I’ve been sitting here tonight thinking about Bhante Gavesi, and how he avoids any attempt to seem unique or prominent. One finds it curious that people generally visit such a master armed with numerous theories and rigid expectations from their reading —looking for an intricate chart or a profound theological system— yet he consistently declines to provide such things. He’s never seemed interested in being a teacher of theories. Rather, his students often depart with a much more subtle realization. It is a sense of confidence in their personal, immediate perception.
His sense of unshakeable poise is almost challenging to witness for those accustomed to the frantic pace of modern life. I have observed that he makes no effort to gain anyone's admiration. He unfailingly redirects focus to the core instructions: be aware of the present moment, exactly as it unfolds. In a society obsessed with discussing the different "levels" of practice or pursuing mystical experiences for the sake of recognition, his perspective is quite... liberating in its directness. It is not presented as a vow of radical, instant metamorphosis. It is merely the proposal that mental focus might arise through sincere and sustained attention over a long duration.
I think about the people who have practiced with him for years. They don't really talk about sudden breakthroughs. It is characterized by a slow and steady transformation. Prolonged durations spent in the simple act of noting.
Awareness of the abdominal movement and the physical process of walking. Not rejecting difficult sensations when they manifest, and not grasping at agreeable feelings when they are present. This path demands immense resilience and patience. Gradually, the internal dialogue stops seeking extraordinary outcomes and settles into the way things actually are—the impermanence of it all. Such growth does not announce itself with fanfare, nonetheless, it is reflected in the steady presence of the yogis.
He is firmly established within the Mahāsi lineage, centered on the tireless requirement for continuous mindfulness. He is ever-mindful to say that wisdom does not arise from mere intellectual sparks. It comes from the work. Commitment to years of exacting and sustained awareness. He has personally embodied this journey. He abstained from pursuing status or creating a large-scale institution. He simply chose the path of retreat and total commitment to experiential truth. I find that kind of commitment a bit daunting, to be honest. It’s not about credentials; it’s just that quiet confidence of someone who isn't confused anymore.
I am particularly struck by his advice to avoid clinging to "pleasant" meditative states. For instance, the visions, the ecstatic feelings, or the deep state of calm. He tells us to check here merely recognize them and move forward, observing their passing. It’s like he’s trying to keep us from falling into those subtle traps where we treat the path as if it were just another worldly success.
This is quite a demanding proposition, wouldn't you say? To ponder whether I am genuinely willing to revisit the basic instructions and abide in that simplicity until anything of value develops. He’s not asking anyone to admire him from a distance. He’s just inviting us to test it out. Sit. Witness. Continue the effort. It is a silent path, where elaborate explanations are unnecessary compared to steady effort.