Mahasatipatthana Sutta course - (June 13 - June 22) , North Fork, CA
This is only for senior students. The evening discourses are detailed about the Mahasatipatthana Sutta delivered by Buddha.
Sati - Awareness
pa - extensively
atthana - establishing
sutta -discourse.
So, its the discourse on establishing the awareness extensively. The MOST IMPORTANT thing, its the awareness of sensations not mere bodily awareness. This is what has been missing in interpretation by many people of the Buddha's teachings.
Goenka ji explained the book very nicely. I read the book before explanation but couldn't understand. His explanations made it very clear. He inspires students so much over the discourses that he makes us feel Nirvana is just next door. Over these discourses he stressed so much on "atapi sampajano satima".
atapi = burner who is working hard
sampajanyam = equanimity
sati = awareness
So, it means a being working hard like a burner to burn his negativities by being aware of his sensations.
Goenkaji asked us to NOT forget "sampajano" during breaks or rest periods. He used to quote Buddha's "Sampajanyam nahi rinchati" - Do NOT forget sensations.
The book goes in detail of what the technique is, what are the four different paths, what are the stages on the path and the final goal.
Four paths:
1) Observing body in body
2) Observing sensations in sensations
3) Observing mind in mind
4) Observing mental contents in mental contents
The Vipassana tradition taught by Goenka follows (2) path. The reason he stated was the sensations are important on any of the paths because its the link between the sense object coming in contact with the sense organs of the human body. Unreact to the sensation and be free - is the formula.
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Coming to my personal experience, I did meditate good for most of the time. I had this pain in the head as the day progresses so couldnt do good for long time without breaks. I thought it would remain only during "anapana" but it remained through out. Its still there even after the course. So, I think it might be some health reason.
The people I met were good. Made many friends. Talked about experiences and ways to help myself.
The important thing is that I have a lot of questions on my practice itself. I thought I was doing right but now I am unsure. I have to get the technique correct before I mess up more. I feel I didn't get the basic itself.
Anyway I have to fight my own battles, I have to work out my own salvation. So, lets see.
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Long is the path,
Difficult are the steps,
....
atapi sampajano satima
