Episode 31: From the River Bank of Consciousness
“And then there was a particular moment in the meditation where it was almost as if awareness separated out from the rest of the objects of consciousness.” So begins David Sudar on sharing about one of his most powerful meditation experiences, which occurred during one sitting at Shwe Oo Min Monastery in Yangon, under the teachings of Sayadaw U Tejaniya.
We found this episode to be so impactful that we have cross-listed it in two ongoing series. First, the show will appear as the fourth episode in our Dhamma Diaries series, in which we take a single moment where learning took place, explore the implications of that experience, and discuss its deeper meaning and relevance towards the goal of learning about the Burma Dhamma.
We have also made our talk with David the inaugural show in a new series that we’re very excited about, called Traditions. In these episodes, we will be exploring the depth and diversity of Buddhist practice in Myanmar, as told through the stories of experienced students and teachers, and delving into the heart of many traditions. We hope it will provide unprecedented access to the range of teachings available in the Golden Land.
But let’s return to David’s profound experience. In describing it, he then goes on to say:
“My experience beforehand was like I was in this river of the mind. And I was just carried along with it. And then there was this moment where it was almost like I went to the river bank of consciousness, and I just watched this flow of thoughts move through, these reactions and impulses. And what I found so interesting about it is there was this really strong sense of not getting entangled. It was as if awareness, or mindfulness could exist and so could thoughts! Prior to that point, when thoughts happened, generally speaking, they overtook awareness and my awareness would go. So I would either be aware, or I would be thinking, but in this experience, the thoughts still kept flowing through, but they didn't overtake awareness at all. And I actually burst out laughing, sitting on my meditation seat! I think what was so amusing to me was, it was just so crystal clear, the selflessness of phenomena. And I was just like, oh my goodness, this is what I get fooled by, these tingling sensations throughout the body, these piercing sensations, these impulses. And now, it was so obvious that all of that was optional, that wasn't a ‘given’ in my experience, that I would have to get entangled, or identified, or grasp on to things.”
The talk unfolds with David describing this experience in further detail, as well as what conditions led it to arise and how his meditation practice and spiritual awakening unfolded after that moment of insight.
We then go on to discuss a wide range of topics, including the personality and methodology of Sayadaw U Tejaniya, the evolution of mindfulness training across traditions, the role of thinking in formal practice, and the prevalence of the Mahasi technique in Myanmar.
More information about David Sudar’s background and teachings can be found on his website, Path of Sincerity.