Vipassana meditation in the tradition of S.N. Goenka is based upon neutral, non-judgemental, non-reactive awareness of the arising and passing of body sensations. This focus for meditation has two advantages. First, it is a practical focus that most people find they can work with, and that derives from a historical connection to the Buddha’s words. Second, this meditative focus puts the practitioner in line with the modern scientific world view as well as with the Buddha. The rising and passing of body sensations can be understood in a seamless, scientific narrative that connects cell biology, biochemistry, bioenergetics, the history of the evolution of life on Earth, solar nucleosynthesis and the evolution of the universe. This article traces this elegant and elevating scientific narrative in greater detail.
