vipassana
Observing bodily sensations
Vipassana is a Buddhist meditation practice focused on insight—seeing things as they truly are.
The technique involves sustained, close attention to bodily sensations and mental states, cultivating awareness of impermanence.
Vipassana retreats, often ten days of silence, have popularized the practice in the West: I did my first vipassana last summer.
Buddhism of the elders
- SanghaBuddhist monastic community
- PaliBuddhist scriptural language
- retreat centerFacility for restorative stays
- lineageDescent from progenitors
Perceiving and recording
- labelingAssigning identifying markers
- sittingBeing in seated posture
- walking meditationMindful movement practice
- observationAttentive watching or remark
sensation · equanimity · continuity · diligence · posture · determination
Quality of not lasting
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
- non-selfForeign biological material
- arisingComing into being
- passingMoving by or temporary
dissolution · penetration · realization · breakthrough · wisdom · discernment
State of perceiving reality
- present momentCurrent point in time
- attentionFocused mental awareness
- concentrationSustained single-minded attention
- samadhiProfound meditative absorption state
alertness · wakefulness · observation · clarity · stillness · focus · acceptance · grounding
Informal term for grandmothers
- dissolutionBreaking up completely
- fearEmotional response to threat
- miseryIntense prolonged distress
- disgustIntense physical aversion
path · fruition · review · cessation · dark night
Theravada
Buddhism of the elders
- SanghaBuddhist monastic community
- PaliBuddhist scriptural language
- retreat centerFacility for restorative stays
noting
Perceiving and recording
- labelingAssigning identifying markers
- sittingBeing in seated posture
- walking meditationMindful movement practice
observation · sensation · equanimity · continuity · diligence · posture · determination
impermanence
Quality of not lasting
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
- non-selfForeign biological material
- arisingComing into being
passing · dissolution · penetration · realization · breakthrough · wisdom · discernment
awareness
State of perceiving reality
- present momentCurrent point in time
- attentionFocused mental awareness
- concentrationSustained single-minded attention
samadhi · alertness · wakefulness · observation · clarity · stillness · focus · acceptance · grounding · centering
nanas
Informal term for grandmothers
- dissolutionBreaking up completely
- fearEmotional response to threat
- miseryIntense prolonged distress
vipassanasamatha
Meditative calming practice
mantra meditation · samadhi · guided imagery · hypnosis · breath counting
vipassanaignorance
Absence of knowledge
delusion · unmindfulness · distraction · heedlessness · automatic pilot