If someone told me I’m going to stay that long in retreat, I’d have thought I’m going to get enlightened by that time. But it’s not like that in reality and I’m talking not only about my experience but about the experience of many others I met here. Although, I have to add that I don’t know if any other experience would be more valuable than this one.

Someone asked me recently whether I’m happy after all these years here and I couldn’t answer positive. It’s just how it is.

Thanks for your Wonderful blog post. This is really helpful for me!

I also had a good experience in Yoga and Meditation retreat program at Kep, Cambodia. Its a 4 day Healing program which includes the various forms of massage, ayurvedic therapies, sound healing, and energy healing. When I read your blog I missed my days.

Hi Satyanarayan,
I remember there being a couple of discourses that were in English, but most were in Burmese indeed. However, the teacher assigned to me did speak fluent English.
Hope that helps,
Gabriel

Your post is very helpful in understanding the complete schedule at Pa-Auk. I’ve query on evening dhamma talks. It is mentioned that evening Dhamma discourses are in Burmese.. What is the option available for foreigners ??

Regards & Metta,
Satyanarayan

Thank you for the warm and encouraging comments 🙂 I’m happy to read that you found my account useful. I encourage you to pursue meditation in Myanmar when the right circumstances arise. If you’re interested taking a deeper dive into the Pa Auk method until then, I encourage you to read “Focused and Fearless” and “Wisdom, Wide and Deep” by Shaila Catherine.
Wishing you the best.
Gabriel

I’ve been watching a number of Dhamma talks on YouTube recently by various monks of the Theravada tradition. Two of whom I’ve been drawn to but have had a couple of small reservations in the back of my mind. Then, one day this week, I was looking to listen to another Dhamma talk on YouTube and one of the recommended videos was a Dhamma talk by Bhante Kovida of Pa Auk Monastery. During the talk, I knew I had to visit the monastery to practice. There were no doubts in mind. Investigating further, I stumbled across your blog and must say that the detail in your post absolutely brought me into your experience.

Things aren’t conducive at the moment to allow me to travel to Myanmar with this whole COVID-19 situation and my family obligations, but I know I’ll find a way at some point to get out there.

Thank you again for the post and may manifold blessings continue to shower you like rain.

Hi Bhanu!
I do find advantages to both group sittings and private sitting. In group sittings I generally find it easier to stay disciplined (I move less during meditation) and in moments of lower motivation, I find that the commitment to a group really helps keep my practice alive. However, I find that attention generally gets stable more easily in private, as there are less distractions in the forms of surrounding sounds or thoughts pertaining to other meditators (or even self-conscious thoughts like “what do I look like”, etc.). I found the chants at Pa Auk enjoyable, but I did not really practice them as a mantra or a meditative exercise when I was at Pa Auk. If I was to go back, I’d use them as an object of concentration and see how that goes.

Hope that helps 🙂

Really appreciate you documenting your experiences!

Hi Nicky,

There will be no problems with you sleeping until breakfast, as the schedule is not enforced strictly.

Wishing you the best,
Gabriel

Thanks for the detailed blog post. This is really helpful for me!

I have had many concussions in the past which leads me to needing to get at least 8-9 hours of sleep per night. I am curious if it is allowed to sleep until breakfast at 530am or if they are strict about the wake up time? I have done long term retreat getting up at 3:50am and it caused me serious physical harm. Thanks in advance,

Nicky