MITRA Upakram is a joint initiative of Government of Maharashtra, Vipassana Research Institute(VRI) and Vipassana centers to facilitate wholesome mental and intellectual growth of Students.
MITRA, which stands for MIND IN TRAINING for RIGHT AWARENESS also means FRIEND or DOST in Hindi and many other Indian languages.
MITRA Project’s primary focus is on 2.5 crore school students and 6 Lac school teachers from all primary and secondary schools but is extendable to the students and teachers from Junior and senior colleges as well as higher and technical educational institutions.
Developing Right Awareness, through awareness of natural, respiration is the essence of MITRA, The students learn to observe the natural normal incoming breath and outgoing breath by focusing their attention at the entrance of their nostrils.
Without any imaginations or evaluation, simply observe their natural breath without trying to change, regulate or control the flow. This is the initial steps of Self-Awareness.
This scientific technique, known as ANAPANA of keeping attention focused on ‘ANA’ meaning incoming breath and ’APANA’ meaning out going breath, leads to Right Awareness and then further to Right Concentration.
ANAPANA can be practiced at ANY TIME of the day,ANYWHERE and by ANYONE, with no constrain or restriction of caste, creed, religious belief and faith, gender or age. A simple format of delivery has been designed by Vipassana Research Institute (VRI). An orientation session of 70 minutes give clear idea of why and how to practice and what are the benefits of Anapana.
A daily practice for 10 mins twice a day starts showing results in a couple of months. This daily practice is the main essential activity of the MITRA Project