Health Camp at Sumel Gram

What follows is a description of an event that took place more than two years ago. Here, I am re-constructing that experience from the notes I had kept safe in my Desktop.

Today, I had a new experience. I participated in an ‘outreach programme’, under which a reputed city hospital organized a health awareness and check-up camp at a village close to our college.

In the morning at 8:40am, we started from our college in three cars. The village Sumel is at a 10 minute drive from our college. We reached the village expecting that the volunteers from the hospital would greet us. But what happened was contrary to our expectations, for we had reached first. We realized that it - what is commonly referred to as the Indian Standard Timing – was being followed. The team of doctors reached the venue at 9:15.

The venue was a Rajkiya Vidyalaya (govt. school). The event had been planned with the permission of the mukhiya of the village. That was a tough job and required a number of interactions with the mukhiya, and was accomplished by some senior members of the hospital.

As we entered the Rajkiya Vidyalaya, we observed that the buildings were crude. There were classrooms, which had no chairs for the students, just one chair for teacher and a blackboard somehow engraved in the wall of the room. All rooms were similar. On the walls were written some aphorisms. I cannot recall them, but they were about virtues like patience, perseverance and hard-work. Also, there was a hand pump nearby, which probably was the only source of water for the school.

After having a quick look around, we were instructed to arrange chairs for the doctors in the classrooms; meanwhile our professor got busy meeting the distinguished doctors from the hospital. When we were finished with arranging chairs, we came back and stood near one of the tables thinking what to do next.

At that moment, a lady doctor came to us and inquired whether we were from LNMIIT. We nodded in affirmation. Then she told us about all that she expected us to do. We were to divide ourselves into two teams. One team had to make the health-cards for the villagers, and the other team had to go out in village to do a survey regarding the cooking habits, sanitation etc.

I wanted to go out for the survey, but was assigned the task to stay inside the school and make the health-cards for the villagers. We were told that when the first group returns back, we would be allowed to go for a survey.

Hence convinced, we sat down and started making the cards. The cards were a pre-requisite to get a free check-up. Thus, every villager first came to us and we wrote their personal details like name, age, family members and occupation on the card. The card was also helpful in getting them a discount, in case in future they had to visit the hospital.

Making cards for the villagers was an amazing experience. I found myself speaking the local dialect marwari with them. Most of the patients were old people, who had come to the camp with great expectations.

While making the cards for people of all age groups in village I learned a few facts about the villagers:

• Most of them were unaware of their age. Only some young people knew their exact age. When I asked them their age, they said, “साहिब, थे देख ल्यो , जत्ती बरस का लागें, उत्ती बरस का लिखद्यो | (sahib, just look at us and estimate our age and write it down)”

• The women did not speak out the names of their husband and blushed whenever we asked them to say it aloud.

• Many people were not interested in coming even for the free check-up. Some people came only after continuous persuasions by the other team.

The doctor had asked to make one card per family. In most of the families, there were around 6-7 members. The process was going on smoothly, when an old lady came.

We asked her about her family…

She said, “Sons…yes, I have 6 sons.”  (Of course, she spoke marwari)

Then my question was, “are they married?” to which she replied, “Yes.”

“Tell us their names.”

She started reciting the names of his sons and daughters-in-law. I paused writing down the names for a second and asked, “What about grandsons and granddaughters?”

“Yes, there are many of them. Shall I tell you their names also??”

I said, “No thank you…I’ll manage it.”

There was no room left on the form and I stopped.

• There were some who told the names of their sons –“ goliyo, kaliyo, bhuriyo, bantiyo...” The suffix 'iyo' was ever present.

Time went past quite fast while interacting with the villagers and making the cards. The entire time, a little boy kept playing around the table and smiled whenever I saw him.  Sometime later we took a break. A few bottles of soft-drinks were handed over to us. The drinks were energising and replenished the fluids we had lost in the heat.

An hour after noon the other team returned from the survey and we came to know about the actual condition of the villages and villagers. Some of them were not coming to the health camp, even though they were terribly ill, may be because of the lack of trust in those “शहरी डॉक्टर (doctors from the city)”. The other team also reported that most of the houses in the village did not have the basic sanitation facilities like a toilet and the food was still cooked in the “kachhi rasoi (कच्ची रसोई)", wherein coal and wood was burnt as a fuel. Some of them knew about the smokeless chulha, and told the team, “आपकी बात तो सही है, लेकिन उस चूल्हे पे बने खाने में स्वाद नहीं आता | (What you say is true, but the food does not taste good on that smokeless chulha.)” Another observation made was that some rich villagers possessed vehicles like Tata-Sumo which stood gleaming outside their houses, yet the women folk went out in the open to respond to the call of the nature.

Now, it was our turn to go ahead for the survey in the other direction which the first team had left for us, but we were informed that lunch had been arranged. So we agreed to go after having some food. Although not sure of what we would get in that village school, we went to the classroom which was temporarily turned into an eating place. We were surprised to find that the food looked quite good and when we tasted it, we found it to be utterly delicious. We were hungry and gorged on the sumptuous meal. Later, we came to know that it had been brought from some good place in the city

After satiating our hunger, we got ready for our endeavour ahead. Surprisingly, we were informed that the time to go back had come. Some of us protested that it was just 2pm and the health camp was supposed to be till 4pm. How could the doctors leave??

But, they were leaving and so were we. We were disappointed. Someone amongst us said, "these doctors just wanted to show the senior members of hospital that they are concerned about the villages. Now that the senior members are gone, they have no reason to stay here till 4pm."

While we were waiting for the vehicle, which took us back to college, an elderly man walked in for an eye check-up. The doctors were gone. Whoever remained were some nurses and other medical staff. The man said “sahib, I have walked 6 Km. on foot to come here and now you say that there is no one.” Our professor who was probably of the same age went up to him and offered him a lift back to his place. With the doctors gone, that was the best he could do. Somehow the man calmed down.

But soon after an old woman came and said that she had pain in her knees and needed to see a doctor. A medical staff from the hospital tried to convince her that the doctors had gone away and that she should get a health-card made and come to the hospital in the city for her check-up.

But she was not calmed. She released her frustration by saying, “मैं डोकरी छु ना, मने इलाज के ताईं कोई सहर न ले जाये |. (I am an old useless woman. Why would anyone take me to the city doctor?).”

Her words conveyed more than what she wanted to say.

However, no one could convince her. She needed a medicine. Finally a nurse came up with a solution. He handed her some painkillers and asked her to take one tablet each after lunch and dinner. She calmed down and went back to her home.

Some others may also have come after that, but we were on our way by then.

Recalling this experience I think, what if the senior members of the hospital had stayed till the end? Or, what if the other doctors were also equally concerned about the villagers?

The experience brings forth to my memory both happiness and sadness. But still, it was a learning experience. It was an attempt to understand the villages of my nation, which according to Gandhiji if uplifted would help our nation progress better.

‘Sarvodaya’ is the dream. I hope that we are soon able to transform that dream into reality.

MIRACLES V

THE LAW OF NATURE

While doing Vipassana another law of nature was presented. As we could feel the subtlest of sensations in our body, we were told -

Now when you get angry, or when emotions like hate or jealousy start to infest your mind, just start observing the sensations in your body and observe them with an objective mind and understanding of ‘anicca’ (or impermanence). You will realize that negative emotions generate a kind of burning sensation inside your body. However, it subsides when you start focussing on the sensation itself.

Why did you feel the sensation?

Because, the Law of the Nature says – If you try to harm someone else, you end up harming yourself first, and then only are you able to harm someone else.

The question was raised in one of the discourses – Do heaven and hell exist for real, where a person goes after death?

Goenkaji jokingly said, “See, I have not died. So I don’t know.”

Then on a serious note he continued, But, every human being is punished for his/her deeds on the earth itself. A person, who has told a lie, is punished at each instant. He is always tensed – what if, my lie gets revealed. That is his punishment. His conscience is punished at every moment. He does not have inner peace. He is not able to get a peaceful sleep at night.

SOME SNAPS OF DHAMMATHALI

Here you can find pics of the place which I had visited. Living in this place in the scorching heat, I realized that we possess enormous endurance levels, which can be harnessed once we train our brains.

Here's the link.

http://www.thali.dhamma.org/photos.shtml

Have a look !

LAST DAY

The seventh day was the one when the vow of Arya Maun was broken (at least formally), and we were allowed to interact with one another.  We came to know that our one of our guruji was a गृहस्थ and had also come here only for the seven day period. With a smile, he told us, “अगर तुम लोगों ने मौन का पालन अच्छे से किया होता, तो आज तुम्हारी आवाज़ में एक अलग तेज होता... खैर कोई बात नहीं ... लेकिन यह बात बहुत अच्छी है कि तुम्हे अभी विपश्यना के बारे में पता चल गया... आगे तुम अपनी ज़िन्दगी में कभी भी इस ज्ञान को बेहतर ढंग से सीखने आ सकते हो |”

That day, we were taught one last technique known as ‘mangal-maitri’(मंगल-मैत्री). In this technique, we were required to focus our attention on the people whom we want to be happy and think about their well-being. As they explained, the human mind has enormous potential and if we think good of someone, good will happen. The positive vibrations of a focussed mind are far more potent than the wishes sent with an unfocussed mind.

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

Today, when I watch the documentary The Secret, I find that above statements are being reaffirmed by the modern scientists and/or philosophers. In fact, there is a branch of science known as Noetic Science. Its objective is to understand the various concepts of philosophy and religion from a scientific perspective. You can google it to know more about it. I read about it in Dan Brown’s novel The Lost Symbol.

There are critics of these studies as well, who are willing to put forward their logics to disregard the findings. But, even if these experiments are not very good proofs, your own experience is a proof that no one else can disregard.

I believe in what I am saying, and if someone wants to choose to not agree with me, it’s okay. Some day truth will be dawned on them, because, however hard you try to discard or disregard, the truth remains truth.

If the modern science cannot prove the above science, it is because the modern science is not capable enough to understand this ancient and powerful science. If you recall from history, there have been times when many concepts were supposed to be superstitions, false beliefs or miracles. However with time things got changed. Who could have thought that the earth is round; that it is not the centre of the solar system; that humans could fly on planes.  

Ancient India has a wisdom for all of us. The need of the hour is to embrace and propagate this wisdom. Interestingly, other nations recognize our wisdom and learn from us; unfortunately most of us do not. We are progressing as a nation where materialistic things are in abundance (which may be essential). But, we are lagging behind on gathering a spiritual quotient. We have less or no INNER PEACE.

It is time that we start embracing our ancient heritage and learn from it and propagate it. That will not only help our nation progress in the right direction, but also reduce our inferiority complex as a nation. We will stop the blind imitation of other nations and take pride in being Indians.

To conclude, I would like to put down Rudyard Kipling’s poem If which, according to Khushwant Singh, is a poem which carries the essence of Bhagwad Gita. I have not read Bhagwad Gita much. But, I can say this  that If carries the essence of some of the concepts of Vipassana Meditation. When the poem was taught to us in high school, I never really understood its importance. It is now that I see the depth in it.

“If you can keep your head when all about you 

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; 

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, 

But make allowance for their doubting too; 

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, 

Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies, 

Or, being hated, don't give way to hating, 

And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; 

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, 

But make allowance for their doubting too; 

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, 

Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies, 

Or, being hated, don't give way to hating, 

And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master; 

If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim; 

If you can meet with triumph and disaster 

And treat those two imposters just the same; 

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken 

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, 

Or watch the things you gave your life to broken, 

And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings 

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, 

And lose, and start again at your beginnings 

And never breath a word about your loss; 

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew 

To serve your turn long after they are gone, 

And so hold on when there is nothing in you 

Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, 

Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch; 

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you; 

If all men count with you, but none too much; 

If you can fill the unforgiving minute 

With sixty seconds' worth of distance run - 

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, 

And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!

- Rudyard  Kipling

मंगल-मैत्री कामना 

अज्ञान का अन्धकार दूर होए, 

सब पर ज्ञान का प्रकाश फैले, 

सबका मंगल होये, 

सबका भला होये ||   :)

(This was my attempt to narrate a valuable experience. What I have narrated is just a drop in this huge ocean. My intent was to arouse a curiosity about this ocean of knowledge. If you want to know more about Vipassana, explore http://www.dhamma.org/ And, if there is something you want to ask me, shoot the question at http://www.facebook.com/curious.tramp)

MIRACLES IV

The mind is everything. 

What you think you become.

- Buddha

INTERACTION WITH A PERSON FROM REHAB

Although the noble silence had to be followed strictly and the dhammasevaks used to keep a strict watch on us, we were at times successful in talking with the other meditators. All of us were anyways kids, who had by accident landed in this place. Anyone who is willing to go to such a camp should go with a prepared mind, because following rules will yield better effects.

One day while in Ashram, I talked to one of the fellow meditators.

He asked me, “Why are you here?”

I told him my story. He looked quite surprised. So, I asked him, “Why are you here?”

He said, “I was first in a jail and then in a rehabilitation center. Now I have come here.”

I was confused. I asked him, “Why were you in jail?”

He replied, “I had struck a person with a beer bottle.”

I did not know what to say. For the first time in my life, I had encountered a so-called “criminal”.

He does not look like a criminal. He appears to be a normal person like the many others we encounter in life. In fact, he appears to belong to well-off family and seems to be educated.

I was still not sure what to say. But, the silence was making me feel uncomfortable. So, I asked him, “Why did you hit your friend?”

He replied, “He had said something which enraged me. And, I was drunk and could not control my anger.”

He is calmly accepting his mistake. This rarely happens. It is always the case that people tend to justify their misdeeds. However, he was accepting what he had done.

“Where is your friend now?”

“He is in a hospital.”

“What do you plan to do after this meditation camp?”

Without much thought, he said, “I don’t know. Whatever my dad tells me to do.”

I don’t know from where these words emanated. But, I found myself saying, “You should go visit your friend and tell him that you are sorry.”

He smiled and told me, “You sound like my father!”

Once again, I did not know what to say.

The lesson of the story is simple. Every human being has a potential sage and a potential demon inside him. It is our attitude that determines what we become. With the help of meditation that attitude can be developed, which is what this person was doing.

VIPASSANA IN PRISON


Kiran Bedi, the first woman IPS Officer, was in 1990s taking care of the Tihar Jail. It was her belief that the people in prison needed to be rehabilitated instead of being punished. She was on a look out for a way to do that, when a constable told her about Vipassana.

First, she learned the meditation herself, then she made many policemen learn it and later it was taught to the prisoners of the Tihar. Tihar was transformed into an Ashram.

For better explanation, watch the Documentary: Doing Time, Doing Vipassana. or read http://www.prison.dhamma.org/tihar.htm

MEDITATION INSIDE THE PAGODA

the pagoda

You can see a picture of a pagoda here. A pagoda had many small circular cubicle-kind of rooms. After 4/5 days, a meditator is sent inside a pagoda where he/she is supposed to sit and practice the meditation technique. However, we were kids aged 14 – 19. When we were asked to go inside the pagoda to meditate, some of the kids started running, shouting and laughing. The dhammasevaks tried in vain to control them. After some time they asked us to go back to the meditation hall and continue our practice there.

THE EVENINGS

The evening time was allotted to us for walks. We were told that the Buddha also walked in the evenings. However, simply walking was not something we wanted to do. So, we passed by each other and smiled. We also talked whenever possible. At times, I drew images on the sand. Drawing a simple hut with a river flowing near-by gave me intense happiness. I did all the things which I liked in my childhood and had somehow forgotten. In fact, I even made a bow and an arrow using the wood. Without the dhammasevaka noticing, we played some sword-fights as well.

The saying - ‘happiness lies in small things of life’ - was materializing in front of us.

THE AFTER EFFECTS

The after-effects of this practice were clearly visible to my family. 

Earlier, my anger was uncontrollable. If someone did something to me, I was ready to beat back or take revenge. That feeling was too intense. And, if I could not take revenge, I used to feel very bad about it. After the camp, my anger subsided down. I became more compassionate. My anger was reduced to such a level that my brother - who used to enjoy teasing me and making me angry - was puzzled.

The practice strengthened my sub-conscious to such an extent that even in my dreams, if I had some conflict with someone, I asked the person to remain calm while resolving the conflict.

Then, there were some interesting incidents. This particular incident offers a lot of reasons why I should have been angry or irritated.

One day, my brother went by my scooter to some place at the time when I was supposed to go to my music classes. Instead of feeling bad, I lifted up my bicycle and started going towards my music classes, somewhere 6 kms from my house. On the way (around 2kms ahead), my cycle got punctured. I could not find any cycle-shop to get it repaired. I retraced my steps and went back home dragging my cycle till home. When I came back home, I quietly went in to my room and started reading newspaper. I did not feel that anything bad had happened. It was my mom who said, ‘आज तो तुझ पर विपश्यना का असर दिखा गया |’. My usual response at the end of such a situation would have been very bad. I would have lost my temper. I would have blamed my brother, who took the scooter with him. But, here I was sitting calmly in the room reading newspaper. There have been many similar incidents.

THE MIRACLE

What was my biggest miracle?

‘My anger gone’ was the biggest miracle. It was something that I had thought was not possible. For 17 years, my mom had tried in vain to make me understand that I needed to control my anger – at times by a small talk and at times by being stern. I did not and could not change. And in 7 days, there was a sudden change. What could I call it if not A MIRACLE.

PRACTICAL BENEFITS

It gives you a balanced-mind. A balanced mind has an enormous potential. It is said and widely believed today - 'In a healthy mind resides a healthy body'. Till some time back, we only believed that the converse of this was true. But, scientific evidence has now reaffirmed what had been told long ago by the propagators of the wisdom. 

Can Vipassana cure physical or mental diseases?

Many diseases are caused by our inner agitation. If the agitation is removed, the disease may be alleviated or disappear. But learning Vipassana with the aim of curing a disease is a mistake that never works. People who try to do this waste their time because they are focusing on the wrong goal. They may even harm themselves. They will neither understand the meditation properly nor succeed in getting rid of the disease. [Source: http://www.dhamma.org/en/qanda.shtml]

Even if one does not have any disease, a mind which is balanced and has INNER PEACE is capable of facing any situation; like Po the Panda who after attaining Inner Peace is able to catch and deflect the cannon-balls with his bare hands. (in the movie Kung Fu Panda 2)

The mistake which I did was that I did not continue the practice. And, if one does not continue the practice, the mind tends to return back to old habits. 

For me, the path lies in starting the practice again.

For my reader, the path lies in believing in this ancient wisdom. 

(The final episode will connect all the dots and present my objective of narrating this experience. I will also post some of the photographs of this Ashram. I will related my experience to Dan Brown's novel The Lost Symbol and another bestseller book The Secret. I will also relate it to Rudyard Kipling's poem If. The ancient wisdom that was dawned on me made me believe in many seemingly maverick theories. The wisdom is a true one. That we don't understand it fully is our limitation, not the limitation of the wisdom itself. Our ancient scientists were far more advanced than they seem to be today. Stay tuned for the last episode will further challenge your perception about the world.)

MIRACLES III

THE SUPER-SCIENTIST

Vipassana is an ancient meditation technique which was introduced to the world by a super-scientist. His name was Gautam the Buddha - the same person, who was born in Lumbini and in his initial days, was known as Prince Siddharth. Any layman will tell you that he was a God. That is far from the truth. No religious scriptures ever described him as God.

And, that is why Shri Goenka refers to him as a super-scientist. He explains further, “2000 years ago, the word ‘भगवान’ was not used to refer to a God, but to refer to ‘the one who shows you path’ or a ‘मार्गदर्शक’ ”. So in those days, when the Buddha was called a 'Lord' or 'भगवान', it meant that people regarded him as a teacher or guide."

Through his various experiments, he discovered the practice of Vipassana, and propagated it wherever he went. The tradition passed on through the guru-shishya-parampara through centuries, and continues in its pristine form even today.

And, this is what I was practicing.

For someone who may be sceptical and may think that this is a place where religious conversion takes place, I would like to say – I am following the same religion now which I used to follow before joining the camp. The only inconvenience one may have is that for 7-days, they don’t allow you to do any form of prayer. For those 7 days, you have to follow only what is being told. You are not even allowed to do Yoga or physical exercise.

The only thing you have to do in the camp is to train your mind.

Vipassana is simply a path shown by the Buddha, and is referred to as ‘dharma’(धर्म) by Goenkaji. As you know the word धर्म also means duty. If you abide by the धर्म or your duties, you are bound to live happily.

Buddha was always a normal human being. His curiosity and dedication led him to discover the great science of mind. He disentangled the mysteries and achieved ‘nirvana’. 

Okay, so Buddha has suggested something. And, that he got ‘nirvana’ using that is known. How does it help me? Do I also seek nirvana now? Is it not for some older people interested in spirituality?

The whole purpose of my telling this story is to tell you the practical benefits of this practice. Most of my readers are young, and I feel it is my duty to tell them about this great science. In my recent experience in the corporate world also, I realized that even these corporate people recognize the importance of such meditative practices.

THE JUNGLE

Many scary incidents happened as we were in the jungle and it was the middle of summer.

Apart from birds and squirrels, I saw a ‘nevla’ crossing the walkway.

Then, one day a ‘gohera’ was sitting just outside my room. I was inside. I opened the door of my room to go out, and suddenly felt a jerk as the door had hit something. When I moved forward to see what had hit the door, I saw a crocodile-like creature run fast into the shrubs near-by.

There were scorpions also. A big scorpion was found in my friend’s room and when he called the dhammasevaka, the scorpion was taken out using a broom and a bucket and was released near a shrub just outside the door. My friend protested saying that the scorpion should have been released at a distance, and that it might crawl back in. But, the dhammasevaka said, “Don’t worry. It won’t come.”

The vow of ‘not to kill any living being’ forbade us to do any harm to the creatures, even if they were poisonous.

Fortunately, the meditation halls were cleaned thoroughly and did not have these creatures.

However, anywhere else including our rooms, the fear of finding some dangerous creature was there. It was tough for me to sleep. I slept very ‘attentive sleep’ or what you know as श्वान-निद्रा. At night, even if I felt the touch of my own blanket, I would quickly get up, wear spectacles and turn on the light to make sure that it was not a scorpion or a snake.

For anyone interested in learning this meditation, the best thing to do is to go in the winters, because then most of the animals are undergoing hibernation. However, the summer experience is an altogether different challenge that has its own thrills.

The interesting thing is that I was less afraid at the camp. At nights, I would walk to the water-cooler which was around 200 metres from my room. I didn’t feel any fear at that time. Of course, this was the effect of meditation which I realized later.

THE MEDITATION - II

What is noble silence, and why is that so important?

Noble silence means silence not just in terms of speech; but also in terms of actions. When you look someone in the eye and smile, it conveys a message that I am happy you are here or I like you. Noble silence stresses that you avoid even the non-verbal communication. It means that you have to cut-off yourselves completely from the world. During the 7-day stay, you can only talk to your teacher wherein you can ask questions about the meditation. Nothing else.

The reason for noble silence was explained as follows: (my attempt to reconstruct words of Shri Goenkaji from memory)

“Here in this meditation camp, you have come to train your mind. At the moment, it is like an untamed horse. When you try to tame it, it will resist. Thus, initially you are required to work hard. When you are kept in touch with the outside world, the taming of mind becomes difficult, because the mind is occupied by the thoughts of the world. Thus, the training of mind requires complete isolation. After this 7-day training, you will go to your home and live in the normal world. But, the practice learned here should be continued at home also, at least for 1 hour daily. That way you will be able to get benefit of this knowledge. And, in any case as all of you are students, you will definitely improve your concentration and excel in studies.”

The ‘aanapana’ practised on the first three days sharpens your mind to feel even the subtlest of sensations around and inside your nose. You can feel the heat that emanates from the outgoing air that you breathe out.

On the third day afternoon, you receive the true wisdom, i.e. , Vipassana.

There are two important concepts of this science –

Anicca – impermanence

Samta - equanimity

During the practice of Vipassana, these two concepts play a central role. ‘anicca’ means that everything in the world is impermanent. Whatever sensations you feel are impermanent, whatever circumstances you encounter are impermanent. Good times follow bad times and bad times again follow good times. The cycle continues - like the Ashok Chakra on our national flag, which symbolizes motion or cycle. Interestingly, when you read history, you will come across Ashoka the Great who had after the blood-laden War of Kalinga got refuge in the path of the Buddha. The only constant law of the universe is CHANGE.

This is a law of nature. No one can deny it. And, if you believe it completely, you understand that good times follow bad times and bad times follow good times. This is a cycle. No one can stop that. What one can do is to learn how to react in these times. And, that is what the second principle teaches you.

‘samta’ means staying equanimous in all situations – whether it is pleasant or unpleasant.  Be objective. Be aware of the situation, but don’t develop any like or dislike for the situation. This way you can enjoy the good times and deal with the bad times in a proper manner.

To understand it better, imagine a person who is stuck in a building where fire alarm has gone off. The simple observation with which you will agree is that the one who panics will take wrong decisions and may add to the gravity of the situation further. However, one who thinks objectively and then takes an action will do much better.

Both the principles are applied while practicing Vippasana Mediation. With the newly acquired ability to focus our attention on our breath now the Guru asks us to move this focus gradually from head to toe and again from toe to head. As we move our focus through various body-parts, we feel many sensations – some pleasant and some unpleasant. The idea is simple. When you focus your attention on your body-parts where an unpleasant sensation is occurring, and observe it with an objective mind, you will realize that the sensation disappears after sometime.

Fantastic! You have just seen the proof of the principle of ‘anicca’ or impermanence in your own body.

This is a very simplified explanation of the concepts of Vipassana. A thorough understanding requires deep reading or a participation in a camp. 

AFTER-EFFECTS

(will be posted in the next post)

S.N. GOENKA

Mr. S.N.Goenka, who is today the leading teacher of Vipassana, was one of the most successful businessmen of his days in Burma. He was rich and respected. But one day, a tragedy affected his life. He was diagnosed with migraine pain. He went to the best of doctors, but with no success. His headaches were increasing in frequency and intensity, when one day his gardener (or some worker) told him about a spiritual teacher, who taught a meditation. That was when Shri Goenkaji met Sayagyi U Ba Khin, who later became his guru and who assigned to him the duty of spreading the technique to India - ‘the country of its origin’ - and the world.

Mr. Goenka has been invited to lecture by institutions as diverse as the United Nations General Assembly, members of the Indian Parliament, Harvard Business Club, Dharma Drum Mountain Monastery (of Ven. Sheng Yen) in Taiwan, the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the Smithsonian Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Silicon Valley Indian Professionals Association.

Today, the Vipassana meditation centres are spread all over the world. The meditation is practiced even in some of the prisons. 

DISCOURSES: MY FAVOURITE STORY

Everyday there were discourses by Shri Goenkaji. Here I present the story which I found most interesting.

The sages have always been great scientists. They used to study human mind. They knew the intricacies and complexities of mind, and understood how to control its behaviour.

Laymen used to go to the sages for advice on various issues.

Once, there was a man who told a sage that he gets angry quite quickly and that he needs a solution.

He was asked to recite numbers 1 to 100, when he feels the anger in him rising. He did that and was satisfied that he could control his anger to quite a good extent.

Then, another person came who had a similar problem. To this person, the sage suggested the same solution. However, he returned back after some time saying that the solution did not work for him.

So, the sage told him, ‘See, xyz is the name of a God and if you recite his name 108 times, He will give you power to control your anger.” He did that and was satisfied.

Then, another person came who was suggested this “108-times-recitation” method. He came dissatisfied saying that it was not working for him. So, the sage gave him a stone and told him, “This is a statue of the god. Recite his name 108 times and also put a ‘tulsi’ leaf near his feet after each recitation.” This man was also satisfied.

Similar incidents kept on happening and Gods and religious practices evolved. The aim was always one and the same – divert your mind away into something else, and your suffering shall disappear.

The basic problem with all these practices was that once the cause of the suffering returned back, the suffering of the human being also returned back. Moreover, with time the reasons for many of the practices were lost. Thus, the scientific practices got converted into orthodox religious practices, and the true essence of these practices was lost.

Thus, we should not believe in everything which others tell us to believe in. We should experiment and learn the truth by experience. 

(The next episode will cover more stories like - my interaction with a person from rehab, the after-effects of this meditation camp on myself and Vipassana inside prison.)

MIRACLES II

THE ASHRAM

My bag was packed and I ventured out on a life-transforming journey: a journey first into the never-before-seen forests of Aravali and then a journey that transcended my mind and soul.

In a jeep, there were eight of us. My friend’s cousins were also accompanying us. All were in their teens. In fact, some were younger than me. The jeep crossed the Transport Nagar, took a left turn and passed the Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh. Then it entered the valley filled with dense forests. Around fifteen minutes later, our jeep reached the threshold of a place known as ‘Dhammathali’(धम्मथली). There was a board which declared – “Vipassana Centre” (विपश्यना केंद्र). My friends had been to this place earlier and described how they had had fun when they were here the last time.

Though everything had happened quite fast in the last two hours, I was delighted.

Inside, we went to an office where registration was taking place. And all of a sudden, my heart came in my mouth for two shocking revelations dawned on me. There was a pamphlet which said:

One, we would not be given any dinner.

What the hell!

Two, we would have to observe आर्य-मौन (Noble Silence).

God, what is that?

One of the helpers, who are called the Dhammasevakas said, “That instruction is for an ‘adult camp’. You are in a ‘teenager camp’. You will get your dinner for sure. Don’t worry about it.”

“But, what about this आर्य-मौन ,” I said.

 “That my dear friend you will have to follow.”

I don’t remember what exactly he said to convince me; but I agreed to stay on. In fact, it seemed stupid to go back when all my friends including their younger siblings were staying. May be they were aware of what was to come, and chose to hide the fact from me deliberately. May be they themselves were not aware of it.  I have never asked them about it.

But then, what was that talk about playing cricket and hide-and-seek?

Later, someone informed me that earlier they had participated in a Children’s camp, which is 3 day long, and wherein the rules are less strict. Thus, they could play as well.

God, what is this place? Why am I here? 

DAILY CHORES

After registration, we were allotted separate rooms. Each room was a crude brick room with only whitewash and no paint. The size of a room was around 7-by-7 feet, with stone almirah and an attached bathroom. Interestingly, the room had only a single fan and none of the rooms had water-coolers. The same day, the morning newspaper had declared temperature as 45°C. I don’t remember my exact reaction. I was worried, but had no choice.

After an initial introduction to the meditation camp, we went to bed at 9 o’clock.

The first night was horrible. I could not sleep the whole night. The fan ran at its full-speed, yet I did not get any relief from the heat. Because the room had got heated in the day, the mattress was hot too. Even after pouring water on the mattress, the heat was unbearable. The mattress was kept on a crude wooden bed. After some hours, I stood up; put the mattress on the floor and tried to sleep on the wooden bed. But, even that did not help. Somehow night passed and morning came, when a dhammasevaka came in front of my room ringing a bell and requested me to get up.

Tired from the ordeal, I stepped out in the fresh morning air and took a deep breath. The fresh air that rushed in my lungs was rejuvenating and the landscape that was imprinted on my mind through the eye made me forget the tribulations of night.

Being in a forest, I witnessed some of the most amazing events. Simultaneously, 5-6 peacocks roaming about here and there. The volume of the chirping of a variety of birds seemed quite high. But, it was melodious and soothing. And, to add the pleasure was the breeze that ran through my clothes and made them sway.

Waking up early in the morning has its own pleasure, which only those who get up early can experience.

We gathered in the meditation hall and meditated for around half an hour. At 6 o’clock, we had breakfast which comprised of milk, fruits, porridge and some other things also (which I am unable to recall). It was wholesome and I enjoyed having the सात्विक भोजन | After having our meal, we had to wash our dishes also – an experience I had for the first time.

The daily itinerary for the 7 days was something like this:

(It is not an accurate schedule. I’m simply reconstructing it from my memory.)

5:15                      Wake up

5:30 – 6:00           Meditation Session

6:00 – 6:30           Breakfast

6:30 – 8:00           Time to clean room and take a bath        

8:00 – 12:00         Meditation sessions and lecture by Shri Goenkaji

12:00                    Lunch

12:30 – 2:00         Rest

2:00 – 4:30           Meditation sessions

4:30 – 5:00           Tea break

5:00 – 6:00           Time to walk

6:00 – 9:00           Meditation sessions + dinner + lecture by Shri Goenkaji

In the camp, everything was banned except the items of daily need. We were not supposed to carry anything like books/comics, cellphones, music-players etc. Only things that were allowed inside the camp were the ones which we needed to complete our daily chores. My cellphone was taken and locked inside the locker for 7 days. Of course, when one is practicing आर्य-मौन, cellphone is of no use. However, books and music can provide some solace. But, that too was not allowed.

The implications of all these restrictions would be understood later in the lecture by Shri S.N.Goenkaji.

THE MEDITATION - I

“Plant the seed of meditation and reap the fruit of peace of mind”
Unknown

Day 1 began and we were taught a meditation practice known as ‘aanapana’. According to the practice, we had to focus our mind on our breathing. And, that’s it.

Sounds simple! Does it not?

As soon as I started the practice of the technique, I discovered that it was not as easy as it sounded. It was very hard for me to keep my mind focused at one place. Thoughts started pouring in.

If I were not here, I would have watched a movie; I would have gone to play cricket; I would have eaten mom-made food. When I go out of this place, I will do this thing and that thing...

My mind kept wandering here and there. They kept reminding us that we had to focus our attention on our breath: Through my nostrils I am taking air in, I am releasing air out...air in...air out...air in...air out...

The explanation we received for the चंचल nature of mind was – ‘In life, most of the times we live either in the past or the future. We rarely live in the present. When you are being asked to focus your attention on your breath, you are simply practicing to live in the present. It is a tough thing. And, that is why you are here. Your mind is untrained and you need to train it.’

The 'aanapana' sessions lasted for an hour, after which we got a 10 minute break, and then again we were back to the meditation hall for the next session. We were told that we didn’t have to feel exasperated in case we could not concentrate. 

'Just observe the fact that your mind is not trained and is wandering away somewhere. As soon as you realize that it has wandered away, bring your attention back to your breath. Stay objective and equanimous.' 

With slight modifications each day, this practice continues for the first three days.

I thought, 'Okaaay! But, why would I need that practice? My life is anyways good. The past memories remind me of the good days and the future aspirations make me work hard.'

I was told, 'You will understand this better, when you learn a more advanced meditation technique – Vipassana. It will tell you the ultimate truth about why humans suffer. And, with that wisdom you will lead a happier life.'

I realized that I was not learning Vipassana at the moment. But, it was a preparation. I was being prepared to receive the ancient wisdom. 

THE ESCAPISM THAT GRIPPED ME

The day one was quite tough. I had just left the comfort of my home and all the sudden changes were too much for me. Whatever they said about the meditation seemed too difficult to follow. And, after lunch I went to our Guruji and told him literally crying, “I want to go back home.”

He was an old man of around 60 and was clad in white kurta-payjama. He told me, “देखो बेटा! ये तुम्हारा मन है | तुमने कभी इस पर control नहीं किया है ना, इसीलिए ये तुम्हारा विरोध कर रहा है |” (Its your mind revolting against you. You have never learnt to control it earlier in life. And, now it does not want to be controlled.)

“नहीं सर, में यहाँ नहीं रह सकता, मुझे घर जाना है |.” (No Sir. I can’t stay here any longer. I have to go home.)

He smiled gracefully and continued, “देखो ये एक जंग की तरह है - तुम और तुम्हारे मन में | क्या तुम अपने मन से हार जाना चाहते हो ?” (See, its like a war between you and your mind. Do you want to be defeated by your mind?)

Though tears still dropped from my eyes, I told him that I agreed with what he said, but at the moment I needed to be taken back home. In no way I could stay there.  I could not even sleep at night.

When I told this to him, he said, “ ये तो बहुत अच्छी बात है | तुम रात को भी अपनी breathing पर focus कर सकते हो |”

God, where am I? I am not able to sleep and as a solution, he asks me to focus on breath?

He told me some more things to encourage me, ‘मन बहुत चंचल होता है | जो इंसान उस पर काबू पा लेता है ,वो जीवन में बहुत उचाइयां छूता है |’

The conversation went on for around 20 minutes and he was through logic and some encouragement successful in convincing me to go back and continue.

Then on the third day I was once again struck with home-sickness. This time again, Guruji tried to calm me down. But, this time I had come prepared with tools. 

Whatever he may say today, I will use साम-दाम-दंड-भेद and go back home, I had thought. 

I love my parents and thus I need to be with them. I miss them. I had told him. 

And, my tears were even more intense. I was determined. Whatever happens today I go back home. How can I live in this place? Frustration was intense. As Guruji found it difficult to convince me this time, he asked another Guruji. The other Guruji was a young man, about 32 years old. He began convincing me against my decision. I do not remember exactly what I told him and what he told me. But, we talked for around an hour and at last I was convinced to stay back. And, that was the end of my escapist tendencies.

Although ‘maun’ had to be observed strictly, we did break some rules. We used to talk when the Dhammasevakas were not around. I realized that I was not the only one who felt tortured. All of them were finding the situation difficult. However, there was one who said, ‘कल आधी रात को में उठ गया था, और बिस्तर पर बैठकर अपने बाल नोच रहा था | सोच रहा था कि में यहाँ क्यूँ आ गया | दिमाग ख़राब हो गया था मेरा, जो यहाँ आने के लिए हाँ कह दिया |’

I told him, ‘मेने तो पूरी कोशिश करली है यार, लेकिन ये लोग अपने को यहाँ से जाने नहीं देंगे | अब और कोई रास्ता नहीं, अपने को यहाँ सातवे दिन तक रहना ही होगा |’

...to be continued

(After overcoming the escapist tendencies, it was my turn to receive the true wisdom and that is -Vipassana. The meditation was discovered by a great super-scientist and philosopher. The next episode talks about this super-scientist and how his revelations transformed the world. It enhances your understanding of happiness and suffering. It also talks about how meditation is a real science with definite laws and tangible effects. And, it presents you the path following which you can encounter the potential God that resides within each one of us.)