'Vipassana' meditation

I am writing to you in reply to an article "The long and painful process of reforming a government" by Owen Podger published on Dec. 8, 1998.

Yes, it is going to be a long, painful process to reform your government, as is the reforming of any structure of any size from the micro to the macro.

And as with everything in life we must start at the bottom, with the individuals who, when functioning correctly, make a smooth running macro.

Podger correctly states the need for the heads to be able to make and be responsible for decisions. Also to be flexible when the need arises and to cultivate compassion and wisdom. To be ready, willing and able to breakdown the old, unfair system of people serving government. To be able to make quick valued decision from the given data of public opinion, throwing out what no longer works for Indonesia and keeping what does.

Great, but how are you going to do it?

It sounds as if you need a group of altruists who are deeply in touch with their emotions and who have love and compassion for the land and people of Indonesia.

Well I would like to bring to your attention the existence of a technique of meditation that brings out these latent qualities in all who practice. The technique, called Vipassana (Insight) Meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka, was preserved in its totality by an unbroken line of teachers down to Sayagyi U Ba Kim, who himself introduced it into his account office in the Burmese government with excellent results. Sayagyi passed it on to SN Goenka who in 1969 reintroduced it to India, its country of origin.

Immediately after the first course, students who had taken part and experienced the benefits began to organize and serve other courses one after another.

Now after almost 30 years, Vipassana Meditation Centers have spread worldwide. In 1996, approximately 400 courses were held in India and 300 courses were held in 35 other countries. Over 38,000 students attended these courses.

The courses are 10-day silent retreats where all contact with the outside world is broken. The student works with an attitude of isolation where the only talking is with the teacher about the technique. Simple vegetarian food and bedding is supplied and it is required that all other spiritual disciplines and rituals be suspended.

The instructions are given by audio and visual tape and a minimum of 10 days is required to learn the system which will lead the practitioner to the Art of Living.

It is the contribution to the world by a man called Gautama, The Buddha, for purification of the mind and focuses on three main areas of life. Morals, mastery of the mind and wisdom, the law of nature, the universal Law of Impermanence.

It is a nonsectarian technique, you do not have to be a Buddhist to practice it and it is not intended to turn you into a Buddhist.

The Buddha did not convert people. He gave them a totally scientific result orientated meditation technique that does not use verbal or visualization, but instead focuses on the breath and sensation on the body and produces noble people who are responsible for their own actions.

Vipassana courses are also held in jails. In India's Thiha jail, Delhi, there are two courses per month. The fist course in America was held at the Northern Rehabilitation Facility Seattle, Washington in October 1997. Early in 1998, they held a course there for female inmates.

Repeat offenders, thieves, rapists, drug uses and even murderers are being reformed. One murderer, after completing a course and fully realizing what he had done, wrote to the victim's family begging forgiveness.

Children's courses are also held regularly with great success, as could people with HIV/AIDS be helped to come to terms with their condition if someone were to organize courses for them.

It takes a firm commitment to undertake a course and they are indubitably hard. Just think, 10 days of isolation. Nothing but your cravings, fears and conscience to come to terms with.

I have completed four courses over two years since I was lucky enough to come into contact with this technique. During this time I also lived in India and served in a center for four months helping to organize and run courses.

ADAM ROBERTS

Norwich, England