Dhamma Talks - How To :: Buddhapadipa Thai Temple

When I went to Munich, Germany, I met one novice who got interested in meditation. He is German, he speaks only a little Thai so it is hard for him to communicate with Thai monks who can speak very little German. When he saw me, I was introduced to him. Since then, he always came to me and asked me questions. One of the questions he asked me is how I taught people meditation. I answered him that I taught people meditation in a natural way.

What is the natural way? He asked. I answered him that it is observing things as they really are. It is just to observe the way of life. And he asked me for how long he should practise meditation each day. I answered him that he should practise 24 hours a day. He questioned me as to how he could do this. I answered him that we should observe life as it is. When we live a life; sitting, walking, standing and reclining or sleeping, we should know it. “People misunderstand meditation. They think that meditation must be sitting with the eyes closed, or walking very slowly without caring of anything. That is not true. Meditation is a life-observation. The meditator should practise meditation through his life continuously, non stop. When we move from one position to another, it means that we change position; but we still practise meditation, mindfully and continuously.

He seemed to understand my explanation. I encouraged him that to practise meditation depended on the individual; he had to search for himself and his middle way. When he found it, he could work it out for himself. When he could work on his mind, he could see his problem, and if his mind is ready, he can solve his problem. I explained to him that it was the same as when I started my monastic life; from the simple practice to the difficult. The important thing is to practise it first, and then we will see how much we can do and how we can help ourselves and others. The “how to” must be put into action; not only asking the question “how to”. This ‘how to’ can motivate us to practise, to develop ourselves and help others.