Ajahn Achalo who hit 3000 hours of meditation was here in Singapore. I was inspired by him and also started to count the hours of meditation, hoping to reach 3000 hours as well. Unless I live a long life, otherwise, I think I wouldn’t be able to hit 3000 hours. I attended his talk last Sunday at Palelai Temple. The sound system wasn’t good and I can hardly hear him speak. It’s good to meet the person whom inspire me. I hope I have a chance to listen to his teachings in Singapore again.
After completing another 130 hours of meditation, meditating isn’t such a hurry. Sitting without expectation, with nowhere to go and nothing to grasp on. It is the calm mind that makes one continue to strive. It doesn’t matter where I arrive in my meditation as long as the mind is peaceful and nature would do its job. Stabilising the calm mind is all I need – the longer the better. The mind has to be trained to be calm quickly and naturally whenever I sit. To be able to bring the mind to the present in whatever I do. Be able to abandon unwholesome thought quickly and always remain calm. That’s the training of the mind. That’s the purpose of meditation. With such a purpose I’m able to experience and understand the Buddha’s teachings. Teachings from the pali canon, the nikayas.
I remember I heard a lay teacher said that we should get up if we are dozing off when we meditate. Somehow I don’t agree. I carry on sitting. Although dozing off a little, my mind is aware of the drowsiness. But when the drowsiness ceases, my mind was sharp and clear even though that last only for less than a minute. I try to sustain that clarity of mind and am fully aware of the arising and ceasing of this clarity. I guess this is part of the training.
I hope there’ll be improvement when I reach 600 hours of meditation. Even if it means just a little…
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