Attachment/Aversion -> Pull/Push

Vipassana theory 101 – sensations and subconscious mind

Suffering and unhappiness due to cravings and aversions. When we crave or try to avoid something, we stop living in the moment. A craving is any object you want more of and that takes control of your mind, for example addictions, longings or attachments. An aversion is any object you try to avoid, for example people, situations or experiences.

However, your craving or aversion isn’t to the object itself, but to the physical sensation the object brings to your body. Specifically, we crave objects that bring pleasant sensations and avoid objects that bring unpleasant sensations to the body.

Getting rid of attachments. By observing our physical sensations objectively without liking it (craving more) or disliking it (being averse), and by realizing that sensations are impermanent, we train the subconscious mind to let go of accumulated attachments. Through practicing awareness and objectivity towards sensations, we stop adding to our supply of cravings and aversions, causing old attachments to surface in the form of body sensations. If we continue to watch these sensations neutrally, we let go of past attachments. The analogy the teacher used to explain this is that our supply of subconscious attachments is like a charged battery. If you stop charging it (stop adding cravings/aversions), it will slowly discharge itself (the release of cravings/aversions). This is idea is similar to the teaching from the book The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment , which talks about clearing your mind through awareness of your thoughts (after that book, my mental chatter decreased by about 80%), except you’re observing bodily sensations instead of conscious thoughts.
Being a better, more enlightened person

Being in control of your mind. This 2,500 year old Vipassana meditation technique is considered Buddha’s greatest contribution to humankind. By teaching a method for people achieve control over their minds, to be objective and understand the nature of change, people could eradicate suffering caused by cravings and aversions. The theory is that as you progress to later stages of this meditation and build more focus, you’ll be more tuned into your body sensations to the point you’ll realize your body is made of vibrations and energy, and that you are only whole through the integration of many parts.

Finding clarity, love and compassion. Experiencing the nature of you body lets you understand first-hand that we’re not as separate from other beings as we seem to be, and that we’re all connected to what is around us. Eventually, having nothing but compassion and love towards the world. You don’t need to be Buddhist to practice this meditation. There were no religious symbols or rituals during the course or in the meditation technique.