I also consider Goenka to be my teacher of meditation being at his classes three times - two ten day silent retreats and one 3 day, Ron Alexander
Thought For the Week
Though I never met the man, I considered S.N. Goenka to be my teacher of meditation. His teachings were viewed per videotape at the four courses I have attended in GA and IL, as they are at all courses worldwide. He made his transition 9-24-2013. Below is a wonderful story about how Goenka impacted the entire assembly of the UN one day. Enjoy.
It was late afternoon of a long day toward the end of August 2000. In the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York, delegates to the Millennium World Peace Summit were weary and a little jaded. This was the first global gathering of religious and spiritual leaders at the UN, and it had descended into acrimony. Far from finding common ground, the delegates had sharply differed over the question of conversion. Some delegates were highly critical of the practice; others representing some of the leading religions rejected those views. Over the years, the hall had often been the setting for this sort of wrangle involving politicians; it was disappointing to see spiritual leaders doing no better.
To close the session, a lesser-known figure made his way to the podium, helped by an assistant. His silver hair gleamed; he wore a smartly tailored Indian suit. Carefully he paid respects and smilingly surveyed the crowd. Then he started speaking, and within seconds he had caught the attention of the assembled dignitaries.
“Religion is religion only when it unites,” he said. “Religion is no religion when it divides. Religion is not for dividing people. It is for uniting people.”
The words were greeted with a sudden burst of applause. This was not more of the same argument that had been dragging on all day. The delegates started to pay attention.
The speaker picked up his thread: “So much has been said for and against conversion. I am for conversion, not against it. But conversion not from one organized religion to another organized religion—no. Conversion from misery to happiness. Conversion from bondage to liberation. Conversion from cruelty to compassion. That is the conversion needed today.”
Applause greeted almost every statement. The speaker warmed to his theme: “If I have an agitated mind full of anger, hatred, ill will and animosity, how can I give peace to the world?
“Therefore all the sages and saints and seers of the world have said, ‘Know thyself.’ Not merely at the intellectual, emotional or devotional level, but at the actual level. When you know the truth about yourself at the experiential level, many of the problems get solved. You start understanding the universal law of nature or God, which is applicable to one and all.
“When I observe myself and find that I am generating anger, ill will or animosity, I realize that I am the first victim of the hatred or animosity I am generating within myself. Only afterwards do I start harming others. And if I am free from these negativities, nature or God Almighty starts rewarding me: I feel so peaceful.
“Whether I call myself a Hindu or a Muslim or a Christian or a Jain, it makes no difference: a human being is a human being. Human mind is human mind. Conversion should be from impurity of the mind to purity of the mind. This is the real conversion that is necessary—nothing else.”
The gong had rung, indicating that the speaker’s time was up. But he begged indulgence to deliver a message from a past ruler of his country. Quoting and then paraphrasing, the speaker said:
“Every religion has the wholesome core of love, compassion and good will. The outer shell differs, but give importance to the inner essence and there will be no quarrel. Don’t condemn anything, give importance to the essence of every religion and there will be real peace and harmony.”
The ruler referred to was the great Emperor Ashoka of India, who had issued the message—the world’s first call for religious tolerance—more than two millennia before. And the messenger was a man who always regarded Ashoka as a hero and had devoted his life to teaching a way to inner peace: Satya Narayan Goenka
Eric Gibson: Were so much on the same page brother.I love this information,I don't know if we need the religious leaders permission to remain silent,lol Every religion has the wholesome core of love, compassion and good will. The outer shell differs, but give importance to the inner essence and there will be no quarrel. Don’t condemn anything, give importance to the essence of every religion and there will be real peace and harmony.”This is beautiful,I will share it soon.Although I support the Dharmma foundation,I am not Buddhist,I just am and that encompass all.I watched the Dharmma Brothers some years ago,and have found it to be true,Ive worked with at risk teenagers and career criminals,this is the best and fastest method i have found,thank-you so much brother
Ron Alexander: Interestingly, Brother Eric Gibson, Goenka was not a Buddhist either. He was powerful rich industrialist in Burma, who turned to meditation ito try to cure his migraines....
As he ''purified'' his mind while meditating, his migraines went away - only to return with toxic thinking, so he meditated a lot. Then he took it back to his family in India and helped his Mother heal. Then others asked him to teach them The Buddha's meditation. Goenka was always proud that he taught Vipassana as a non-religious layman. The Dalai Lama sends his Monks to learn ''advanced'' meditation. Anapana, using breath as a concentration,, is considered as the beginner meditation, and is always the first three days of the ten day course. This Free ten days of silent learning is a requirement to even become a Vipassana student in Goenka's strict way. I have studied with a well-known teacher who maintains he is a Vipassana Meditator, but he only teaches Anapana, which is very helpful, but not powerful enough to stop migraine headaches. Prayer specifically Metta is also a part of Goenka's teaching - vital! MAY ALL BEINGS BE HAPPY!
