As I reflect tonight on the example of Bhante Gavesi, and his remarkable refusal to present himself as anything extraordinary. One finds it curious that people generally visit such a master with all these theories and expectations they’ve gathered from books —wanting a map, or some grand philosophical system to follow— but he just doesn't give it to them. He’s never seemed interested in being a teacher of theories. Rather, his students often depart with a much more subtle realization. A sort of trust in their own direct experience, I guess.
There is a level of steadiness in his presence that borders on being confrontational if your mind is tuned to the perpetual hurry of the era. I have observed that he makes no effort to gain anyone's admiration. He just keeps coming back to the most basic instructions: know what is happening, as it is happening. Within a culture that prioritizes debating the "milestones" of dhyāna or some kind of peak experience to post about, his way of teaching proves to be... startlingly simple. It’s not a promise of a dramatic transformation. It is just the idea that clarity can be achieved through sincere and sustained attention over a long duration.
I reflect on those practitioners who have followed his guidance for a long time. They seldom mention experiencing instant enlightenments. It is more of a rhythmic, step-by-step evolution. Extensive periods dedicated solely to mental noting.
Awareness of the abdominal movement and the physical process of walking. Refraining from shunning physical discomfort when it arises, and refusing to cling to pleasurable experiences more info when they emerge. It’s a lot of patient endurance. Gradually, the internal dialogue stops seeking extraordinary outcomes and rests in the fundamental reality of anicca. It is not the type of progress that generates public interest, nonetheless, it is reflected in the steady presence of the yogis.
He is firmly established within the Mahāsi lineage, which stresses the absolute necessity of unbroken awareness. He is ever-mindful to say that wisdom does not arise from mere intellectual sparks. It is the fruit of dedicated labor. Many hours, days, and years spent in meticulous mindfulness. He has personally embodied this journey. He abstained from pursuing status or creating a large-scale institution. He opted for the unadorned way—extended periods of silence and a focus on the work itself. I find that kind of commitment a bit daunting, to be honest. It is not a matter of titles, but the serene assurance of an individual who has found clarity.
I am particularly struck by his advice to avoid clinging to "pleasant" meditative states. Specifically, the visual phenomena, the intense joy, or the deep samādhi. He says to just know them and move on. See them pass. He is clearly working to prevent us from becoming ensnared in those fine traps where we turn meditation into just another achievement.
It’s a bit of a challenge, isn’t it? To ponder whether I am genuinely willing to revisit the basic instructions and just stay there long enough for anything to grow. He does not demand that we respect him from a remote perspective. He’s just inviting us to test it out. Sit down. Look. Keep going. The entire process is hushed, requiring no grand theories—only the quality of persistence.