Why is meditation gaining attention now? Vipassana Meditation

The challenges facing modern society and the importance of meditation

A stressful society and mental health crisis

　In modern society, various factors are causing stress, such as work, home, or information overload due to the spread of digital technology. In this environment, mental health problems are rapidly expanding, with more and more people suffering from symptoms such as depression and anxiety disorders. Meditation is the key to dealing with this. Traditional practices, such as Samata meditation and Vipassana meditation, are particularly said to help reduce stress and stabilize emotions. These meditations also allow for a wider Gestalt perspective and can also help to deepen self-awareness.

Increased interest in mindfulness

　In recent years, many people have been interested in mindfulness, which focuses on "now here." This conscious awareness has spread as mindfulness meditation. As has been confirmed through many research and practice, the introduction of mindfulness not only contributes to improving work performance and relationships, but also increases stress resistance. In this background, the power of Vipassana meditation to "see as it is" is once again in the spotlight.

Lack of self-reflection and its impact in the digital age

　With the advancement of digital technology, we are constantly exposed to information, and our attention is often directed towards comparisons with others and external stimuli. As a result, time spent on self-reflection and deep thoughts is sacrificed, and opportunities to listen to the voices of our hearts are reduced. This situation can easily lead to increased stress and lack of self-awareness. Meditation, especially Vipassana meditation, provides time to rethink and calibrate your mind as you are shaking the digital world. This allows us to regain the feeling of being "here and now" that is becoming lost in the digital age.

Scientific evidence behind the attention of meditation

　The effects of meditation have also been supported by recent scientific research. For example, research using functional MRI and electroencephalography (EEG) has confirmed that meditation can lead to positive changes in brain structure and function. This effect not only increases concentration and stress tolerance, but also contributes to increased emotional stability and happiness. Additionally, a study conducted by La Trobe University in Australia shows that the mental effects of 10 days of meditation lasts for six months. This kind of scientific evidence has increased the reliability of meditation practices and has inspired many people to find its value.

What is Vipassana meditation?

Basic concepts and practices of Vipassana meditation

　Vipassana meditation is a meditation method that emphasizes observation and awareness. Vipassana, which means "observing" or "seeing as it is" in Sanskrit, aims to gain deep insights by carefully observing one's own bodily sensations, thoughts and emotions that occur at the same time. This meditation method requires a simple attitude of watching the events that occur rather than focusing on a particular object.

　The most common practice is to first choose a quiet place and then do it in a sitting or lying down position. We focus our attention on our breathing, and then we observe our physical sensations and mental movements. Through this process, you can carefully observe the distractions, emotions, and desires that appear in your mind, and release them without being attached to them.

Differences and mutuality with Samata Meditation

　There are two broad types of meditation: Vipassana meditation (view) and Samata meditation (stop). Samata meditation aims to calm the mind by focusing on a specific object. Vipassana meditation, on the other hand, aims to go beyond focusing on the object and to identify the true nature of an event and the truth behind the phenomenon.

　The two are not conflicting, but rather complementary. The deep state of concentration through Samata meditation is the foundation for deepening awareness during the Vipassana meditation process. This collaboration creates the so-called "Gestalt" and develops the ability to understand things more overall. A balanced practice of two meditations will lead to mental stability and increased insight.

The position of Vipassana in Buddhist philosophy

　In Buddhist thought, Vipassana meditation is considered to be one of the important practices embodied by Buddha. It is related to "righteous thoughts" and "righteous definitive" in the Buddhist Eightfold Path, and is considered a means of promoting correct awareness and stability in thought. However, Vipassana is not the only meditation method, and Buddhism has a wide variety of meditation techniques. Among these, Vipassana is particularly emphasized as a technique for observing phenomena "as they are."

　Also, as compared to a deceiving picture, our perceptions are limited, and we aim to understand the ultimate truth that has surpassed that limit through Vipassana meditation. From this perspective, Vipassana is not merely an activity for relaxation, but also has a philosophical and practical approach.

Meditation's impact on the mind and body and experience of transformation

　It is said that by continuing Vipassana meditation, many people feel various benefits for both the body and mind. One is that it reduces stress and improves concentration and calmness. These effects have also been supported by scientific research and have been confirmed to lead to changes in brain waves and nerve activity.

　Meditation also cultivates the ability to recognize your own emotions and thought patterns and to look at them all over the place. Through this process, people deepen their self-awareness and sometimes experience changes their views on life and values ​​themselves. It has been reported that many cases have deepened happiness and empathy for others as a result of meditation over a long period of time.

　These transformational experiences are not only characterized by short-term effects, but also the long-term changes that can be achieved through daily accumulation. Vipassana meditation can be said to be a unique technique that aims to harmonize the mind and body through its sustained practice.

Why Vipassana Meditation is attracting attention

Vipassana as self-exploration and healing

　Vipassana meditation has been attracting attention as a process of deep self-exploration that goes beyond mere relaxation. This meditation practice involves observing the inner self and accepting the emotions and thoughts that arise within it without judging. In today's world where stress and anxiety are high, we can calm our minds and heal our minds through this self-observation. In particular, when combined with the feeling of Gestalt from Samata meditation, it promotes the experience of deep awareness.

The effects of meditation supported by neuroscience

　The effects of Vipassana meditation have also been revealed in recent years in brain science. Studies examining brain status during meditation have confirmed that fMRI and EEG can be used to improve prefrontal cortex activity. This area is involved in concentration and emotional control, and meditation can reduce stress and increase happiness. Additionally, a study from La Trobe University in Australia reported that the effects of 10-day Vipassana meditation practice lasts for six months. This is powerful evidence to support the role of meditation as a brain muscle training.

The popularity and impact of retreats around the world

　Retreats where you can experience the practice of Vipassana meditation have been gaining popularity around the world in recent years. In particular, a 10-day intensive meditation retreat is known for bringing deep inner transformation into participants. For example, in Japan, Vipassana meditation courses are offered in Kyoto and Chiba, where many people have time to move away from the everyday life of modern society and face themselves. These retreats are widely supported as venues that provide tranquility and concentration, as well as valuable opportunities to acquire practical skills to incorporate meditation into everyday life.

How to incorporate Vipassana meditation into your life

Recommended practical environments and points to note for beginners

　Ensuring a quiet environment is extremely important for beginners to start Vipassana meditation. Make sure you have a relaxing space by reducing external noise as much as possible in your home or in a park. Also, for first-time users, we recommend that instead of forcing them to continue meditation for a long time, we recommend starting with a short period of 5 to 10 minutes.

　One thing to note is that if you feel physical discomfort or excessive concentration, do not overdo it and stop meditation. Vipassana meditation aims to observe your breathing and sensations "as is" and therefore there is no need to be attached to any particular sensation or thought. Samata meditation and Vipassana meditation are complementary to one another, with the former developing concentration, while the latter has the effect of deepening observational skills.

Tips for continuing to meditate on a daily basis

　In order to continue meditation on a daily basis, it is important to first develop the habit of preserving time for meditation during the same time of the day. Choose the best time to suit your lifestyle, such as after waking up in the morning or before going to bed at night. In addition, by making it a routine, you can lower the "hurdle" to meditation, making it easier to continue every day.

　Another trick is to set your expectations for yourself to be something that is not too high. Although the effects of meditation are shown based on scientific evidence, changes such as concentration and happiness are not always instantly visible. Therefore, the key is to avoid feeling the pressure of "meditating perfectly."

A short meditation flow that can be done at home

　To incorporate meditation into your busy daily life, it is a good idea to incorporate simple flows that can be done in a short amount of time. Below is a recommended Vipassana meditation process:

1. Prepare - Sit in a quiet room and turn off notifications on your smartphone or other devices. Take deep breaths one or two to reset your mind.
   
2. Focus on your breathing/close your eyes and concentrate on the inhalation and exhalation breath through your nose. It's important to just feel the natural breathing without having to take deep breaths.
   
3. Observe body sensations: Gradually expand your consciousness through breathing, and observe the sensations as if scanning each part of your body (from the toes to the top of your head). If you feel uncomfortable or nervous, you just need to recognize its existence without trying to change it.

　This simple flow can take about 5-10 minutes. By balancing Samata meditation and Vipassana meditation, and incorporating meditation into your daily life for a short time, you can refresh your brain and mind.

Vipassana meditation brings future possibilities

Change in individuals and ripple effects on society

　Vipassana meditation is attracting attention as a meditation method that brings deep change to individuals. Through self-reflection, we help you understand your own emotions and patterns of thought and gain a new perspective on them. This process has been reported to reduce stress, improve concentration and increase happiness. This is also the result of scientifically proven structural changes in the brain and reconstruction of neural networks. These individual level effects can eventually have a positive impact on the workplace, home and community, leading to peace and harmony across society.

Applicability in the field of education and medical care

　Vipassana meditation also has great potential in the fields of education and healthcare. For example, incorporating meditation in school education can promote children's concentration and emotional stability. In addition, many research findings have shown that meditation is effective in relieving anxiety disorders and depression symptoms in the medical field. In this way, more and more cases of meditation have been used as part of programs and treatments aimed at improving mental health. Vipassana meditation focuses on self-observation, and can be key to patients and educators' awareness of their condition.

The role of meditation towards realizing a better society

　The social role of Vipassana meditation is very broad and has many possibilities. As individuals continue to reflect on themselves and live more consciously, it is expected that empathy for others will increase and conflicts and misunderstandings will be reduced. It also serves as a tool to mitigate problems such as excessive consumption of information and lack of self-reflection in the digital age. Furthermore, the combination of the Gestalt perspective of Samata meditation and Vipassana's "view as it is" perspective will enable a more flexible and creative approach to social issues. Meditation begins with the individual and ultimately functions as a key to positive ripple effects across society.

Shokey Hayashi

Exorcist/Radionics Technique Researcher

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Born in Aomori Prefecture in 1965, he has been suffering from troubles, illnesses and injuries caused by spiritual phenomena since childhood. However, one day, when he was 20 years old, he attended an event, had a mysterious experience at the venue, and was hit by lightning energy from the heavens, as if piercing the spinal cord from his brain, and his psychic abilities blossomed. He then began studying psychology and psychiatry, and now he has combined psychiatry and consciousness engineering. Established "Radionics exorcism" using our own radionics techniques. "It's possible to treat your fortune" beyond exorcism, memorial service, and healing.