Vipassana meditation course set in Cavite

MANILA, Philippines - What can a Vipassana sitting offer? SN Goenka, the man who introduced the ancient technique of Buddha to the world, emphasized that a Vipassana meditative sitting guarantees a gradual movement to happiness and peaceful co-existence with others.

A 10-day Vipassana course is offered on April 1-12 at the Sico Farm in Dasmariñas Cavite. 

At the start of the Vipassana 10-day course is an introduction to five precepts: abstain from killing, abstain from stealing, abstain from sexual misbehavior, abstain from lying, and abstain from intoxication.

Living with the precepts, however, needs the support of “awareness.” During the 10-day course, SN Goenka would always remind the “meditator” to remain aware of what he/she is going through. Stay faithful with the technique of developing awareness. Stay alert.

Awareness, as taught by SN Goenka, is a matter of keeping in touch with living in the present moment. To be aware of living in the present moment is also to live in time, to live in the flow. If life has it causes and effects, to live in the present is to have awareness of the choices we make now, knowing that these bear fruits later. Choices can lead to happiness or misery. To live in the present is also to learn to nurse the mind because our refuge is in us and not in something outside.

We are in a moment of history wherein references abound and they confuse us. One medical doctor said that before, people were so ignorant about primary health care. Today, he added, with all these medicines and food supplements coming up, people are instead confused. The confusion is not only in medicine but also in many other things. Is the Internet overpowering you, too?

Together with awareness is what SN Goenka calls equanimity. One of the insights you gain from a Vipassana sitting is the fact that you are the author of your actions. It is up to you to weigh your priorities. Pains and pleasures come and go, equanimity teaches you to accept these for what they are and decide against letting them overwhelm you. It is part of nursing the mind.

For inquiries on the Vipassana course, call 895-3591, 639-3047, 0917-8676408 or 0917-882-5541. Log on to www.dhamma.org.