Have you ever had the sense that you are just... browsing through various meditative styles? Many of us have done this—transitioning rapidly from one digital meditation tool to the next, chasing that "aha!" moment, only to find yourself back at the start with a mind that remains overactive. In a society that perpetually pressures us to accelerate and promote the newest "quick solution" for mental tranquility, it can be profoundly fatiguing. We are so focused on reaching a spiritual pinnacle that we lose touch with the current reality.
This is precisely why the life of Sayadaw U Kundala resonates so deeply. He did not prioritize becoming a well-known spiritual figure or having a million followers. He was the genuine article—an understated and persistent presence who didn't feel the need to fill the air with fancy words. He was not the right choice for anyone in search of an easy spiritual bypass. Deeply rooted in the Mahāsi Vipassanā tradition, his core teaching focused on the very thing we tend to escape: staying in place.
The simplicity of his methodology is striking, despite appearing challenging initially. He discouraged any attempt to "refine" or "glamorize" one's practice or to feign a state of bliss while experiencing intense physical discomfort. It was a matter of simply noting: rising, falling, walking, and sensations of ache. It was a practice free from embellishment or psychological exit strategies. He taught people how to just sit with the discomfort and look it right in the eye. Such a practice requires remarkable bravery, does it not? His lack of words, arguably, had more impact than the most eloquent speech.
The reality is that we are conditioned toward constant activity —incorporating new tools and exploring different rituals— that we overlook the profound effectiveness of simplification. The central tenet of Sayadaw U Kundala’s view was: move away from the goal of being "better" and toward the reality of being present. He would explain that wisdom grows at its own pace, similar to the ripening of fruit. You cannot demand that a piece of fruit reach maturity ahead of its natural schedule, can you? It demands its own necessary read more time, and the path of insight is no different. It necessitates a rare and beautiful blend of sheer determination and complete humble awareness.
In truth, this leads to the realization that authentic dedication is not found in some spectacular or sweeping life renovation. It is something far more subtle and, consequently, far more difficult. It’s choosing to be sincere even when you’re bored. It is the act of opting to observe your chaotic internal states instead of using a mobile phone as a means of avoidance.
Sayadaw U Kundala might not have left behind a "brand" or a loud legacy, he provided something of far greater value: the realization that the understated path is frequently the one that produces real results. Every breath, every movement, and every small obstacle is an invitation to deeper awareness. It’s not always pretty, and it’s definitely not fast, but there is an authentic liberation in the decision to simply... cease the escape.
I would like to ask, does the image of "slow-ripening" wisdom speak to your current practice, or are you feeling the pressure of the modern demand for an immediate result?