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.
The object of meditation and the mind which knows it must be noted as they occur. If they are not noted, desire arises and disturbs concentration.
Mahasi Sayadaw
Don't expect or desire anything. Just keep noting whatever arises in the present moment.
Mahasi Sayadaw
Each moment of clear seeing is a moment of freedom from the illusion of permanence, satisfaction, and self.
Mahasi Sayadaw
The moment you note a thought, it disappears. The noting mind keeps the hindrances away.
Mahasi Sayadaw
When you understand that all phenomena are impermanent, unsatisfactory, and non-self, attachment naturally falls away.
Mahasi Sayadaw
Through continuous mindfulness practice, the true nature of physical and mental phenomena becomes clear.
Mahasi Sayadaw
When you note effectively, there is no time for defilements to arise. The mind becomes pure through noting.
Mahasi Sayadaw
The practice of mindfulness leads naturally to concentration. Concentration leads naturally to wisdom.
Mahasi Sayadaw
When mindfulness becomes continuous, the distinction between the observer and the observed begins to break down.
Mahasi Sayadaw
The practice is like peeling an onion. Layer after layer of delusion is removed through continuous mindfulness.
Mahasi Sayadaw
When you note pain, you are not trying to make it go away. You are trying to understand its true nature.
Mahasi Sayadaw
Just observe whatever arises. Don't try to create anything, and don't reject anything.
Mahasi Sayadaw
Impermanence, suffering, and non-self are not philosophical concepts but realities to be directly perceived through mindfulness practice.
Mahasi Sayadaw
The rising and falling of the abdomen is not the main object. The main object is to develop mindfulness, concentration, and insight.
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
When you note pain, you should not dwell on the thought, "I feel pain." Simply recognize the presence of pain.
Mahasi Sayadaw
The practice of mindfulness is simple: whatever you experience, you observe and note it.
Mahasi Sayadaw
Insight knowledge comes from direct experience, not from intellectual understanding.
Mahasi Sayadaw
Every moment of mindfulness is a step on the path to liberation. Each step is valuable, no matter how small.
Mahasi Sayadaw
The practice is not about achieving special states but about seeing ordinary experience with extraordinary clarity.
Mahasi Sayadaw