Sayadaw explains:
how his method came to be:
“This teaching method has come into being because of the inadequacy of traditional teachings. In traditional teachings and methods there are a many weaknesses, especially concerning the role of ‘I’. In traditional methods, action is essential. And because there is action, there comes the doer of the action, which is the misunderstanding of ‘I’. Whatever you do with ‘I’, you are doing with non-enlightenment and attachment. In this way, you are accepting the enemies as your friends, that’s why, however much you practice, it is very unlikely to get to the goal of real enlightenment.
“Most meditators, (especially in Myanmar), have the idea ‘I must meditate,’or ‘meditation is something I should do’. Their intention is not bad but the weak point is that what they understand and practice is not really meditation - because ‘I’ is meditating. In reality, knowing there is no ‘I’ is meditation. Instead of [trying to accept] the truth of no ‘I’, they practice [various] techniques with ‘I’ and that’s why although they have the right intention, it is nearly impossible they will reach the final goal.
“I see that there are a lot of misunderstandings when it comes to meditation, so I determined to try and solve this problem. Because of my hard work for over 4 years, this explanation appeared and it really works for nearly all people.”
how his method came to be:
“This teaching method has come into being because of the inadequacy of traditional teachings. In traditional teachings and methods there are a many weaknesses, especially concerning the role of ‘I’. In traditional methods, action is essential. And because there is action, there comes the doer of the action, which is the misunderstanding of ‘I’. Whatever you do with ‘I’, you are doing with non-enlightenment and attachment. In this way, you are accepting the enemies as your friends, that’s why, however much you practice, it is very unlikely to get to the goal of real enlightenment.
“Most meditators, (especially in Myanmar), have the idea ‘I must meditate,’or ‘meditation is something I should do’. Their intention is not bad but the weak point is that what they understand and practice is not really meditation - because ‘I’ is meditating. In reality, knowing there is no ‘I’ is meditation. Instead of [trying to accept] the truth of no ‘I’, they practice [various] techniques with ‘I’ and that’s why although they have the right intention, it is nearly impossible they will reach the final goal.
“I see that there are a lot of misunderstandings when it comes to meditation, so I determined to try and solve this problem. Because of my hard work for over 4 years, this explanation appeared and it really works for nearly all people.”
