Is Vipassana meant for everyone?

Vipassana may not be a magical solution to all of life’s problems but a growing number of individuals are finding solace in the meditative practice

What do bestselling author Yuval Noah Harari, co-founder of Twitter (now ‘X’) Jack Dorsey, neuroscientist Sam Harris, actor Dakota Johnson, and politician Arvid Kejriwal have in common? A well-publicised belief in deep meditative practices like Vipassana. As the hashtag #selfhealers continues to trend on social media, a new wave of individuals wanting to turn away from materialism and pharmaceutical quick-fixes is emerging. Vipassana and other similar meditative practices have seen a recent resurgence, with more and more people gravitating towards this intersection of science, traditional therapy, and ancient art of introspection.

Derived from the Pali language, ‘Vipassana’ translates into "seeing things as they really are," its roots going back over 2,500 years to the teachings of Gautama Buddha. It is a ten-day residential course in complete silence, focusing on observing the sensations of the body through controlled breathing. Kanak Bhattacharya, an administrator at the Igatpuri Vipassana Centre, believes it exceeds superficial fixes. “Imagine any mental distress as a weed in a garden. Merely trimming the weed at the surface allows it to grow back. Vipassana, however, digs deep to uproot the weed, preventing its return,” he explains. “Think of your mind as a muscle; just as physical exercise tones and strengthens the body, Vipassana does the same for the mind.” 

For many, the question remains elusive: How does one measure the success of such an ancient and subjective experience in the modern world? Japanese meditation teacher Ryodo Yamashita, Sudhammacara Bhikkhu simply puts it as, “when we notice that we no longer react as we used to when met with events that would have stimulated desire or anger. We don’t suppress [it]; instead we allow it to flow naturally.” Ven. Yamashita places the onus on the teachers of this practice. “[It involves] simplifying the language of Buddhist scriptures to teach and guide numerous people to find meaning in their lives,” he says. 

The root of the problem

While systematic revolutions in technology and culture have woven convenience into our social fabric, they have also ushered in a staggering increase in mental and chronic health afflictions, commonly referred to as ‘sufferings’ by meditation gurus and practitioners.

Counselling psychologist Michelle Pereira, who incorporates meditation into her practice, reveals, "A few years ago, research showed that one out of four Indians was suffering from anxiety or depression. This trend is reflected globally, particularly in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, which has exacerbated the mental health crisis." 

Kartikeya Ladha, author of the book Unherd: A Tale of Love, Wisdom and Strength (2022), who recently embarked on a Vipassana retreat in Madhya Pradesh during his honeymoon, echoes these sentiments, stating, "Twenty years ago, mobile phones and social media weren't as pervasive, but now we are addicted to them. Profound systemic changes like these have overwhelmed our mental and physical well-being. Seeking temporary solace in money or experimenting with pharmaceuticals or substances without addressing the root cause only perpetuates suffering."

Pereira adds, “Since the pandemic, we are experiencing a mental health crisis; people are going through a very tough time, they are knocking on the doors of therapists, monasteries or retreats in these times of immense mental anguish.” Ven. Yamashita refers to this anguish when he says: “What is troubling the present generation is their mind itself. It is not something around them.”

The voice of science

When did science enter the realm of meditation? Pereira shares, "When seekers in the West experienced these practices in Asia and began to spread the word, it led to scientific exploration that demonstrated the effectiveness of such practices, offering solace to the rational mind." With neuroscientific studies pointing towards the positive impacts of meditation, a new scientific frontier emerged, that of ‘epigenetics,’ laying the groundwork for popular books such as The Biology of Belief (2005) by Dr. Bruce Lipton and You Can Heal Your Life (1984) by Louise Hay, who miraculously cured herself of cancer within six months, using the power of her thoughts.

While scientific studies, including a significant one at Stanford University, have shown structural brain changes, reduced stress levels, and improved decision-making abilities among Vipassana practitioners, there also exist contradicting opinions. Varkha Chulani, clinical psychologist and psychotherapist at Lilavati Hospital Mumbai, finds it a passive approach to self-awareness. "I believe that people are grasping at anything that offers them comfort. The discomfort with oneself is palpable. The pandemic exposed aspects of life that many were unprepared for. Furthermore, it's easier to sit than to take action to solve problems. Work and effort are unwelcome to most.” She adds, "I have not been a proponent of meditation simply because if one doesn't change one's ideology, meditation can lead to fixating on the same dysfunctional thought processes. I think what we forget is that people like Yuval Noah Harari had already formed sensible ideas to meditate upon before embarking upon his Vipassana experience.” 

Pereira, a believer of mind-body awareness work, clarifies, “Not everyone is a candidate for mediation—it could prove counterintuitive for those experiencing chronic states of emotional imbalance.”

New beginnings

Graphic designer Sakshi Agarwal embarked upon her first Vipassana experience at the age of 37 after witnessing her brother achieve professional and personal success. She says of her time at a retreat to be “challenging, physically painful, profound and insightful.” Her life at the retreat was in stark contrast to her life in the city Like many others, Agarwal found that years of unhealed trauma was brought to the surface with painful bodily sensations. Her biggest takeaways, however, were being able to break her patterns of chain-smoking and overeating. “It opened me up creatively and I am no longer an emotional eater,” she says.

For many it’s the universality of the practice that is appealing. Tanvi Furia, brand lead at Jeevandeep Edumedia, attended her first Vipassana course 15 years agoHaving just returned to India after completing her Master’s in the United States, she was uncertain of her future path. After the initial discomfort, she found a drastic change within herself. “There was a newfound sense of peace that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Vipassana has equipped me to navigate life's unpredictable twists and turns with ease and mindfulness.” She adds, “I was pregnant during one of these courses, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to expectant mothers interested in meditation. It offers a unique experience, helping you connect with your baby.”

Gaining steady traction

Besides compelling scientific evidence and real-life testimonials, the growing interest in Vipassana is apparent with thousands of waitlisted applicants and the establishment of new meditation centres worldwide. What was once an elusive practice, known only to a small community of individuals, is now gaining recognition as a path toward achieving balance and self-discovery.

Moreover, just like science, cinema too carried out an inquiry, in the form of a documentary titled Doing Time, Doing Vipassana (1997) that captured the successful introduction of the meditative practice among inmates in Tihar Jail, first started in 1993. 

The sight of modern-day couples embarking on Vipassana retreats, city folk talking about meditation parks and silent zones, pain management researchers looking at the practice for insights, and corporations encouraging employees to participate in ten-day-long meditation sessions (alongside paid leave) makes us guess that there will perhaps be more of us giving silence a chance.

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