Retreat Conditions in Burma

“It’s one thing to be concentrated, peaceful, and joyful in the sanctity of a silent meditation retreat with vegetarian food, quiet, comfortable, warm water, but think about bringing these teachings into incarceration, torture, rape, displacement, malaria, typhoid, the loss of income.”

What an expression of raw force and utter honesty, revealing a depth of understanding concerning the intersection between Myanmar's monastic culture and the harsh truth of its recent politics and history. What's all the more remarkable is that Alan Clements shared this thought over two years ago, back when Myanmar was still in its so-called "transition period." Far from the growing commercial opportunities that the limited freedom was bringing, Alan instead tapped into his multi-decade history with the country, and touched powerfully upon how these spiritual teachings were able to survive in an environment of fear and oppression for so long.

Among teachers and writers of Burmese meditation, Alan stands out in how he avoids romanticizing or exotifying the practice in a way that is divorced from its actual context. This is a trap that other Westerners have certainly fallen into. Perhaps that is the reason why so many of those whose spiritual lives have been formed in Myanmar have strangely been silent since February 1, 2021-- but not Alan, who just recently wrote an open letter calling on President Biden to immediately explore ways to take out Min Aung Hlaing while supporting the resistance forces.

But back to the quote. Alan touches upon the privileged meditation center conditions that have been provided in the West, which provide for all the amenities and preferences of the yogi. In contrast, he presents the power of the teachings as they appear in Myanmar, and the ardent dedication of practitioners who have had to brave a totalitarian state deprived of basic freedoms, while they weather a broken economy and rampant corruption. And yet, still they practice, seeking liberation from samsara.

Indeed, to really understand Myanmar, one must look into the power and legacy of its meditation traditions. And to really understand the country's spiritual teachings, one must look into the political landscape and wartorn history. As indicated by these words, Alan has done both.