Vipassana as Taught by S.N. Goenka in Hawaii

By Karyn Chambers

“Unless we investigate the world within, we can never know reality–we will only 

know our beliefs about it. . .”

A couple of months ago, I discovered Vipassana meditation. I had heard of it many times over the years, but had no idea the depth it could provide. Vipassana means “to see things as they really are.” It’s an ancient practice “rediscovered” by Siddhartha Gautama 2,500 years ago. The practice of Vipassana involves watching the breath, a simple, natural process that provides an anchor outside of the mental processes that most people think of as “I”, “Me”, or “Mine.”  We have been taught that our thoughts belong to “I”, and it’s the source of who we are. However, once we start the practice of observing the breath and watching thoughts come and go, we experience firsthand that consciousness exists outside of the mind. We can see thoughts and even emotions arise inside consciousness and pass by without us being hooked by them. When we look, there is actually no person involved. It’s a program that can cause suffering if we identify or ignore it. Often thousands of thoughts pass by within our minds without us noticing.

What’s significant is that if our goal is to end our suffering and be free of this illusory persona that masquerades as us, we must pay attention and discover how to utilize this practice to see where thoughts and emotions come from, and that they are temporary/transient.  Most people are completely unaware of how we are manipulated and controlled by the desires and cravings hidden in our thoughts. The ultimate goal is moksha, which in Sanskrit means “liberation from samsara, the endless cycle of death, rebirth, and reincarnation.”  In Buddhism, the term nirvana is used, “extinction, “to blow out.” This refers to extinguishing our passions, which offers a state of peace and neutrality, inner wisdom not controlled by selfishness or craving. 

For me, practicing Vipassana daily reminds me that “emptiness” and “silencing the mind” are entirely possible–even desired because Awareness is always present. In fact, it’s who we truly are–objective, neutral, peaceful. Emotions and thoughts are like clouds in the sky, appearing within awareness. The more we quiet the mind, the more we are liberated from the nonsense created by our unconscious memories and stories that color and influence how we experience reality. Perception is shaped by our biases, belief systems, and traumas. Perception carries our fears and unresolved emotions, thus our triggers that typically replay old wounds of abandonment, rejection, and betrayal by our early caretakers. 

Lord Buddha–Siddhartha Gautama–left behind his royal status, parents, young wife, and baby to seek the answer to why we grow old, get sick, die, and reincarnate once again. His journey was rigorous, intense, and extreme. For six years, he remained homeless, fasting, not bathing, and living in the forest. He became so emaciated that he was close to death, but still hadn’t discovered the root cause of suffering. Realizing his renunciation hadn’t yielded the results he was seeking, he ate some rice porridge, washed himself in the Ganga, and began practicing the middle way–Vipassana, simply observing the breath and watching in the stillness of awareness. Finally, he experienced full enlightenment–Nirvana, and was liberated from all of his past incarnations and karma. Moreover, he rediscovered the practice that has released millions from the bondage of suffering. 

In his first sermon, he taught the Four Noble Truths: 

1. Dukkha, the truth of suffering. 

2. Samudaya, the cause is craving, desire, and attachment–clinging to pleasant experiences and aversion to unpleasant ones, and ignorance of reality. 

3. Nirodha, it’s possible for suffering to end by letting go of attachment and craving for reality to be other than it is. Nirvana is possible. 

4. Magga, suffering can end by following the Eightfold Path, a practical guide of ethics and mental discipline. 

Buddhism is not a religion; it’s actually a science. It’s a method of psychological evolution and an ethical philosophy. Anyone can practice Vipassana and discover the way out of suffering, experiencing reality as it is–unfiltered, unlabeled by the mind—enormously amazing, beautiful, pristine, and inviting. Once we see how fascinating this inner journey can be, we will want to watch and discover how our consciousness can be reshaped/rewired, releasing us from suffering.  Even a small opening creates enthusiasm for the practice to ensue, and it becomes a delight to see and experience reality as it is. 

Vipassana as Taught by S.N. Goenka

Who is S.N. Goenka? Satya Narayana Goenka (1924-2013) was an Indian teacher of Vipassana, born to a Hindu family in Burma. He became an influential teacher of the Buddhist path of liberation–Vipassana–which is non-sectarian, universal, and scientific. He played a huge role in establishing Vipassana meditation centers all over the world. Goenka suffered from severe migraine headaches, and a friend recommended a Vipassana teacher for relief. As a result, he trained for fourteen years under Sayagyi U Ba Kin, who authorized him to train Vipassana teachers. Vipassana provided a transformational practice that healed his physical pain and brought him to complete joy and happiness–free from misery. Thus, he eventually became the approved Vipassana teacher in Burma, and later moved to India, setting up centers there and throughout the world.

Goenka created the 10 day foundational residential retreat to reveal insights that can only be experienced, laying the groundwork for this lifelong purification practice, resulting in happiness and freedom from the illusions of the mind. Highly respected, Goenka never became a guru or charged for these incredible retreats. The retreat lays the groundwork for liberation from mental defilements–the root cause of suffering for oneself and others. Many of his recorded lectures and teachings can be easily found on YouTube. I actually have been binge-watching these, which deepened my understanding and passion to attend the 10 day retreat. The Art of Living: Vipassana Meditation as Taught by S.N. Goenka, written by one of his lifelong students, William Hart, is another excellent resource to provide clarity and inspiration. He says the ultimate goal is to align ourselves with universal laws to avoid harming ourselves and others. For example, when we become inflamed by anger or jealousy, it creates defilement that causes delusion and disease within ourselves and others. Thus, by actively observing thoughts and emotions, these impurities and mental habits begin to dissolve and dissipate, allowing our mind to become calm and clear. Many psychosomatic illnesses disappear when the mind is freed from agitation. Staying ignorant harms everyone. Anyone, regardless of religious identity, can practice Vipassana and experience the benefits. 

“The mind becomes as calm as a mountain lake at dawn, perfectly mirroring its surroundings and at the same time revealing its depths to those who look more closely.” 

Vipassana in Maui, Oahu, and The Big Island

As I began investigating to discover whether we had Vipassana practitioners here locally, I found that 10 day residential retreats are offered at Camp Wai’anae and Camp Pupukea on Oahu, where cabins with bunk beds, a full kitchen, and room for camping tents. According to Goenka, the teachings of Vipassana should never become a business; thus, no charge should be requested for accommodations, food, or training to keep the teachings pure. It is donation-based. Students who complete the 10 day course can donate funds based on what they can afford for the next group of students to attend. Once students experience the benefits of ten days of silence, no reading, writing, or technology, guided by those with many years of training, they will want to contribute so that others can also learn this amazing practice. 

When applying to participate in a 10 day retreat, students are required to follow a code of conduct that includes five precepts: 

1. to abstain from killing any being.
2. to abstain from stealing. 
3. to abstain from all sexual activity.
4. to abstain from telling lies.
5. to abstain from all intoxicants.

Three additional precepts involve: 

6. to abstain from eating after midday.
7. to abstain from sensual entertainment and bodily decorations.
8. to abstain from using high or luxurious beds.

Students must be willing to follow the guidelines of instruction by the teachers for the duration of the ten days. During the course, any other forms of prayer or worship must be discontinued so that the practitioner experiences the purity of the teachings and techniques in their purist form. This is not to say that chanting or visualization is wrong or bad, but it interferes with learning the strategies by themselves.  Even though the 10 days are completely silent–with no eye contact or even body language with other students, participants can meet privately with their teacher to ask questions and receive clarification if need be. What I find most intriguing about Vipassana is learning to stay with the body and breath without running toward distractions and resistance. It’s about learning to sit with pain without suffering, merely watching, seeing, and experiencing it dissolve. Then the student sees beyond the construct of the inflated mind to see “reality as it truly is,” beautiful, joyous, miraculous beyond words. 

Vipassana Hawaii. http: //vipassanahawaii.org. (The 10 day Retreat Schedule, locations, and application)

Vipassana on The Big Island

When looking for Vipassana on the Big Island, I found Kirpal as a location where one can stay and practice within their serene sanctuary.  However, although they invite facilitators to host meditation groups at their location, currently there are no Vipassana one or 10 day retreats offered. I discovered that the foundational 10 day retreat is a first step in connecting with Big Island groups that meet regularly online. Maybe if a group of students expressed a desire for the 10 day retreat here in Puna, teachers might come and facilitate the practice.  

Kirpal Meditation and Ecological Center 13-260 Pohoiki Rd., Pahoa. http://kmechawaii.org

In the meantime, I’ve found “Declutter the Mind” on YouTube which offers a plethora of guided meditations on various issues such as how to sit with stress, a guilty conscience, procrastination, the blues, and so much more! These meditations are 15-20 minutes in length, providing support for beginners. Doing these guided meditations spills over into the rest of your day as a new practitioner to strengthen anchoring conscious awareness with the breath and loosening the grip of the defilements of the mind. Amazing how such a small investment of time can yield rich rewards.  (Declutter the Mind. YouTube)

In addition, I found Elena Kundro’s testimonial tremendously inspiring. She’s a therapist and shares her personal experience of the 10 day retreat. So helpful. I felt so excited to attend the retreat after hearing about its benefits. Impressive!

Vipassana, “seeing reality as it is,” allows us to “know thyself” and journey further along on the path of Self-Realization with the blessings of Siddhartha Gautama’s 2,500-year-old discovery of the root of suffering. Through awareness, we can be freed from inner pollution by recognizing the Truth of reality by experiencing it for ourselves. 

“Each of you, make for yourself an island, make yourself a refuge; there is no other refuge. Make truth your island, make truth your refuge; there is no other refuge,” Lord Buddha.

References Hart, William. The Art of Living: Vipassana Meditation as Taught by S.N. Goenka

Photos courtesy of Pixaby