Meditation: Times of Progress, Times of Retreat – Do Not Lose Heart!

This dharma talk by Venerable Thich Chan Quang helps us understand why the practice of meditative concentration always has its advances and retreats, and why the arduous path of practice leads to magnificent results.

Have you ever sat in meditation to find your mind as still as autumn water one day, only to have it stirred by waves the next? This feeling of advancing then retreating, retreating then advancing, discourages many. But it is a natural part of the practice. Today, let us listen to Venerable Thich Chan Quang share about the progress and retreat in meditation, and why this path, though demanding, is truly worthwhile.

**Meditation is Like the Stock Market**

The Venerable began with an insightful observation:

When we practice meditation, our effort advances one day and retreats the next, then advances on another day and pulls back again. It is just like the stock market, jumping up and down.

This discourages many people, but the Venerable emphasized: this is completely normal. Even those who have achieved initial results have times of deep concentration and shallow concentration. Only upon attaining the stage of an Arhat (A La Hán) does the mind no longer fluctuate.

**What is Arduous, That Has Value**

The Venerable affirmed:

Is meditation practice arduous? It is very arduous. But remember this: what is arduous has value. If our practice is too easy, it holds no value.

He gave an example: light exercise is something anyone can do, but to become a martial arts master, you must endure stance training, punching sandbags, and cultivating inner energy (khí công). Great results demand corresponding effort. Therefore, when sitting in meditation brings fatigue, aches, and numbness, know that you are on the right path.

**Two Conditions are Needed: The Correct Path and Diligent Effort**

He stressed:

We need two things. First, the correct method, and second, we must practice and train diligently, even if it is arduous. If we practice arduously but the method is wrong, there will be no result. Conversely, if we have the right path but walk it leisurely, we will not arrive anywhere.

So, if you have found a true master and been taught the correct method, do not hesitate. Resolve to walk this path to the very end.

**Those Who Persevere in Silence**

The Venerable shared about an elderly man who for over ten years attended meditation retreats, never saying a word, quietly sitting in the front row. His hair had turned completely white, yet he still practiced. The Venerable did not promise he would attain liberation in this life, but he promised:

If you walk the correct path of your teacher, you will pass away in peace.

For many, that itself is a profoundly peaceful result. The practice of meditative concentration is not for achieving accolades, but so the mind and heart may settle, so that even death becomes gentle.

**Practice is Suffering, but True Suffering**

He spoke directly:

Practice is suffering. Who says herding cattle is suffering? Herding cattle is quite pleasant. But whoever says monastic life is suffering? That person speaks correctly.

The suffering of meditation practice is the suffering of having to battle with oneself. In the past, the mind wandered in random thoughts and we considered it normal. Now, knowing that is wrong, we want to stop but cannot – this is true suffering. Added to this is the physical suffering of sitting meditation: leg pain, aches, and numbness. But it is only through this suffering that transformation becomes possible.

**The Choice of the Wise**

He noted that in Hanoi, meditation retreats are often more attended than Pure Land (Tịnh Độ) retreats, with participants mostly being young intellectuals. This shows that people with wisdom understand:

The difficult path is what leads to a more wondrous, greater result. What is easy usually only leads to a mediocre outcome.

They willingly choose difficulty because they know difficulty holds value.

No matter what stage of practice you are at, do not lose heart easily. The progress and retreat in meditation are like the breathing rhythm of the soul: always fluctuating in order to gradually let go. Persevere with a resolute heart. As the Venerable always reminds, walk the correct path with diligent effort, and the results will come. May this dharma talk bring you faith and inspiration to continue your practice each day.