There are hundreds of Vipassana centers in India, which we will discuss later in this article. However, first, let us take an overview of Vipassana meditation.
What is Vipassana?
Vipassana is an ancient Buddhist meditation technique that involves observing your thoughts without judging or dwelling on over. In other words, it is translated as ‘Insight’, which means seeing things as they are.
Vipassana meditation is a gentle technique but is also very thorough. It revolves around careful listening, attentive seeing, and mindful testing. In this, the mind is brought to rest and allowed to focus only on one item. It helps in building concentration power and prevents negative thoughts to enter the mind.
Objectives of Vipassana Meditation
The main goal of Vipassana meditation is to help you:
- Focus on present
- Detoxify your mind
- Reduce regrets by dwelling over the past
- Accepts the reality
- Worry less about the future
- Cultivate inner peace
Benefits of Practicing Vipassana Meditation
Vipassana meditation practice has thousands of benefits, and all cannot be mentioned. However, a few of them are discussed below:
- Just like other meditation practices, Vipassana meditation also helps in reducing stress as it only allows people to focus on the present.
- Vipassana meditation helps in minimizing anxiety by altering the parts of the brain that involves in anxiety.
- It helps the person to understands the truth, both practically and theoretically.
- Vipassana meditation improves memory, which enhances the performance of the people.
- It cultivates excellence in life, which helps people to have a positive attitude towards the world.
- This meditation practice eliminates the sorrow and motivates the person to enhance their performance.
- Vipassana meditation helps the people to walk on the right path, to know the right way to live their lives.
- It eliminates greed, anger, frustration, etc.
- With the help of Vipassana meditation, concentration power increases, which ensures good mental health.
- People learn about their inner self by practicing Vipassana meditation.
Steps to Practice Vipassana Meditation
I. Set aside a specific time
An ideal time to practice Vipassana meditation is early morning, right after you wake up. Start the process with a dedicated time of 10-15 minutes.
II. Choose a quiet location
Always try to do Vipassana meditation in a quiet place as it helps in better concentration.
III. Sit in a comfortable position
Sit on the ground by folding your legs in a comfortable position. Keep your back straight and relax your body.
IV. Close your eyes
Keep your eyes closed and breathe properly during the process of Vipassana meditation. Focus on the inner feeling and concentrate on positive thoughts.
V. Focus on the portion of the breathing
Be aware of inhaling and exhaling. Focus on the pathway of breath moving from nostril, then going down through windpipe and later filling the lungs and abdomen.
VI. Set the aim
The aim is to set aside at least 10 minutes in the beginning and eventually raise the time bar to 15 or more minutes.
Ten Best Vipassana Centers in India
There are many centers of Vipassana in Indian for interested people, where you can get personal yoga training and overcome the mental hurdles in life. Below given are the ten best Vipassana centers in India that might help you to choose the best for you:
Dhamma Pattana, Mumbai
The Dhamma Pattana Vipassana meditation center is situated near the beach-side Gorai, outer northern suburbs of Mumbai, in 2009. The building is built in a modern style and all rooms are well ventilated and equipped with air conditioners. It has a special 10-days course for business executives and professionals.
Svadhyaya Kosha, Rishikesh, India
One of the best yoga schools offering Vipassana meditation in Rishikesh, Svadhyaya Kosha is the Yoga Alliance certified. Moreover, you get an opportunity to head on to a yoga retreat to practice Vipassana meditation in the lap of nature and that too under yoga experts.
Dhamma Dhaja, Hoshiarpur, Punjab
In Punjab’s Hoshiarpur, there located the Dhamma Dhaja Vipassana center, which is very close to Shivalik Mountain Range. This center specialized in providing short courses for seasoned students for meditation techniques.
Shikara Dhamma, Dharamshala
Shikara Dhamma is the Vipassana center that teaches meditation techniques in the mountains and fresh breathing air. It is located in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. Further, it holds the place of one of the most beautiful Vipassana centers in India.
Dhamma Sota, Haryana
Dhamma Sota, Vipassana center was established in 2000 at the Rahaka (Village in Haryana). It is built on nearly 16 acres of land in the greenery of Aravali Hills. It offers a single room as a facility and also provides a bilingual course.
Dhamma Thali, Jaipur
Dhamma Thali Vipassana center is located in the hilly region of Jaipur. It offers courses for both beginners and advanced in many languages to meditation practitioners. This center is run and owned by Vipassana Samiti.
Dhamma Pushkar, Ajmer
Another one of the main Vipassana centers for meditation practice in India is located in the Ajmer district of Rajasthan. It is located in the 12-acre center which makes it perfect for learning and practicing meditation. This center is comparatively smaller than other meditation centers but provides some of the best courses.
Dhamma Karunika, Haryana
Situated at Kunjpura, Haryana, the Dhamma Karunika is built on 7 acres of land and began its operation in 2003. This center is specialized for 3-days short duration course.
Dhamma Setu, Chennai
Dhamma Setu is located on the outskirts of Chennai and is surrounded by farmlands and paddy fields. It was established in 2005, with the accommodation space of more than 400 students. It has a special course for kids also. This is the only center in India that offers the 30-40 days course to veteran students of this practice.
Dhamma Bodhi, Bodh Gaya
Dhamma Bodhi is situated at Bodh Gaya, Bihar, the place where Lord Buddha became enlightened. It is established on 18 acres of land, Magadha University. The 10 days course in this center generally starts on the 1st and 16th of every month. This center is a gem for people who are interested in the Buddhist community.
Note- All the Vipassana centers in India are free of cost and runs purely on a donation basis.
Also Read: 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Syllabus
Summary
The above-mentioned Vipassana centers are just the tip of the iceberg. There are many other Vipassana centers in India, which you can visit to learn meditation practice.
