non-self and no soul is believed, which although I have respect for, do not believe in.
I would much appreciate if you could share your experiences/thoughts/comments.
Best wishes,
motivateman
What is Here, is Elsewhere. What is not Here, is Nowhere.
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