Master Goenka Travels from India to Teach Vipassana Mediation in U.S.

New York, N.Y.  One year, Master Goenka planned to travel from India to America to teach Vipassana Yoga. He was to tour in an RV, teaching meditation to prisoners in major prisons all over the country. At that time, he needed a place for his family to stay a few days in New York.

An old student came to me and asked for my help. I offered a small apartment in the same building I lived. Thanks to this, I was able to become close to him and had a few opportunities to personally meditate with him. I also had the chance to speak with him.

I told him, “Your teaching of Vipassana  are so wonderful and incredible, but perhaps for the beginner too difficult." I had seen first time students often quit and run away. “This is because sometimes there was no guidance on how to sit properly," he explained.

So, I explained what I have been taught in Okido Yoga, Japanese Yoga, by Masahiro Oki. It is the concept of well-known three teachings in Buddhism:

Bring your Body into the harmony with Nature,  Choushin.

Bring your Breath into harmony with Nature, Chousoku.

Bring your Mind into harmony with Nature,  Choushin .

I explained I personally incorporated these three basic teachings into Vipassana.  I showed Mr. Goenka how I actually meditate. I thought this could be taught as an “Introduction to Vipassana .” In fact, I was very successful in sending students to the Dojo after I taught this.

In those days, Mr. Goenka did not teach “How to Practice Vipassana .” Students only listened to his voice through speakers. So called “assistant teachers” sat in front of the students, never speaking.

Only at night, for five minutes, could they ask questions to the assistant teachers. Mr. Goenka did not allow assistant teachers to elaborate upon his teaching.

So, my idea was to teach such technical parts before the students go to the Dojyo .  This is not something different to incorporate into his teaching, as he does not teach practical way of meditation, such as sitting, breathing, and concentrating one's mind, I thought this was very helpful. Mr. Goenka was very pleased at my explanation. Ever since I have been teaching this “Introduction.”

Incidentally, my teaching of “ Choushin ” has special techniques. The purpose of this is to bring your spine as straight as possible, in the way of a horse or dog or any four legged animal.

After we began to stand up and walk on two legs, our human spine began to curb, adjusting our body balance. Yet, if our spine is curved, it is difficult to sit for a long time. So, I teach that we do not sit on our last bone, tail bone. Otherwise, our body cannot be in harmony with Nature.

In Japan during the Meiji period (1868-1912), Dr. Torajirou Okada pioneered a valuable teaching called “Seiza.”  My great uncle, Dr. Kobayashi Sansaburo (the physician who opened the first hospital in Hawaii) and his wife, Nobuko, established the Seizasha Dojyo.

Aunt Nobuko taught me this Seiza since I was twelve and this w as exactly Vipassana when I come to think of it.  She was so strict in seeing my spine was straight which meant “Do  not sit on the sacrum!”

A few years ago, a monk of the Jyodo Shinnshuu Buddhist sect came from Japan. I helped him to establish himself and Shinran’s teaching here, and helped him to start teaching this “Seiza” in New York area. His name is Miki Nakura. He may be contacted at  mikinakura87@gmail.com .

Originally published as Vol. 19 in  Weekly Biz , March 24, 2018; translated by Jim Luce.

See:  Dr. Kazuko Hillyer Tatsumura Column in Japan’s Weekly Biz

(ニューヨークビズ！)

Dr. Kazuko ,  Gaia Holistic Foundation ,  Japan ,  Japanese essay ,  Kazuko Hillyer Tatsumura

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