Why we teach “Insight Meditation” instead of Vipassana

I have studied meditation since I was 19, and at this point in my path in yoga and meditation, I cannot study with just any teacher. For me it is essential that the teacher lives what he or she teaches and that you can perceive the peaceful, calm, and pure energy that he or she transmits. At the same time, I like to know that my teachers are human. That is why today I am going to explain why I study, practice, and teach mainly Insight Meditation, but also Vipassana, and always in an open and non-dogmatic way. Insight Meditation and Vipassana are two meditation techniques very powerful for self-knowledge and achieving tranquility and equanimity in life. We have studied these two lines of meditation with two teachers who have had a lot of influence in the world of meditation in the West. Before looking at the difference between these two lines of meditation, it helps to know a little about two teachers who have had such an influence on our knowledge of Insight and Vipassana meditation. These two teachers are Michael Taft and Rob Burbea. Michael Taft is an American author, meditation teacher and psychotherapist known for his work in the field of meditation, mindfulness and consciousness. He has developed a solid reputation in the meditation and spirituality community for his pragmatic approach and deep understanding of meditation practices. He is also a person with very little ego, which is something that makes his teachings very accessible. To me, the peaceful and calm energy he transmits, along with the lack of ego, shows that he is living what he teaches. In fact, his very presence (at least the part that the audience sees) demonstrates the benefits of studying Insight Meditation. Taft is the author of several books and articles related to meditation and mindfulness, and is an advocate for applying meditation in everyday life to improve mental health and well-being. His work draws on a variety of meditative traditions, including Vipassana, Zen, and mindfulness practices. Importantly, Michael Taft is known for his scientific and accessible approach to teaching meditation, which has made him an influential figure in promoting meditation as a practical tool for self-reflection and personal growth. His work has contributed to making meditation techniques more understandable and relatable to a wider audience. The other teacher who has had a lot of influence on our learning, practice, and teaching of meditation is Rob Burbea. Burbea (1965-2020) was an influential meditation teacher and practitioner, as well as an author and lecturer known for his work in the Vipassana meditation tradition and open awareness. Born in London, Burbea became a leading meditation teacher who inspired many people with his deep understanding of meditative practices. Burbea taught around the world and in particular in the UK. His approach to meditation was known for being innovative and contemporary, integrating the wisdom of various meditative traditions into an accessible and relevant framework for modern life. He was also a person without ego, without pretension, and a way of explaining the most complex concepts in an ultra-clear, concise, and easy-to-understand way. Rob Burbea wrote a book titled “Seeing That Frees: Meditations on Emptiness and Dependent Arising,” which addresses philosophical and spiritual topics related to the nature of mind and reality. His focus was on understanding concepts such as emptiness and dependent arising through the practice of meditation. Sadly, Rob Burbea passed away in 2020, but his legacy lives on through his teachings, writings, and the influence he had on the meditation and mindfulness community. Their contributions continue to be valued by those seeking a deeper understanding of mind and reality through meditation. Both of these teachers have brought to the world of meditation their own techniques and interpretations of many ancient techniques from the East and ancient philosophies. They have also created a very large body of talks (called “dharma talks”) and recorded guided meditations that can take any meditator to very deep levels. Before we begin to study either one’s line of teachings, however, it is worth investigating the difference between Insight and Vipassana meditation in order to understand what their teachings are based on. The difference between Vipassana and Insight Meditation can be a matter of terminology and context. At their core, both are based on meditative practices of mindfulness and deep observation, and they are often used interchangeably. However, there are certain distinctions that can help clarify the relationship between these two terms: Vipassana: Regular practice of Vipassana can lead to profound personal transformation, greater understanding of the mind, and greater inner peace through observing reality as it is. Insight Meditation: So we have seen how Vipassana originates in Buddhism and adheres more closely to traditional techniques and teachings of the Buddha, while Insight Meditation is a broader and more flexible term that can be applied in a variety of spiritual and cultural contexts, and has evolved to be more contemporary in its approach and accessible to a diverse audience. The differences between the two terms can vary depending on the context and interpretation of practitioners and teachers. In summary, although Vipassana and Insight Meditation share similarities in terms of their focus on deep observation and mindfulness, the former is more closely associated with Buddhist traditions and traditional techniques, while the latter is a broader and more flexible term that can encompass a variety of deep observation practices, including contemporary influences and not necessarily limited to Buddhism. The distinction between the two terms can vary depending on the context and interpretation of practitioners and teachers. At Quiroesencia Yoga, Massage, and Osteopathy Center, we identify most with Insight Meditation for its inclusivity, its contemporary perspective, and its emphasis on the practice itself, without the need to go to a retreat or monastery to be able to delve into it. We are a non-dogmatic center and we insist that all the practices we teach have the possibility of being adapted to help each person with their individual needs. We also studied Insight Meditation with meditation teachers from other parts of the world, such as England and the United States. This style is based on Vipassana meditation, but its teachings have been adapted for Western culture. This system is based on observation of the mind and experience to reach even higher levels of self-knowledge and equanimity. Here is a list of some meditation techniques from Insight Meditation:

1. • Mindfulness of Breathing: As in traditional Vipassana, this technique involves paying attention to your breathing. Observe your breathing naturally, without trying to control it, and notice how the air comes in and out. Paying attention to your breathing is a fundamental practice for developing concentration.

• • Observation of Body Sensations: As in Vipassana, observe the sensations in the body. This may include exploring sensations of heat, cold, pressure, tingling, or other physical sensations. Observe these sensations without judgment, simply observing their presence and change.

• • Observation of Thoughts and Emotions: In Insight Meditation, you are encouraged to observe thoughts and emotions as they arise in your mind. This involves becoming aware of thought patterns and emotional reactions without identifying with them.

• • Meditation on the Breadth of Consciousness: This technique involves broadening your attention to include all the experiences present in your consciousness at any given moment. This can include sounds, bodily sensations, thoughts, and emotions. It involves maintaining an open and receptive awareness to whatever arises.

• • Meditation on AuthenticityMichael Taft also emphasizes the importance of being authentic in meditation. Rather than forcing a specific attitude or mental state, it is about observing the mind and emotions as they are in the present moment, without judgment or resistance.

• • Meditation on Non-Duality: This technique involves exploring the nature of duality and separation in experience. It invites you to investigate the relationship between the observer and the observed, seeking unity and interconnection rather than duality.

• • Open Presence Meditation: Rather than focusing on a specific object, this technique focuses on open presence, where there is no particular point of focus. It is about being aware of everything that arises in the experience, without preference for any particular object of attention.

• • Meditation on Radical Acceptance: This technique involves practicing radical acceptance of all experiences, whether pleasant or unpleasant. It is about opening yourself to the totality of experience without resistance.

• • Meditation on Liberation from Identification: This technique focuses on observing how you identify with your thoughts, emotions, and beliefs. As you become aware of these identifications, you can release them and experience greater freedom and mental clarity.

• • Meditation on Clarity and Luminous Consciousness:Some forms of Insight Meditation explore the nature of consciousness itself, investigating the clarity and luminosity inherent in the mind.

These techniques are part of the Insight Meditation approach, which is the most detailed and specific meditation and self-knowledge system we have studied. If you are interested, you can read more about the difference between Insight Meditation and Vipassana Meditation and why we prefer Insight Meditation on our blog.