For those just starting out, it’s perfectly acceptable to view Vipassana as the type of meditation where you simply sit with your eyes shut. There are no complicated mantras or specific hand positions involved. You won’t have to wander the room like they do at zen centers, or bow to a cup of tea. There’s no need for special attire. After each session, a speaker may share insights, but you can choose to leave or listen in and think, “wow, that person is brilliant.” You can tell them afterward, but don’t expect much of a reaction, as such praise is considered insignificant in that setting—or you might just head home and mock them to anyone who will listen. The choice is yours.
Reason #1 to Fear Meditation: Mortality Awaits
Many people express a fear of meditation, and honestly, they have good reason. To start, many participants are older. You can’t attend a Vipassana session and ignore the fact that one day you’ll have gray hair, ear hair, or a face reminiscent of a weathered apple doll. The meditation experience makes it abundantly clear that the Grim Reaper is on his way to collect you, and you might find yourself awaiting his arrival in mismatched socks and corduroys, breathing through your mouth.
You’ll probably doze off in your chair during meditation, only to tumble to the floor. But hey, if you’ve learned something through your years, you’ll just keep meditating right there on the ground. (This has happened to three different people since I began “sitting.” It’s not indicative of any serious issue; it’s just a quirk of the experience that could happen to you!)
Reason #2 to Fear Meditation: The Jerks
Many individuals begin meditating because they seek peace. However, another aspect to consider is that some people—like me—engage in it because they can be quite unpleasant, and meditation doesn’t cure that immediately, or even ever. Since these sessions are scheduled, you often end up in close quarters with others, leading to minor conflicts that can fester during meditation.
For instance, I once arrived late to a session, and a newcomer followed right behind me. The meditation center features a large foyer and then an expansive room for sitting. As we hurriedly shed our coats and shoes, she whispered, “Can we just slip into the other room, even though they’ve started?” I nodded and smiled to reassure her.
But there was another woman nearby who hadn’t been included in our conversation. She frowned and said, “It’s disruptive.” I understand what disruptive means, and yes, technically, entering the room two minutes late is disruptive, but it’s also one of those situations that falls under the category of “not a big deal.”
The new woman looked between the two of us, and I, not wanting to engage in a debate over her choices, simply shrugged and said, “I’m going in.” The naysayer shrugged back, but while my gesture was casual, hers seemed to convey, “Go ahead and be a terrible person while I uphold the moral high ground.”
Of course, arriving late was my fault, and the guy who fell out of his chair later didn’t do it on purpose, but the point remains: there will always be that one person trying to demonstrate they’re superior, and in my case, they usually are. But I’ve learned not to let them derail my own meditation.
Reason #3 to Fear Meditation: The Sounds
The final thing to genuinely fear during meditation is the cacophony of sounds. It’s often so quiet, especially after dinner, that you can hear the faintest burps and the sounds of people’s intestines performing their duties. You can practically hear the secretion of insulin!
On my last visit, the woman beside me unzipped her bag, opened a container of trendy mints, and poured a sizable handful into her mouth. At that moment, I had opened my eyes, curious about what kind of person would do this. As she munched away, I could hear every tiny movement of her tongue, the mints clicking against her teeth, and the sound of her saliva as it made its way down her throat. Initially, I was filled with irritation, but by the end, I realized I could have sketched her mouth in detail—oddly enough, this thought lessened my annoyance.
So yes, if you’re considering meditation, be aware of these potential fears. However, you need not worry about mastering meditation or even enjoying it. The key is simply to take a break from doing anything for a while. Once you adjust, or perhaps even before that, you might find that sitting in a quiet room with strangers offers a unique thrill—akin to being on ecstasy, but cheaper and without the next-day regrets. It’s amusing that “Vipassana” translates to “seeing things as they truly are,” as we often think of reality as corrupting, yet the experience of meditating feels so pure. Perhaps reality deserves a little more credit?
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Summary
Meditation can be an intimidating experience for beginners, with fears ranging from the inevitability of aging and death to the potential for encountering annoying fellow meditators. The sounds during meditation can also be distracting and frustrating. However, it’s essential to remember that meditation is about taking a moment to do nothing, which can ultimately lead to a sense of peace and clarity.