New Delhi: Highlighting the importance of Vipassana, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said Vipassana is the path of “self-transformation through self-observation”. While Vipassana had great relevance when it was introduced thousands of years ago, the Prime Minister reaffirmed his belief that it has become even more relevant in today’s life as it has the power to solve the world’s current challenges.
Addressing the birth centenary celebrations of Acharya SN Goenka through video conferencing, the PM said that due to the efforts of Guruji, more than 80 countries of the world have understood the importance of meditation and have adopted it. Recalling the support of more than 190 countries to India’s proposal to celebrate International Yoga Day, the Prime Minister said, “Acharya Shri Goenka once again gave global recognition to Vipassana. Today India is giving new expansion to that resolve with full force.” United Nations, making it a part of life globally.
Even though it was India’s ancestors who researched the processes of Vipassana Yoga, the Prime Minister pointed out the irony where the next generations forgot its importance. He said, “Vipassana, meditation, dharana are often considered to be only a matter of renunciation and people but its role was forgotten” and praised eminent personalities like Acharya Goenka for their leadership. Quoting Guruji, the Prime Minister said, “A healthy life is a big responsibility of all of us towards ourselves.” Highlighting the benefits of Vipassana, he said that the practice of Vipassana has become even more important in today’s challenging times when the youth have become victims of stress due to work-life balance, prevalent lifestyle and other issues.
He emphasized that Vipassana is a solution not only for him but also for members of micro and nuclear families where elderly parents live under a lot of stress. He also urged everyone to involve elderly people in such initiatives.
