For those just starting out, viewing Vipassana as simply sitting with closed eyes is perfectly acceptable. There are no elaborate mantras or specific hand positions involved. You won’t be required to shuffle around a room like you might at a Zen center, nor will you need to bow to a cup of tea. No special attire is necessary. After each session, someone delivers a talk, but you have the freedom to leave if you wish, or stay and think to yourself, “What an insightful individual,” only for them to remain indifferent to your compliment. Alternatively, you can head home and poke fun at it all with your friends. It’s completely your call.
Reason #1 to Fear Meditation: The Reality of Mortality
Many people express a fear of meditation, and they have good reason to. A significant portion of those who meditate are older, reminding you that aging is inevitable. You can’t attend a Vipassana session and ignore the fact that one day you might find yourself in red wool socks and corduroys, awaiting the Grim Reaper’s visit. The meditation experience reinforces that reality, making it clear that you will eventually face your own mortality.
You might even find yourself dozing off in a chair during your practice, only to tumble to the floor. But here’s the kicker: despite being older, you’ll simply continue meditating after the fall. This has happened to three different people since I began my practice—it’s not a sign of a health issue, just a quirky part of the experience that could easily happen to you!
Reason #2 to Fear Meditation: Human Nature
While many people turn to meditation seeking inner peace, some—myself included—do it because we can be a bit difficult. Meditation doesn’t magically transform us into saints overnight, if at all. Since these sessions are scheduled, it inevitably brings together a variety of personalities, leading to potential conflicts.
For instance, I showed up late to a session recently, and a newcomer arrived right after me. In the foyer, as we hastily removed our coats, she whispered, “Can we go into the other room even though they’ve started?” I nodded encouragingly, but another attendee in the foyer shook her head and frowned, declaring it “disruptive.” Yes, entering two minutes late technically is disruptive, but it hardly falls under the category of a major issue.
The newcomer looked from me to the frowning woman, seeking guidance. I wasn’t about to engage in a debate for her soul, so I simply shrugged and said, “I’m going in.” The disapproving woman shrugged back, but her expression conveyed, “Go ahead and be inconsiderate while I uphold the moral high ground.”
This isn’t the main point here, but how did I know I was right? Just as I walked into the meditation room late, another regular entered through a different door. A few minutes later, a guy fell out of his chair—which, let’s be honest, was much more disruptive!
Reason #3 to Fear Meditation: The Sounds
The final aspect to fear during meditation is the cacophony of sounds. The silence can be deafening, especially after dinner, when you can hear the faintest burps and the inner workings of people’s digestive systems. You might even hear the faintest hints of insulin being secreted.
On my last visit, the woman next to me unzipped her purse and proceeded to unwrap a container of mints. As she poured a handful into her mouth, I couldn’t help but watch, curious about what kind of person engages in such a loud act during meditation. I could hear every detail: the clacking of mints against her teeth, her tongue moving, even the sound of saliva as it mixed with the mints. At first, I was annoyed, but by the end, I realized I could probably sketch a detailed portrait of her mouth!
So yes, if you’re considering meditation, these are valid fears. However, you need not worry about being proficient at it or even enjoying it. The main goal is merely to take a break and do nothing for a while. Once you acclimate—or maybe even before—you might discover that sitting silently in a room full of strangers can be a uniquely thrilling experience, akin to being on Ecstasy, minus the next-day regret. It’s amusing that “Vipassana” means “to see things as they truly are,” as we often view reality as overwhelming. Yet, meditation offers a sense of purity and innocence that makes us reconsider the nature of reality itself.
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In summary, while meditation may seem daunting, it offers a chance to confront our anxieties, both about ourselves and the world around us. The experience can be both enlightening and amusing, revealing the quirks of human nature in a uniquely serene setting.