(or Vipassana; Sanskrit / Pali) Insight. Vi comes from viesa which means “special” or “superior.” Ashyana means “to perceive.” So Vipashyana means “to perceive the superior.” Related to the Tibetan lhagthong: “To see the special.” Vipashyana is the discrimination of phenomena.

Classical Buddhism presents “Vipashyana” in different ways. But in synthesis, Vipashyana (insight meditation) should be understood as any meditation practice that by means of mental tranquility (calm abiding, Shamatha)  achieves insight into the true nature of the object of meditation.

True Vipashyana is achieved through the conscious use of the imagination, often called “clairvoyance.”