Vipashyana Meditation

Vipassana (Pali), comes from original Sanskrit word "Pashyana" meaning “seeing” and the prefix, “Vi” meaning "in a subtle and discretionary way".

Vipashyana refers to a type of meditation practice that focuses on insight into the true nature of reality. It can be translated as "clear-seeing" or "special insight."  

General description of Vipashyana practice -

We simply sit still in a comfortable meditative posture and then slowly we move the awareness through each body part, from head to toe and then from toe back to head.  As we do this we try to notice any gross or subtle sensations in the body.  

This is just like a body scan but we do this continuously throughout the meditation session observing the sensations with equanimity and objectivity.  That is without reacting with feelings of craving or aversion, and without getting identified with the sensations.  We simply observe at what is without reacting.

We make sure that we cover the entire body in a systematic way, and pay special attention to ”blind areas” to make sure we experience sensations everywhere.  

The sensations we observe can be anything like the touch of the clothes against the body, perhaps a feeling of coldness or heat, perhaps there is pain or discomfort, itching, tingling, pulsation, and so on.

The above text is just for a conceptual understanding and in practice it may differ. 

Here's a visual representation of how Vipassana meditation works on the mind:

Imagine your mind as a turbulent sea.

It's constantly being stirred by thoughts, emotions, and sensations, creating waves of varying intensity. These waves can be overwhelming, pulling you in different directions, making it difficult to see clearly.

Vipassana meditation introduces an anchor – your breath and bodily sensations.

By focusing on these, you start to observe the waves without getting caught in them. You notice their rise and fall, their patterns, and their transient nature.

As you continue to observe, the turbulent waves gradually begin to settle.

The surface of the sea becomes calmer, and you start to see deeper into the waters of your mind.

This deeper seeing is the essence of Vipassana – "seeing things as they truly are." You begin to perceive the underlying currents and processes that drive your thoughts and emotions.

. This leads to a profound understanding of impermanence, suffering, and non-self, ultimately leading to liberation from mental conditioning.