Vipassana Meditation: Theravada Buddhism and Mindfulness of Breathing
Vipassana meditation is a practice within Theravada Buddhism that focuses on mindfulness of breathing combined with contemplation of impermanence. The technique investigates phenomena manifesting in the Four Foundations of Mindfulness highlighted in the Satipatthana Sutta, which includes the body, feelings, mind, and mind-objects.
Mindfulness of breathing is a fundamental practice in Vipassana meditation, described throughout the Sutta Pitaka. According to the Satipatthna Sutta, the meditator would go into the forest, sit beneath a tree, and observe the breath. If the breath is long, they should notice that it is long, and if it is short, they should see that it is short.
By observing the breath, the meditator becomes aware of the perpetual changes involved in breathing and mindfulness arising and passing away. This practice also allows the meditator to gain insight into impermanence through observing bodily sensations and their nature of arising and passing away. Through contemplating these perpetual changes, the meditator becomes aware of impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and the lack of an inherent, independent essence of self.
Knowledge of Dissolution
As the meditator progresses in their practice, they may reach a stage where gross bodily sensations dissolve, and there is a subtle flow of feelings throughout the body, called Bhanganupassana ñana, knowledge of dissolution. This process continues to reveal layer upon layer of mental purification.
With continued practice, the meditator experiences increasing cessation of cravings and aversions and eventually reaches a calm state, Brahma, in the Theravada tradition. However, if the meditator does not see the form itself, the acts were done that lead to the state, and any cravings with wisdom it does not lead to the attainment of Nibbana but to a new form.
Most Theravadin teachers refer to knowledge evolving during practice, and the meditator gradually improves their perception of the three marks of existence. Some steps are described as Vipassana Jhanas or simply as knowledge.
Overall, Vipassana meditation is a powerful technique for developing insight into the impermanent nature of reality, leading to permanent liberation. Through mindfulness of breathing and the contemplation of impermanence, the meditator can experience increasing mental purification, cessation of cravings and aversions, and, ultimately, a state of calmness that is conducive to liberation.
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Atammayatasara
