From Shamatha to Vipassana

written by YeShey on Monday, January 18th, 2010

Shamatha meditation is taught in Steps 1 and 2 of our Mindfulness Meditation Program.  Shamatha is translated as calm abiding or quiescence and its purpose is to give us the opportunity to experience a state of calm silence and single pointed concentration.  The result is an experience of exceptional mental health and balance.

Shamatha can take years to master and can easily be practiced with joy for ones entire life.

As our meditation practice matures, we may begin to see that our thinking is not a solid or rigid as we assumed it to be.  We may experience gaps between the thoughts and we may begin to become aware of a deeper level of insight and knowledge.

One that wishes to explore further will delve into a path that is more abstract and intellectual. This is the path of Vipassana.  Step 3 of our Mindfulness Meditation Program is indeed the third step in a progression of deeper understanding but it does not have to be everyone’s third step. If one finds that the goal is to find a bit of peace and quiet in their every day, then steps 1 and 2 will be as far as you may want to go. If one feels an inner imperative to continue to work and understand the world we live in and would like to work a bit harder, go a bit further, step 3 is perfect.

Whether one chooses to stay with Shamatha or to move onto Vipassana is a personal choice.  The most important points are to practice, practice with joy and practice every day.

With metta,

YeShey