Vipassana to prevent stress

To avoid succumbing to mental stress while living a hectic life, it is essential to preserve the fundamental purity of our minds

By Dr. Rohana Ulluwishewa

Stress is our body’s response to pressure. It’s the sensation of pressure or tension that you may feel when you encounter challenges, problems, or demands in your life. This can lead to feelings of worry, being overwhelmed, or anxious. Stress can originate from various sources, such as work, school, relationships, or simply dealing with everyday tasks. It can occur when someone encounters something new or unexpected that threatens their sense of self, or when they perceive a lack of control over a situation. Stress is a significant issue in today’s society, affecting an individual’s mental and physical health, family and professional life, and a country’s economy in a negative manner. This issue is prevalent not only in Sri Lanka, where we reside, but also in other countries. Various psychiatric treatments are employed to manage stress, yet it remains a serious concern.

In its fundamental purity, the human mind lacks a distinction between ‘I’ and ‘not-I’ within the thoughts it generates. It embodies a sense of oneness in consciousness. Within this state of mind, thoughts and actions are not driven by self-interest. Thoughts arising from such a mind don’t harbour special concern for oneself. When seeking solutions to problems, it doesn’t attempt to resolve them solely for personal benefit. Unified thoughts are equitable, altruistic, and considerate of the public good. Individuals with such a mindset exist as integral parts of the whole, not as self-centred entities separate from the collective. Consequently, they consistently work for the common good. A pure mind of this nature is resilient and remains steadfast in the face of external pressures. Within such a mind, one finds peace, comfort, and contentment. Stress has no place in such a state of mind.

There are various methods that can be employed to return the mind to its fundamental state of purity. Some of these methods used in Western society include meditation, spiritual music, activities that enhance collective behaviour, spiritual psychotherapy approaches, and selfless service without expecting any personal gain. Regardless of the chosen method, when the mind attains its essential purity, one can experience mental healing. This has been substantiated by scientific research.

We must acknowledge that the primary cause of mental stress is the erosion of the fundamental purity of the mind inherent in human beings. Individuals experiencing stress can find relief through medical treatment. Additionally, traditional meditation practices can also offer temporary purity of mind. However, as long as the underlying factors that continually contaminate the mind persist, it remains impossible to prevent recurring stress.

Hence, the relief derived from external methods such as medication and achieving mental calmness through meditation is fleeting. Additionally, for individuals leading busy lives, it may not be practical to allocate several hours daily for meditation. This is where Vipassana becomes crucial as a technique capable of permanently addressing the root cause of stress, and it can be practiced while you are engaged in work and living your busy life.

If you wish to lead your usual busy life without succumbing to stress, you must discover a method that enables you to engage in your various tasks without compromising the inherent purity of your mind. Vipassana involves a meticulous examination of your mind while actively participating in different activities. Unlike other traditional meditation approaches, Vipassana doesn’t necessitate a separate time and place; it can be seamlessly integrated into your everyday busy life, which sets it apart. Initially, this can be challenging because, from childhood, we have conditioned our minds to focus on the external world rather than our inner selves. However, this practice can be gradually developed. With diligent practice, even amidst a hectic schedule, you can be mindful of what is happening within you. 

You can try this approach. First, before commencing your work, find a convenient method to calm your mind and restore it to its fundamental state of purity. This method can take the form of traditional meditation, listening to soothing music, or engaging in prayer or devotional singing. Regardless of the chosen method, the key is to bring about a sense of tranquillity and purity within the mind. Once your mind has been quenched and purified in this manner, you will experience its innate purity, peace, and a sense of mental healing.

Now, go ahead with your daily work activities. Whether you are at your workplace, home, or within the broader society, you will encounter various challenges and potentially confrontational situations with others. At such times, your mind may stray from its basic purity and become impure. External factors that should not inhabit a pure mind can intrude, including emotions such as anger, hatred, sadness, frustration, anxiety, worry, and fear. When the mind becomes impure in this way, the mental purity you had achieved previously may be lost, and stress may begin to emerge.

Nevertheless, if you continue to stay attuned to your inner experiences, signifying your continued awareness, you may notice that the inner peace you had previously enjoyed has dissipated. This serves as an early indication that stress is on the verge of surfacing. This internal disturbance signals the need to monitor the evolving mental pressure within you; it requires mindfulness of your inner state. In essence, while engaged in your tasks, you should practice Vipassana. By doing so, you will personally witness how the unsettling inner turmoil gradually subsides, never escalating into stress, remaining within your control.

Conversely, the situation takes a different turn if you find yourself unable to focus, introspect, or be conscious of the turmoil unfolding within you. In such cases, the inner turmoil and the resulting mental pressure can rapidly intensify. The escalation of stress becomes uncontrollable, leaving you vulnerable to this stressful state of mind.

If the facts are as follows, to avoid succumbing to mental stress while living a hectic life, it is essential to preserve the fundamental purity of our minds. Vipassana is a method that can be employed for this purpose. It is inclusive of individuals of any religious background, allowing anyone to personally experience its benefits.