Difference from Mantra Meditation

Question

Recently I came back from a 10 day course of Vipassana (Goenka). It is taught that no mantras should be used in insights meditation. Now, if I watch my belly while breathing and mentally note rising and falling, isn't that also like a mantra and my mind will automatically get lost on the words and no longer on the rising and falling of the belly?

Answer 1

In the Mahasi Sayadaw Vipassana tradition, we use a mantra technique to label everything that happens in the present moment. That helps us to remember what happens here and now. The proximate cause of mindfulness is strong perception. So if you do not mentally affirm what is happening at the present moment, you will have a hard time cultivating mindfulness.  Here is a video explaining it in detail.