Mental Health Implications of Buddhist Practice of Meditation: A Dishma Inc Experience of Vipassana Meditation Technique

By

Jacob Waiswa
www.situationhealthanalysis.blogspot.com

Introduction

Mental health is the general state of wellness –cognitively, emotionally and behaviorally. It also entails satisfaction in different areas of life –including the physiological environment, the socio-economic environment, the socio-political environment, the cultural environment –and the spiritual environment.

Buddhism, on the other hand, is an ancient practice of achieving and preserving wisdom –which in turn facilitates eradication of suffering, misery and disease in all beings to total liberation. It arose over 2000 years ago –following Buddha Gautama’s inspirational work towards a better universe.

Through exemplary living, he inspired very many in Asia, in South America, in the West and now in Africa –in the field of science for the elite and art of living for anyone. Whoever pursued a life of compassionate love, respect of all beings –among other positive values –with the right understanding of nature –and through the practice of meditation; ably substituted psychological trauma, or psychosomatic conditions, and conflict of all forms –for complete wellness.

Objectives: The programme was set out to understand the relationship between Buddhist practice of meditation and mental health, Buddhism as religion, Buddhism contribution to wellness, Buddhism as a way of life rather than religion, a comparative analysis between Buddhism and mainstream religions and decision making in the face of spirituality and religious confusion.

Methodology:
The ten (10) day program officially began with seven participants; 3 Asian men, 2 American women 1 Ugandan lady and 1 Uganda man. Conditions set for the participants were to:
• Sit and sleep separately according to sex
• Ensure silence throughout the program
• Participate in cleanliness exercises or community service
• Dress in long dresses to the feet
• Wakeup everyday at 4.30 am to meditate for two hours, 1 hour for the next five sittings Meditation, followed by recorded 15 minute dharma talk from Goenka (replacing negative past with right and positive understanding of life) and ending with a 45 minutes sitting.

Meditation required that one:
• Sits straight, well-balanced and maintaining upright posture –with legs folded and crossed through each other.
• Observes breathe for 2days: observe the sense of air-movement through and out of the nostrils.
• Observes sensory activity around moustache (the area above the upper lip) –for another 2 days.
• Objectively becomes aware of the different stimulations around the body –including mental processes of thinking and imagination. Part-by-part observation for at least 2 minutes starts with the middle area of the scalp. Participant then takes awareness “pointer” to forehead, nose, downwards to the lips, chin, beard, front part of the neck, chest, abdomen, back of the neck, back, through the back-line, shoulders, upper-right hand, lower arm, wrist, palm, fingers, then to goes to the second arm. Participant continues to the right thigh, knee, between knee and ankle, metatarsals, toes and below the foot and, then the other limb follows. This lasts two days.
• General observation of senses from head to toes, back and forth, then review the blank or unsensed areas one area at a time for one and half days.
• Brushing or sweeping simultaneously body regions back and forth –as head, face, neck, back, chest, abdomen, limbs, and feet for a half a day. Where sensations are gross, observe one point of the body at a time (2days).
• Sweeping as in above and going back to pick on particular sensations –holding on each for at least two minutes –for one (1) day.
• Going back to the practice of observing sensations part-by-part –of the body –including blank areas and revisiting areas where sensation had just occurred (last or tenth day).

Outcomes:
Masterly of the mind and actions –through taming ego and instinct, and there was stronger reality sense –which created stress and anxiety free conditions. There was slowness to react and effectively “arrested” the tendency to crave, and negative reactions; created a sense of oneness with nature and with society, mental alertness and eased efforts to let go, calmness and relaxed states –helping to avert migraine tendencies, and greatly put off anger towards others. Participant sharply and easily recognized unfriendly behavior as it came to the fore (conscious) and ably substituted it with positive dharma lessons on positive living –with right attitude towards nature.

Supported by continued practice of the technique, rightful thinking always determined rightful action in day-to-day life. Participant was peaceful amidst challenges of social interactions –and full of love and humor –be it with family, or at work. Also at work, concentrating and productivity were high. Although spirited devotees turned ritualistic, Buddhism was either non-religious or religion by choice. It was a way of life –with amazingly positive outcomes to life-systems leading a practitioner to happiness as final destination.

Unlike religions or “other religions,” Buddhism was experiential. It had enshrined practical values yet universal that guided one to empirical results –rather than if they merely believed in an attainment of a life goal. It was applicable to day-to-day-life bids to yield harmony for oneself and others. Moreover, it was one way of empowering oneself with the tool of objective decision-making rather than if one rode on imaginations and emotions.

In conclusion:
Vipassana meditation technique can be very effective at treating psychosomatic conditions as migraines, causing behavioral change, bettering patients with ADHD, dissolving depression and anxiety states, fostering social harmony –and providing a permanent solution to environmental degradations and associated human impact. Its benefits –as much as the dangers of being out of it (its values and their practice) affect everyone –regardless of religion.

There are different practices with confirmed yet related benefits –which include 15 minutes group silence, contemplating, self imagery, positive reinforcement, and positive self-talk and masterly –among others. However, vipassana meditation technique had sustainable benefits yet holistically influencing life positively –of both human beings and other living organisms. It also dealt with ailments not at their surface, or symptomatic view but, accordingly, from the root of the case.