A Model of Insight Meditation Practices Based on Four Satipatthana Teaching for Mental Health Development of the Elderly in Nakhon Sawan Province

Abstract

This research article investigated : 1) to study the principles of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness in the Theravāda Buddhist scriptures, 2) to examine the mental health problems among the elderly in Thai society, and 3) to propose a model of Vipassana meditation practice based on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness to improve the mental health of the elderly in Nakhon Sawan Province. This qualitative research employs document analysis and interviews, with data analyzed and synthesized with descriptive type of report. Research Findings were that A model for Vipassana meditation based on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness for improvement of the better mental health of the elderly in Nakhon Sawan focuses on the following areas: 1) Kāyānupassanā: Elders are encouraged to observe six aspects of the body, including awareness of breathing, physical postures, awareness on bodily movements, the 32 bodily parts, the four elements, and the perception of a corpse for understanding of impermanence without negligence. 2)Vedanānupassanā: Elders should observe nine aspects of feelings, such as pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral feelings, pleasant feeling with condition and unconditioned, unpleasant with conditions and unconditioned, neutral feeling with conditions and unconditioned, that is, cultivating detachment of all suffering and happiness.3)Cittānupassanā: Elders should observe 16 mental states as they really were, such as the presence or absence of lust or defilements of mind, to develop mindfulness and resist being carried away by cravings. 4)Dhammānupassanā: Elders are advised to examine five dhamma aspects: the Five Hindrances, Five Aggregates, Twelve Sense Bases, Seven Factors of Enlightenment, and the Four Noble Truths, thereby fostering mental health development based on their capacity and wisdom.