What is Vipassana? Vipassana is clear intuitive insight into physical and mental phenomena as they arise and disappear, seeing them for what they actually are -- in and of themselves -- in terms of the three characteristics: impermanence, unsatisfaction and non-self. Vipassana is the way which leads eventually to the attainment of nibbana, perceptual happiness. In the practice of vipassana, insight arises through a direct meditative observation of one’s own bodily and mental processes. Samadhi (a concentration) that is useful to practise vipassana is khanika samadhi.In the Buddhist texts, there are comments about the spiritual health gained from Tranquil Meditation and Insight Meditation practice. Physical health is a good side effect of improving spiritual health as mentioned earlier. Below is a comparison of the positive effects of Tranquil and Insight Meditation.
Tranquil Meditation
- Deep physical rest and relaxation and improved physical health
- Complete mental rest along with the attainment of a high level of happiness
- A complete free mind
- Strengthened memory
- Increased learning power
- More effective job performance
- Initiative and creative wisdom
- A wholesome and effective outlet for coping with life’ problems
- Subtle tranquillity and happiness
Insight Meditation
- Attainment of ‘the light of wisdom’ in dispelling the ‘darkness of ignorant’ in life;
- Elimination of wrong views in life;
- Elimination of the ‘multiplier of adverse feelings or suffering’ in life;
- Providing the most effective and unique method of relieving mental wandering;
- Preventing the adverse and harmful unwholesomeness which is about to occur from wishing;
- Effective weakening or elimination of the power of past unwholesomeness;
- Bringing about the wholesomeness which has not yet arisen and intensifying the power of past wholesomeness;
- Increasing the effectiveness of wholesome and highly beneficial memory power and the ability to cope effectively with unwholesome and extremely harmful memory power;
- Attainment of a mind of the highest degree and with the most complete freedom;
by Bhikku Pinayo Prommuang
Translation by: Ven. Thanissaro Bhikku
