An Interview With Vipassana Teacher, Father Peter D’Souza

The following submission was sent in by Reji Varghese. Father Peter D’Souza is a Christian Priest of the Missionary Society of St. Francis Xavier, and is also a Vipassana teacher and meditator. Father D’Souza talks to Reji Varghese about Christianity, spirituality and Vipassana meditation and how they are all interconnected. He seeks to dispel a lot of misunderstandings about Vipassana meditation that many Christians might have.

Could you please tell me a bit about your early years - where you studied, how you decided to be a priest and how long you’ve been a priest ?

I was born in Udupi (Mangalore) and  I did my  primary school in Mumbai and secondary school in Goa. I was mostly in Goa till my ordination, with a brief stint in Nagpur, where  I did my  graduation. The traditional priestly calling is built up around family, societal and spiritual upbringing. It’s been 41 years now and it’s been an interesting & adventurous journey.

How did you hear of Vipassana and what made you try it? It’s very unusual for a Christian priest to attend Vipassana as the general impression is that it’s a Buddhist technique.

I was introduced by a fellow priest who had attended three Vipassana meditation courses. Also in depth studies of Vatican 11, Theological research in Indology, reading the works of Eastern & Western seers & mystics did help. Above all the day to day realities I faced  in daily life and in my mission helped me understand that the problems humanity faces is universal. If the malady is universal then the remedy must also be non sectarian and universal. Greed, anger, hatred, ill will, sorrow etc are felt by everyone regardless of your religious beliefs, sect or nationality.  Principal Vipassana teacher Goenkaji used to always say, ‘Vipassana is a technique of Meditation rediscovered by the Buddha, and not ‘Buddhist’.

Do tell us about your experience on your first course. Were you convinced immediately about its benefits and its secular nature, or did it take you time for this understanding to happen and the benefits to sink in?

The first course in September 1990 was grueling in the beginning, but it ended on a high note. It was almost an experiential big bang for me. I realised that Vipassana was pure science – a science of mind & matter. Generally, it takes around three courses for this reality to really sink in well.

How many ten-day and long courses have you done? When did you  become an AT (Assistant Teacher), and what were your reasons for becoming an AT?

I was lucky to get  6 months of seva time in Igatpuri during which I completed 5 ten days, 1 Satipattana, one
20-day course, and one 30-day course. . I was invited to be an Assistant teacher in 1995 which strengthened my practice as I gained a lot from the experience of other meditators and students.

After becoming an AT, have you noticed any changes in your practice? Have you been able to convince more of your ordained colleagues  to take up Vipassana meditation ?

Yes, every practice evolves with the person. The Vipassana course has been part of our Seminary formation since 1996. Later on it was introduced in the Novitiate and it continues till today.

What was the reaction of the clergy and the church initially when you started practicing Vipassana and now when you are conducting courses?

My institution has been very supportive. Many priests and nuns have attended and benefitted from Vipassana meditation courses over many decades. . As usual some will question, argue & discourage, but the majority appreciate its fundamentals of (i) Morality, (ii) Concentration and (iii)  Wisdom, which are the inner core of every religion or tradition.

Are there any challenges you currently face as a Christian priest practicing and propagating Vipassana?

Though the fundamentals are common to most of the traditions, the packaging is bound by cultures which includes history & geography as in the Christian tradition. Some theoretical aspects will have to be sorted out with common study & research. Globalization through technology will help in mutual accommodation.

What would be your advice to conservative Christians who are fearful that practicing Vipassana could in some way dilute their Christianity? There are many in the clergy who  advise Christians not to do Vipassana as it is “unchristian” to do it.

Charity and compassion for all is common to all traditions. So too in Vipassna. Never force any practice on anyone. Respecting each other’s liberty in belief & practice will be the best practice

Vipassana talks about rebirth, different lokas of existence, etc. Isn’t this a fundamental shift in the Christian view which views Jesus Christ as the sole path to salvation and does not believe in rebirth etc. ?

The two traditions (i) The Judaic- Christian and (ii) The Indic tradition speak from their different worldviews, hence appear to have fundamental differences. The differences are more due to cultural perceptions of salvation which have an anthropic content to a large extent. More in depth research with the availability of advanced scientific data might bring in more similarities than differences. The Old Testament does have vague references to rebirth. The New Testament has Jesus Christ dominating the scene like the Buddha in the Tripitaka and researchers are finding a lot of commonalities between the two.

Vipassana, which means to see things as they really are, is one of India’s most ancient techniques of meditation. It was taught in India more than 2500 years ago as a universal remedy for universal ills, i.e., an Art of Living. The technique of Vipassana Meditation is taught in ten-day residential courses during which participants learn the basics of the method, and practice sufficiently to experience its beneficial results. There are no charges for the courses - not even to cover the cost of food and accommodation. All expenses are met by donations from people who, having completed a course and experienced the benefits of Vipassana, wish to give others the opportunity to also benefit. Vipassana courses are conducted in numerous Meditation Centers and at Non-Center course locations at rented sites. Each location has its own schedule of courses. In most cases, an application for admission to these courses can be completed online. There are many Vipassana Centers throughout the world in India and elsewhere in Asia/Pacific, in North America, in Latin America, in Europe, in Australia/New Zealand, in the Middle East and in Africa. Ten-day non-center courses are frequently held at many locations outside of Centers as they are arranged by local Vipassana students in those areas. Vipassana meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka has been successfully offered over the last 25 years within prisons located in Brazil, Canada, India, Israel, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom and the United States. Since all courses are 10-days in length and residential in nature, they are held within the walls of a corrections institution with the teachers and the volunteers who are managing the courses living with the prisoners for the duration of the course.