Choose your lesson

Dear Venerable,
The tradition of Theravada, in particular that of the monks of the forest, resonates with me more than other currents. In France, it seems less widespread than these other Buddhist currents and therefore more difficult to access to receive teachings (whether oral or through written publications). As a result, I find myself fluttering and stagnating in my Dhamma learning and practice. I pick here or there… What would be your advice? THANKS.

Venerable Nyanadharo: As you have been able to experience, the physical presence of an instructor, more experienced than you, is essential to progress safely and effectively on the path of meditation. The false leads are innumerable and the strength of our mind to always create new ones is inexhaustible. The practice of meditation of the monks of the forest allows a progression based on an effect of osmosis between the instructor and the student. By direct contact, by his inner state alone, without any will-to-do, the instructor “transports” the student to depths of levels of consciousness which, even if already within you, are unfamiliar to you. This new interiority for you will fade with distance and time, but it does not matter and this is the goal of your meditation: your practice should allow, step by step, to find this inner track that your instructor will have opened and drawn. This track will become clearer and more precise as you meet with your instructor. Patience and perseverance will be two essential virtues for you.

If you do not have the opportunity to come and meet me directly at the Bodhinyanarama monastery of Tournon-sur-Rhône (Ardèche), and concerning the Vipassana method developed by the monk of the forest, the Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw (deceased in 1982), you can check the following link: meditationvipassanabretagne.org.