(continued from previous post)
In insight practise, reality is seen to be non dualistic (no self
aspect) and self-liberating (impermanence aspect), therefore
Vipashyana can be known as the effortless/choiceless
non-dualistic 'practise' (hopefully that sounds
neo-advaita enough 
)...
where not even a letting go is necessary because reality 'arises'
itself, 'let goes' itself. Far from the 'dualistic practises' that
the neo-advaitas always criticise (that's ok since Insight practise
is found solely in Buddhism and meditational practises elsewhere
belongs to the Shamatha category and are indeed, dualistic
practises, used as a support for gathering strength and calmness
but does not lead to insights and liberation),
Vipashyana practises are not ritualistic practise but Insight
Practise -- where strong investigative awareness leads to insights
on reality away from the ritualistic conditioned mind which J
Krishnamurti always talk about. Being non-dual in nature where no
dualistic relationship is assumed, Vipashyana isn't something that
'someone' does to become 'enlightened', it does not lead to union
of subject and object (union can only happen when dualistic
relationship is assumed in the first place), it does not lead
anywhere... only insights into the illusoriness of 'self',
'duality', 'permanence' and the reality of luminous-emptiness are
gained. To say that 'someone becomes enlightened' is true on the
relative level, on the ultimate level it is not seen to be
so.
From a pure insight practice point of view, you cant ever
fundamentally let go of anything, so I sometimes wish the
popularity of this misleading and indifference-producing admonition
would decline, or at least be properly explained. However,
if you simply investigate the truth of the Three
Characteristics of the sensations that seemed to be a solid thing,
you will come to the wondrous realization that reality is
continually letting go of itself! Thus, let it go at
its best actually means, dont give a bunch of transient
sensations an excessive sense of solidity. It does not mean, stop
feeling or caring, nor does it mean, pretend that the noise in
your mind is not there.
~ Dharma Dan, Arhat
I've found a wonderful definition of Vipasyana (Insight)
Practise by Kalu Rinpoche from the "Luminous Mind" from another
forum:
"When the mind abides in its natural state, its profound
nature can gradually reveal itself, and all its qualities are
uncovered. This is Vipassyana practise... Vipassyana...is to see
clearly, to have insight into mind's nature and clear vision of its
basic state.
...there are differences between the approaches of Shamatha and
Vipassyana. Shamatha uses an object or reference, although a subtle
one, upon which the mind meditates; a dualistic relationship is
estblished between the mind and its object. In Vipassyana, however,
mind and object are essentially one, not two, and remain this
way.
...In Vipassyana, many thoughts go through the mind, but they are
niether suppressed or followed. They arise and pass away without
our having to interfere..Vipassyana...consists of letting go of
thoughts, letting them be pacified and liberated by them
selves..."
He mentions to always verify these experiences with a qualified
teacher, to prevent from going astray.
Here's another nice definition of Insight practise by Dharma
Dan:
Some more about the difference between Samatha/Shamatha
(Concentration) and Vipassana/Vipasshyana (Insight):
...There is a lot of confusion on the differences between
concentration practices and insight practices. This may be caused
in part by the Mushroom Factor, or may be due in part to other
factors, such as concentration practice being easier than insight
practices and distinctly more pleasant most of the time.
Concentration practices (samatha or samadhi practices) are
meditation on a concept, an aggregate of many transient sensations,
whereas insight practice is meditation on the many transient
sensations just as they are. When doing concentration practices,
one purposefully tries to fix or freeze the mind in a specific
state, called an absorption, jhana or dyana. While reality
cannot be frozen in this way, the illusion of solidity and
stability certainly can be cultivated, and this is concentration
practice.
Insight practices are designed to penetrate the Three Illusions of
permanence, satisfactoriness and separate self so as to attain
freedom. (N.B., the illusion of satisfactoriness has to do with the
false sense that continuing to mentally create the illusion of a
separate, permanent self will be satisfactory or helpful, and is
not referring to some oppressive and fun-denying angst trip).
Insight practices (various types of vipassana, dzogchen, zazen,
etc.) lead to the progressive stages of the progress of insight.
Insight practices tend to be difficult and somewhat disconcerting,
as they are designed to deconstruct our deluded and much cherished
views of the world and ourselves, though they can sometimes be
outrageously blissful for frustratingly short periods....
~ Dharma Dan, Arhat
And the best thing about Buddhist practise is that if a
practitioner just moronically follow the instructions and do the
practise (therefore there is absolutely no need for 'search', just
practise), he would certainly gain insights about reality. Just
like self inquiry leads to the experience of Presence (you know
that from your own experience with Ramana Maharshi's teachings on
self-inquiry), Insight practise taught by Buddha works even more
directly and leads directly to non-dual awakening, while self
inquiry stops at witnessing presence, requiring a more enlightened
master of traditions that practising self-enquiry to point out the
non dual nature, whether in Buddhism or elsewhere.
...That night the abbot played
a tape of a man describing the stages of insight. It blew my mind,
as he described exactly what I had gone through in the previous 13
days. I could clearly see how the stages he was describing had
unfolded, exactly where I was and what I had to do. I was
also astounded that the path could be so reproducible and
straightforward, that I could just follow moronically simple
instructions and have it all happen. Those who want to get
lost in the reaction, No, it isnt so simple. Awakening is a great
and intractable mystery! You are lying! It mustnt be so! should
take a few moments to seriously question exactly how this
disempowering and inaccurate view helps them feel good about
themselves. They should then take a few moments to find another,
more empowering view that helps them feel good about themselves,
step up to the plate, and hit a home run...
~ Dharma Dan, Arhat
