Meditation

Mahasati Meditation

The primary form of insight meditation practiced at the Center is Mahasati Insight meditation, which is a type of Vipassana meditation originating from Southeast Asia. Mahasati in Pali means “great awareness.” The objective of Mahasati meditation is the elimination of suffering through the clear seeing and understanding of the body and mind in the present moment. The practice is based on the teaching of the twentieth century Thai meditation master, Luangpor Teean Jittasubho.

Rather than using the breath as the primary object of awareness, Mahasati meditation uses attention to the movement of the body as an anchor to the present moment. When one’s mindfulness is strong enough, attention is then turned to the observation of the movement of the mind in the present moment. Formal, seated meditation practice involves a pattern of repetitive hand movements, generally performed with the eyes open. Periods of seated meditation are interspersed with walking meditation.

Because this practice is performed with the body moving and the eyes open, the mind is generally more alert than in seated breath meditation, and insight is recognized more easily. It is also easier to integrate this practice into one’s daily life. Diligent practice ultimately leads to a direct and profound understanding of the origins of suffering in human experience and points the way toward ultimate liberation.