Do you ever find yourself merely... sampling different spiritual paths? Many of us have done this—transitioning rapidly from one digital meditation tool to the next, searching for an immediate flash of enlightenment, yet inevitably returning to the beginning with an incessant internal monologue. In an environment that constantly urges us to live at a faster pace and market the latest "short-term remedy" for spiritual calm, it becomes genuinely wearisome. 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 was never the type of guide who desired a high public profile or seeking widespread popularity. He was an authentic practitioner—a calm and unwavering figure who saw no necessity in using complex or decorative language. If one desired a quick path to enlightenment, he was not the appropriate mentor. With a profound foundation in the Mahāsi Vipassanā school, his entire approach centered on a concept we often avoid: remaining present.
His method was remarkably straightforward, though it could be perceived as demanding at the start. He did not encourage students to "decorate" their meditative experience or to feign a state of bliss while experiencing intense physical discomfort. His instruction was limited to: rising, falling, moving, and experiencing discomfort. He allowed for no superficiality and no means of evasion. He guided individuals in the art of remaining with discomfort and confronting it squarely. Is there not something exceptionally courageous about that level of honesty? His lack of words, arguably, had more impact than the most eloquent speech.
We are so habituated to the act of "doing" and achieving —introducing novel methods and experimenting with ceremonies— that we forget the power of just simplifying. 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 used to say that wisdom matures slowly, kind of like fruit on a tree. You cannot demand that a piece of fruit reach maturity ahead of its natural schedule, can you? It follows its own organic timeline, just as meditation does. It necessitates a rare and beautiful blend of sheer determination and complete humble awareness.
Honestly, it makes me realize that real commitment does not involve a sudden or theatrical transformation of one's life. It’s much smaller and, in a way, much harder than that. It involves the choice to remain authentic during periods of monotony. It is the act of opting to observe your chaotic internal states rather than turning to a screen for psychological relief.
Sayadaw U Kundala might not have left behind a "brand" or a loud legacy, but he left something much better: a testament that the silent road is usually the one that reaches the destination. Each breath, each stride, and each small annoyance acts as a portal for realization. The process is not always pleasant, and it is certainly not rapid, but there is genuine freedom in the resolution to finally... stop the internal flight.
I would like to read more ask, does the image of "slow-ripening" wisdom speak to your current practice, or are you feeling more of that modern itch for a breakthrough?