When he died in 2013, a news obituary described S. N. Goenka as "the man who taught the world to meditate." Mr. Goenka taught Vipasanna mediation, a style widely embraced by people worldwide.
At his teachings sessions, Goenka often concluded by receiving questions from the audience. His answers reveal a teacher of deep wisdom and practical insight. Here are some examples:
Question: Isn’t suffering a natural part of life? Why should we try to escape from it?
Answer: We have become so involved in suffering that to be free from it seems unnatural. But when you experience the real happiness of mental purity, you will know that this is the natural state of mind.
Question: How can we be involved in life unless we react?
Answer: Instead of reacting you learn to act, to act with a balanced mind. Learn how to act positively. If you can change your life pattern from reaction to action, then you have attained something very valuable.
Question: I was wondering whether there are people who cause suffering for us?
Answer: Nobody causes suffering for you. You cause the suffering for yourself by generating tensions in the mind. If you know how not to do that, it becomes easy to remain peaceful and happy in every situation.
(feel free to re-post and/or link to your social media)
At his teachings sessions, Goenka often concluded by receiving questions from the audience. His answers reveal a teacher of deep wisdom and practical insight. Here are some examples:
Question: Isn’t suffering a natural part of life? Why should we try to escape from it?
Answer: We have become so involved in suffering that to be free from it seems unnatural. But when you experience the real happiness of mental purity, you will know that this is the natural state of mind.
Question: How can we be involved in life unless we react?
Answer: Instead of reacting you learn to act, to act with a balanced mind. Learn how to act positively. If you can change your life pattern from reaction to action, then you have attained something very valuable.
Question: I was wondering whether there are people who cause suffering for us?
Answer: Nobody causes suffering for you. You cause the suffering for yourself by generating tensions in the mind. If you know how not to do that, it becomes easy to remain peaceful and happy in every situation.
(feel free to re-post and/or link to your social media)
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