Spiritual Overload Awareness

The Walk For Peace monks have touched the hearts of many Americans through social media. I was one of those who was drawn into the movement and quietly transformed by it. For that, I hold deep reverence and gratitude toward Venerable Pannakara, who initiated the walk and carried it through to completion with extraordinary determination, endurance, and patience.

It seems that the walk changed not only those who witnessed it, but also many of the monks who participated from different countries, namely Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and France. It feels as though the merit of their sincere efforts continues to unfold in their own lives as well.

Yet there is something I must remind myself of. The greatest distraction is not worldly noise alone. It can also be 'spiritual overload'. There are now many monks to follow, each with his own perspective, books, social media, and way of sharing the Dhamma. There is nothing wrong with this. Each serves according to his conditions, and each seeker naturally finds the teacher whose words resonate most deeply.

I know myself well enough to recognize that trying to follow everyone only scatters my attention. So I make a quiet vow to myself. I will let my path be illuminated by two lamps: Venerable Pannakara and Ajahn Jayasaro.

I will continue to appreciate and rejoice in the work of other monastics, but I do not need to follow every new voice or every new offering. My practice is not about collecting teachers. It is about living the teaching and cultivating my life.

The path is already enough. Now I simply have to follow it without distraction.