Vipassana is one of Indias most techniques of meditation. 2500 Years ago it was rediscovered by the Gotama the Buddha and taught by him as a universal remedy for universal ills. At first, the technique flourished in India but gradually it became corrupted, lost its efficacy, and disappeared from the land of its origin. Fortunately, the neighbouring country of Burma preserved the original form of vipassana through the millennia. Since 1969, it has been re introduced into India, where it is now striking deep roots. Vipassana is a Pali word meaning insight, seeing things as they really are. It is not a blind faith or philosophy, and has nothing to do with sectarian religion. Instead, Vipassana is a practical method that can be applied by anyone of average intelligence. Its goal is to purify the mind to eliminate the tensions and negativities that make us miserable Vipassana meditation is taught by Shri Satya Narayan Goenka and his assistant teachers. Courses are held regularly in different parts of India and abroad. The Art of Living is the first book to appear in English that accurately describes at length, for the general reader, Vipassana meditation as taught by Shri S.N.Goenka.
About the Author
William Hart, a well-known editor, translator, writer and teacher, studied English literature at McGill University, Montreal and translation (French to English) at the University of Ottawa. He has worked as an independent editor-translator for various departments of the Canadian government. He was one of the first assistant teachers appointed by S.N. Goenka. He still conducts Vipassana courses mainly in Israel. His book, The Art of Living, has been translated into more than 15 languages. The Art of Meditation: Achieving Peace through the Vipassana Technique is another famous book of his.