Mahasi Sayadaw Quotes
Mahasi Sayadaw (U Sobhana, 1904-1982), Burmese Theravada Buddhist monk and meditation master, developed the modern vipassana movement. His systematic approach to mindfulness meditation has influenced Buddhist practice worldwide and spawned numerous meditation centers.
Just observe whatever arises. Don't try to create anything, and don't reject anything.
Mahasi Sayadaw
The mind that notes and the object that is noted are both impermanent. Understanding this leads to liberation.
Mahasi Sayadaw
Insight knowledge comes from direct experience, not from intellectual understanding.
Mahasi Sayadaw
Concentration develops naturally through continuous noting. Don't try to force concentration to arise.
Mahasi Sayadaw
Each moment of clear seeing is a moment of freedom from the illusion of permanence, satisfaction, and self.
Mahasi Sayadaw
Wisdom arises when you see the true characteristics of phenomena through direct experience.
Mahasi Sayadaw
The path to liberation is through understanding the true nature of mind and matter through direct observation.
Mahasi Sayadaw
The more clearly you see the arising and passing of phenomena, the less you will be attached to them.
Mahasi Sayadaw
When you note pain, you should not dwell on the thought, "I feel pain." Simply recognize the presence of pain.
Mahasi Sayadaw
The practice is like peeling an onion. Layer after layer of delusion is removed through continuous mindfulness.
Mahasi Sayadaw
In the moment of pure noting, there is no self - only the knowing and the known.
Mahasi Sayadaw
The practice of vipassana is the study of the self. When you study physical and mental phenomena, you are studying the truth about yourself.
Mahasi Sayadaw
The practice of mindfulness leads naturally to concentration. Concentration leads naturally to wisdom.
Mahasi Sayadaw
Don't expect or desire anything. Just keep noting whatever arises in the present moment.
Mahasi Sayadaw
The development of insight is gradual, but the realization of truth is sudden.
Mahasi Sayadaw
When mindfulness is weak, defilements are strong; when mindfulness is strong, defilements are weak.
Mahasi Sayadaw
The noting mind and the object noted appear to occur as a pair. Through concentration they are seen to arise and vanish together.
Mahasi Sayadaw
The stages of insight unfold naturally when mindfulness is continuous. There is no need to desire them or try to make them happen.
Mahasi Sayadaw
When you note effectively, there is no time for defilements to arise. The mind becomes pure through noting.
Mahasi Sayadaw
Equanimity is not indifference. It is the balanced mind that sees things clearly without reaction.
Mahasi Sayadaw