Abstract:
This qualitative study aimed to investigate the experience in losing a loved one of insight meditation practitioners by using phenomenological research. Key informants were five persons who lost their beloved ones, like a parent or a spouse, and practiced insight meditation on the grieving process. Data was collected via in-depth semi-structured interviews. Findings revealed three major themes. The first theme is Suffering at the Time of Loss. The theme consisted of five sub-themes: sorrow, heartbreak, disappointment, blaming, and escape from things bringing back memories. The second theme is Healing through Observing, Being Mindful, and Understanding Dukkha (suffering). The theme consisted of six sub-themes: continued distress (i.e., recalling memory involving the departed and being overwhelmed by emotions when thinking about the past), being mindful of suffering in mind, applying dharma to understand existing suffering, applying mindfulness as a scaffolding to counteract suffering (i.e., stop thinking, being present, and reflect on cause of suffering), reduced suffering (i.e., the thoughts had stopped and faded away, the mind became tranquil and wake up to reality let go of attachment and had peace of mind). The final theme is Comprehension about Life after loss involved with three subthemes;, and appreciation of Sati and Vipassana The theme consisted of three sub-themes:, comprehension about loss, (i.e., realize suffering caused by separation, accept reality and be ready for uncalm mind, and gain more insight about suffering from the past loss), comprehension about life through Dhamma (i.e., realize that their internal experience related to dhamma, and seeing ones life as a nature), and Realize the meaning of mindfulness and insight meditation (i.e., dealing other aspects of distress with mindfulness, continue dharma practice to be present, and interact to people with mindfulness). The research findings provided an understanding of persons with grief and their healing process through insight meditation and eventually led the bereaved person to accept their loss.