Vipassana and Education

by Dr. B.G. Savla

Goenkaji conducted the first ten-day children's Vipassana course in December 1970, in Bagda, Bihar at the suggestion of Vinobha Bhave, the well-known Indian educational and spiritual leader. Thirty-seven children participated and, although the results were very positive, no further children's courses were held until 1986. A fifteen year-old girl, who had completed a regular course with her parents, requested a "kids only" course. Goenkaji agreed and, in April of that year, a four-day course was held in Jamnabai Narsee School, Bombay. The children who participated, their parents and teachers all felt that the course was so successful that a regular programme of short children's courses has been held in three Vipassana centres in India since 1987. Dhamma Giri holds five or six courses annually during school vacations, each attended by about two hundred children. The centres in Jaipur and Hyderabad each hold a similar number of smaller courses.

During the courses the children are divided into small groups. Each group is assigned a "counsellor" - a trained young adult of the same sex. The counsellor sleeps in a room near the children, meditates in the hall with them, joins in playing games and guides them in all the sessions. Most importantly, twice a day the counsellor leads group discussions, where the children explore the relevance of Dhamma to their lives. Questions such as "What happens to my breath when I get angry, or when I feel peaceful?" are explored. This way of working is proving quite successful.

Recently, one-day courses have also been introduced in schools. One particularly successful program has been set up in a large school in Bombay, where all secondary level students have attended a one-day course and are given the opportunity to follow this up with daily practice in the school.

In the year 1993, more than fifty children's courses were held in Vipassana centres, schools and at other sites with more than 5000 students participating.

The following article discusses the value of these children's courses.

_Education today has unfortunately been reduced to training of the intellect, taught at the school and university level. Reading, writing, memorizing, and thinking - these work only at the conscious superficial levels of the mind. This type of education is not solving the major problems of today's youth, such as drug and alcohol use, promiscuity, undisciplined rebellious behaviour, violence and other anti-social activities. Nor is it resolving the problem of academic and occupational dropping out.

Acknowledging that these problems are serious and are not being resolved, we must look for a component of education that is lacking, and see if by adding this these difficulties can be eradicated, and youth are enabled to lead happy, active lives.

True education implies the acquisition of "wisdom," i.e., knowledge based on self-experience. Perhaps it is this aspect of education that is missing.

To train the mind to live with the reality of the present moment within the body and mind is the essence of the technique of Vipassana meditation. The basis of Vipassana is morality. A moral code is given to which students must adhere in order to attend a Vipassana course, and the value of continuing to abide by this code becomes apparent as the student tries to practise meditation in daily life. The second step is Anapana meditation. This means remaining aware of the natural breath at and inside the nostrils for as long as possible, thereby increasing concentration. The third step on a Vipassana course is Vipassana meditation proper - developing insight, personally acquired wisdom of the nature of our bodies and minds. Those who sincerely undergo a course in Vipassana meditation report an appreciation of the need for morality; improved concentration, and a feeling of release from tensions and negativity; and an increase in happiness and positive activity. Hence Vipassana is not merely an art of living but also true education.

The ideal period to begin this education in a child is before birth, in the mother's womb. During pregnancy a woman who regularly practises Vipassana creates an environment conducive to positive mental health development in the child.

Once the child is born, how soon can he or she be given this mental training? Optimum benefits are seen in children above eight years of age. However, some between five and seven years of age who have participated in children's courses, accepted this education well.

In India many two or three-day Anapana courses have been successfully conducted at three Vipassana centres, as well as in schools. Though a residential course of two to three days is optimum, even one-day courses conducted in schools have shown promising results. Different courses are held for different age groups (e.g., eight to ten, eleven to thirteen, and thirteen to fifteen years), the schedules varying according to the cognitive-grasping capacity of the age group. School children are taught only Anapana, the important preliminary technique in the teaching of Vipassana. Younger children work for fifteen to thirty minutes with ease; middle school children can easily meditate for thirty to forty-five minutes at a stretch. Group discussions, games and creative activities punctuate the periods of meditation. In addition, the theory and value of this meditation practice are taught in short discourses and in counselling sessions with older experienced meditators. Some middle and high school students, after learning Anapana and practising for some time, come on their own for a full ten-day Vipassana course, which they successfully complete. Recently a few schools have incorporated the teaching of Anapana into their daily curriculum. Scientific research studies are being carried out on the beneficial effects, based on parents' and teachers' reports. Preliminary findings indicate positive changes.

Some colleges and universities in India have been holding ten-day Vipassana courses or have been sending their students for regular courses, as part of their teaching programme. So far no research work has been done to evaluate the benefits of these ten-day courses, but regular requests for courses, and enthusiastic responses from the youth and teacher participants, suggest a favourable outcome.

The real benefits will come only if this meditation practice becomes an integral part of daily life. The multiple benefits are the consequence of important changes in two major spheres. First, developing concentration with awareness increases the child's mental strengths of understanding, memory and expression. This benefit manifests in his or her academic career as well as various other activities such as games, arts and crafts. Second, the technique helps to purify the mind. Negativities such as abusive or violent behaviour gradually start giving way to more peaceful, harmonious and respectful behaviour at school, home and in society. Hence, with this practice, these problems are bound to show a decline in the long run.

We are confident that more teaching of Anapana and Vipassana as a part of the regular curriculum in the field of education would lead to lasting beneficial changes in the younger generation, which would bring about a positive revolution in society.

Children Comment on Their Meditation Experiences

The following were written by children who attended courses in India.

I am a girl aged 17. I first attended a Vipassana course when I was 12 years old.

The first time I realized that Vipassana had helped me was when I took my tenth standard board exam. Basically a person who grew nervous at the slightest cause, I found myself surprisingly calm and composed as I sat in the examination. Twice-a-day meditation had brought a certain amount of confidence in me. In a state of nervousness, a student tends to forget even those facts which at one time he knew so well. But when he is calm and confident, those chapters which he had read only a few times, become so clear in his mind.

I used to pass through stages of depression (though for no obvious reason) and periods when I would grow rebellious. I still do some times, as most people pass through at this age. But now I see that I do not waste as much time brooding or feeling lethargic as I used to. My outlook towards my student life has also changed. Known for my rebellious nature, I have indeed calmed down. It is a practice these days among students to mock their teachers. But Vipassana has helped me build a certain respect for my elders, which though not very perceptible, is nevertheless felt inside by me. I have also developed a certain optimistic view towards things. In fact it is mainly the pessimistic view which ultimately leads teenagers to opt for drugs and other bad habits.

I feel Vipassana is an important element, essential to students. If I want to become a better person, I know Vipassana will help me.

- Kavita, age 17

I think that I have begun to speak less, and more or less consult with my mind before speaking or doing any actions. This has put a stop to my reflex actions.

- Vayati, age 14

At first I did not enjoy much what I was there for. Then I forced myself to do exactly what Goenkaji said, because I wasn't following his steps properly. Little did I know that suddenly I would break out of my passions and anger as if a cloud-burst had occurred in me to free myself from all the bad visions of life. Why don't they organize these courses in jails so that the criminals will be free from all their anger and bad life?

- Hilaur, age 14

I was very happy to see children of different religions coming to this camp, and to see that not only people from our country, but also from other countries, came here. I performed s±dhan± (practice) with full interest, and wrong thoughts and wrong things vanished from my mind like thin air.

Here Goenkaji treats every religion equally. According to me this is the best way of national unity. I wish I was a little bigger to join in Vipassana. This is the best experience in my life.

- Ajay, age 16

These three days I had a rather tough time meditating for so many hours. At the end of this course I am quite determined to attend the ten-day course. I realized one thing when I was speaking with a foreigner, and that is how eager people are to learn this technique all around the world.

- Siddhartha, age 14

I got Vipassana at the age of 10. I consider myself very lucky to become a Vipassana meditator at such an early age.

In my studies Vipassana has been very helpful to me. I find that I concentrate better and therefore understand better. Previously I was quite nervous before examinations. Now whenever I feel nervous, I watch one breath and overcome my nervousness to a certain degree.

Whenever I get angry, I am able to get over it more quickly than before. Sometimes I feel frustrated and irritated, but then I am able to watch my breath and sensations and overcome the anger.

I believe my tolerance has increased since I became a meditator. I get easily irritated when someone does something that I don't like, but now I feel this has decreased a little.

Lastly, to a certain extent, I can take things as they are more easily than before.

I have full faith that if I continue practising Vipassana, I will undoubtedly become a better human being.

- Dipali, age 17