About Mitra Upakram
MITRA, which stands for Mind In Training for Right Awareness, also means a FRIEND in English language.
Vipassana Research Institute (VRI) and Vipassana Centers, in a joint initiative with Government of Maharashtra, are offering a program called MITRA for the benefit of the teachers & students since 2012. The main focus of the project is the students and teachers, from primary & secondary schools, junior & senior colleges, higher, technical & professional educational institutions.
The objective of MITRA Project is facilitating an all-round growth, mental, academic and personality development of students & teachers by improving their awareness and concentration levels, through regular practice of Anapana Meditation.
The main activity of MITRA project is Anapana Meditation. An objective observation of the incoming and outgoing breath. ANA means incoming breath and APANA means out going breath. The technique of keeping attention focused on ANA-the incoming breath and APANA-the outgoing breath, NO imagination or evaluation, without trying to change, regulate or control the breath, simply observe the natural flow of breath, is called ANAPANA meditation. This scientific technique of pure objective observation leads to Right Awareness and then further to Right Concentration.
Vipassana Research Institute has designed an easy to implement orientation cum training program for teachers & students through guided instructions. Anapana can be easily learned in this one hour orientation cum training session. After that regular practice of Anapana Meditation for 10 mins twice a day, at home and/or in school-college, can easily achieve the objective of MITRA Project.
Benefits to Students
▪ Increased awareness and concentration
▪ Increased memory & improved understanding
▪ Improved self-discipline, self-confidence and decision-making ability
▪ Improved creativity and productivity
▪ Reduction in the tendency of restlessness and laziness
▪ Reduction in self-doubt and inferiority complex
▪ Reduction in the tendency of having indifference, disinterest & depression
▪ Reduced stress, worry, fear, anger, craving, aversion
▪ Feelings of love & compassion for others
▪ Feeling energetic and joyful
The beneficial effect of Anapana can also be seen as improved academic performance and overall qualitative positive transformation in students.
Benefits to Teachers
▪ Effort & Time to calm & silence the students in the class is saved
▪ Reduced effort & energy to discipline the students
▪ More pleasure & enthusiasm while teaching as students are more receptive
▪ Improved sense of mental & physical wellbeing.
▪ More satisfaction and mental calmness
▪ Reduced work Stress and Tension
▪ More effectiveness & confidence, Improved creativity and productivity
▪ Better interpersonal relation & goodwill
To learn more about Mitra Upakram : Mitra Upakram, Vipassana Research Institute
