Meditation Practice

Over 2,500 years ago, the Buddha discovered a meditation technique that leads a person to understanding based on his or her own experience. The premise of this approach is that it is impossible to achieve through reading, thought and theory what can only be discovered through observation and the rational assessment which follows naturally. Through an insight meditation course, you will learn to let go and observe the mind from a non-judgemental perspective and, in so doing, discover for yourself your own unique purpose and set of priorities. That is the natural result of a mind which perceives things as they truly are, untainted by preconceived notions or bias. In his book,  The Only Way published in 1999 and translated by Kathryn Chindaporn, the renowned meditation master, Ajahn Tong Sirimangalo described insight meditation in the following way: 
Insight Meditation Based on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness (Satipatthana Vipassana Kammatthana)
The Pali word Kammatthana means meditational exercise. Vipassana is a Pali word which means: Seeing clearly, seeing specially or seeing through (Vi - clearly, specially, into, through + passana - seeing). Vipassana means introspection, intuitive wisdom, intuitive knowledge. Vipassana is often translated as insight. 
Seeing what clearly? Insight into what? 
Vipassana means seeing through the true nature of reality or Insight into the true nature of reality. It means seeing things as they truly are. Vipassana is the direct and intuitive understanding of the true nature of all mental and physical phenomena. 
Vipassana is based on the Four Satipatthana, the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. That is to say, Insight is realized by the consistent and progressive application of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. 
The Four Foundations of Mindfulness are:
1. Mindfulness of the Body,
2. Mindfulness of Feelings,
3. Mindfulness of the Mind, and
4. Mindfulness of the Mind Objects.
What this means in practice will depend on you, your life experience and your current situation. Each person will have a unique experience that is automatically tailored to their unique context. It could apply to your family life, your work life or other relationships. Ultimately, you are the only person who can determine the usefulness of this practice -- but, you can only do so if you try it. So, we invite you to see for yourself and sincerely hope that it will help you to find real happiness.