What is grossly wrong in Vipassana?

 Human beings are by nature gregarious. They like to communicate with each other. They want to belong and share views, opinions, and things with others around them. The current ongoing coronavirus pandemic and associated lockdown has proven this point beyond doubt. Movement restrictions and inability to socialize due to the pandemic had led to severe mental issues in almost all the people worldwide. And Vipassana teaches just what coronavirus did to the world: made each human being an island. So how can Vipassana be right? There is a gross error in the basic foundation of Vipassana teachings. 

Human beings and their normal nature

Human beings have certain characteristics that they also share with the animal kingdom. This is their tendency to be fond of a company and be sociable. They like to have people around them. They want to live in groups and share their happiness and joys with others. They also want to find support during their low days of life. They want to tell others their experiences and learn from others. They seek friendship and love. Love and kindness are positive feelings and they want to have and share them with other humans and animals. They want to belong and be respected and appreciated. 

How long to walk alone in vipassana: 10 days or lifelong? (Source: 7 continents,  1 passport) 

Secular ceremonies are without the involvement of any religion and are fun

During the coronavirus pandemic and resultant lockdown, people were unable to socialize in person and this had a negative effect on their mental and physical well-being. Many went into nervous breakdowns and many even tried to violate the restrictions in order to meet their friends and family members. All this proves that humans are inherently gregarious. This comes naturally and it is a good trait because by this people become aware and spread happiness around. It helps people to learn and develop in a good way. Proper communication minimizes weaknesses and faults and gives way to goodness and strengths. But certain unscientific practices such as Vipassana teach the contrary and this could be risky for an individual and society.

Sansar se bhaage phirte ho

Vipassana and its contrary teachings

Vipassana started off from somewhere in Myanmar and an old man named SN Goenka took it to India. The young gullible people there accepted it readily without thinking and its spread was aided via social media platforms to which the young are hooked. But sadly to say, Vipassana is contrary to normal human nature. Its practice converts normal humans into abnormal humans. It found easy roots on that land on the basis of its connection with Buddha, spiritual nature, meditation, and free courses. But society has in no way been helped by the students who complete the course. Neither has the course helped the families of these Vipassana returnees! Why?

Noble silence is wrong (Source: 7 continents,  1 passport) 

The reason is easy to understand if one knows that Vipassana started with an assumption or a theory that remains unproven to date. The preachers talk of insight but insight of life cannot come in isolation with no talk or communication or eye contact with each other. Insight of life cannot come by sitting for hours in a certain pose or going on a partial fasting regime. No, this cannot bring in enlightenment. If this was so, then the 690 million people (UN food agencies data) who go bed hungry  everyday would all have become enlightened!!!But this has not happened so!!! 

Vipassana teaches:

"Make an island of yourself, make yourself your refuge; there is no other refuge."

Here itself in the very basics it is wrong. If a human being becomes an island, with no proper communication, how can development take place in the world? Besides, the essence of life is sharing joys and sorrows. If one becomes an island, how will this happen? During the coronavirus pandemic, everyone became an island. Did that help the people? Nope. It did not. In fact, mental illnesses soared with such island-becoming due to coronavirus. The same would happen if people start practising and propagating Vipassana. A rise in mental problems would result. We already are seeing alarming rates of mental issues in young people and virtual world of internet is partially responsible for it. The remaining work Vipassana will do!!!

Vipassana talks about detachment and non-reaction. This means no attachment with other humans and also no emotions. This itself is against normal.human nature and hence a grossly incorrect teaching of Vipassana. On the other hand, Vipassana says be kind and compassionate to other humans. Again it is wrong here. Can one be compassionate without being attached and without emotions??? The understanding of the preachers of Vipassana is totally weak at the foundation itself and should be stopped immediately. It would befit a sage in a cave and I am sure no one reading this article wants to become a sage!!!

The right way of living

Humans are not only gregarious but also emotional beings. The emotions can be positive or negative. Positive emotions include love, happiness, kindness, humbleness, gentleness, politeness, compassion, sensitivity etc. Negative emotions are jealousy, egos, manipulation, anger, hate, rudeness, sorrows and the like. But as part of society, one needs to bring down on the negative feelings and increase the positive feelings. Moral science subject in schools can teach a person these things. Teachers and parents can boost the positive feelings by means of rewards and trainings. Besides, positive feelings also should be in balance and not overdone, underdone, or fakely done. This is as simple as one can get to in order to have a wonderful life for all. 

Why try to go against humans and their normal nature? Why not just accept it and move forward together while boosting goodness and minimizing negativities? Even if negativities are part of humans, training to overcome them would be good for self and society! And all this is not all that a hard thing to achieve, trust me!

It is not difficult at all if all understand the basics of life and living. Think about this life and not of afterlife and rebirths. No one has seen those and hence make this life good and do not try to do things for a better afterlife.