Level 7: Insight

Vipashyana meditation is also known in the Pali language as vipassana and sometimes described as insight meditation or awareness meditation. This is an advanced meditation practice in which we call upon the qualities of presence developed through shamatha or mindfulness practice. Awareness meditation is an active investigation into the nature of mind and how it functions. It may sound like an intellectual exercise, but when practiced properly, awareness meditation circumvents intellectual pondering and provides direct insight into the nature of mind.

The difference between mindfulness and awareness is subtle. Mindfulness has to do with fully and openly embracing the present moment. Awareness, on the other hand, is the quality of mind that helps us determine whether or not we are being mindful. In meditation, mindfulness helps us train in stability while awareness leads to insight.

After meditation, or between meditation sessions, we do our best to continue cultivating the mindfulness and awareness we’ve developed while formally practicing. After all, we don’t meditate to get better at meditation, we meditate to become more present, aware, kind and accepting as we move through our daily lives. By doing so, our experience of the world becomes more spacious and we find our lives are blessed with less drama and more ease.

Generosity is a practice that helps us embody wisdom, compassion and the qualities of awakened beings. Studies show giving increases happiness and improves our physical and mental health. In Buddhism, there are 4 ways to practice generosity. We can give (1) material things and money, (2) be generous with the dharma, (3) give protection from fear and (4) be generous with our love. We might start small, but the more we give, the more generous and open our heart becomes.