Vipassana is one of the two main forms of meditation (shamatha and vipassana). It is also known as “insight meditation.” Vipassana refers to looking directly and seeing the nature of things as they are, in order to develop insight and eventually freedom from confusion.

All forms of Buddhist meditation can be placed into one or sometimes both of these shamatha/vipassana categories.

Vipassana is a way of seeing clearly by developing deep awareness and insight. As this awareness grows, it naturally gives rise to wisdom, a fresh way of understanding yourself and the world. This wisdom isn’t something new, it’s always been there, like the sun behind the clouds. Vipassana helps remove the clouds so that wisdom can shine through. Once this wisdom becomes clear, it’s not the end of the path, we continue to work with it, applying it in our lives and letting it guide our growth.

Vipassana meditation helps bring the insight that leads to wisdom and liberation.

Reflect on the experience of vipassana meditation and how it can change the perception of ourselves and the things around .

• How does the experience of vipassana practice shift and change over time?
• What happens when you investigate whether thoughts, feelings, or sensations have a solid, permanent nature?
• How does observing the arising and passing of mental states affect your relationship to them?

Analyze the distinction between awareness and its objects during vipassana practice, evaluate how investigating the three marks of existence (impermanence, suffering, non-self) through direct observation leads to insight, and synthesize understanding by creating guided practices that help others develop insight.