‘The more I seclude from the Self, the calmer and wiser I would become’.

Since taking monkhood (Pabbajjā) in 2009, this has been the first ever ‘Self-Seclusion’, wherein I observed for my own sake; herein lies in respect of the Rains Retreat (Vassa) 2024. In fact, following in the footsteps of the Great Master Bhante G (Gunaratana) of West Virginia, I found that this one-month self-retreat (21 Jul - 21 Aug) was immensely impactful on my own learning, practising, and understanding of the Dhamma. By all means - this personal retreat helped me like a handrail to escalate concentration (Samādhi) towards insight (Paññā); it thereby alleviated craggy, foggy, and misty surroundings in mind, whilst yearning for soteriological goals par excellence.

In effect, I realised that the more we can withdraw ourselves from the so-called Self or ego, we would become more calmer, serene, and wiser at every moment in life. To do so, it is incumbent upon us to take a rest and make a pause to this hectic life; it is itself neither frantic, nor is it fast and furious - alas and alack, we have made it up to such. You may wonder about things that you can see whenever you slow down in life. Indeed, it would not turn out to be a drawback, albeit a moment of joy and peace. During vacation, although people are keen to visit all around the world, no one tends to visit their own nature at least once a day - sadly, this has led us to a world filled with suffering, pain, stress, and lamentation in the end. There is no doubt that we can find life at its core whenever we stop for just a moment - it is wonderous!

In all, I would invite you to take a ‘Self-Seclusion’ from this buzzling life - at least once before your death; it will help you come down to Earth, where you will find the true spirit of life; therein lies in the soil of calm and wisdom: ‘The more I seclude from the Self, the calmer and wiser I would become’.

Thank you!

With mettā,

Rev Wadigala Samitharathana

Glorisun Scholar at Oxon

21st Aug 2024