Vipassana Meditation - As Taught by S. N. Goenka

"I do not wish to convert people from one organized religion to another. My interest is in Dhamma – the truth, the teachings of all enlightened ones.  If at all there is conversion, it should be from misery to happiness, from defilement to purity, from bondage to liberation, from ignorance to enlightenment." – S. N. Goenka

S. N. Goenka

Mr. S.N. Goenka, a householder and successful businessman was born and raised in Burma. He learned Vipassana from his teacher, Sayagi U Ba Kin. Since bringing Vipassana to India in 1969, Mr. Goenka has taught thousands of individuals around the world as well as teaching the teachers of the courses.

Vipassana means "to see things as they really are." It is not a quick fix answer to life’s miseries but a way, a path on a long journey.

The practice of Vipassana meditation requires self-discipline and a commitment to being open to seeing the truth. Vipassana is experiential. It is not to be learned in books or through lectures.

Meditators observe, in silence, the inner connection between body and mind. This powerful experience produces an increased sense of self-knowing that points the way through and past personal trauma, disappointments, emotional pain and illusions.

More complete information on Vipassana principles and practices and course schedules are available at the Vipassana Meditation web site. This very informative site offers links to a number of resources including S.N. Goenka’s book entitled: The Art of Living.

In August, 2000 Mr. Goenka addressed the Millennium World Peace Summit at the United Nations, and eloquently expressed his belief that we cannot know world peace unless we achieve peace within ourselves. He calls each of us to take responsibility for being at peace as individuals, family members (or householders) and as members of an ever expanding world community. The complete transcript of this speech may be viewed on the Dhamma Organization web site.