The Art of Living --------- A Ten Part Series by a Modern Day Yogi --------- Part 1 Meditation

The Art of Living 

Part 1 - Meditation

I came across a book called "The Art of Living: Vipassana Meditation" by William Hart. This book describes an ancient meditation technique that can be employed by anyone. Vipassana Meditation, states Hart, "can be used  to solve problems, develop unused potential, and lead a peaceful, productive life."

Meditation seems difficult at first. Because we live such busy lives and the only time we think about bringing the mind and body into a state of calm is when we are preparing to go to sleep. This meditation technique must be experienced first hand and with the assistance of an experienced teacher. In order to prepare for the experience you would contact a Vipassana meditation center to get the full details on schedule and preparing for the ten day course.

When preparing for the course, travel light, keep it simple and keep an open mind. Attending the course for the first time there is much anticipation. Each persons experience during the course is different. You will meet people from a very wide cross section of society. You will spend a lot of time with the group of people attending your course. You will have meals together as a group (women and men in separate dining rooms).
The first ten days allows enough time to actually learn this meditation process through many hours of actual practice.

I most enjoyed the time during the ten-day courses and one-day courses I have attended as an opportunity to press the reset button for the mind, body and spirit. Upon completing the course you can sustain the daily practice of meditation by setting aside time in the morning and evening. The most unique aspect of the course is that this practice for ten days is done in complete silence.

Sitting in silence during this type of meditation enables you to know yourself at a deeper level. This is the first thing you learn in the course that teaches us about the ancient art of living.

Northwest Vipassana Center http://www.dhamma.org

Namaste,
Dee
www.kanjinyoga.com