Wisdom Leading The Practice

That which is able to practise is Samādhi (Stability),

That which is practising is Viriya (Effort),

That which happens is Sati (Awareness),

That which knows how to practise skilfully is Paññā (Wisdom),

That which wants to practise is Saddhā (Confidence).

— Sayadaw U Tejaniya, Bangkok 2015

I first heard this quote from Sayadaw U Tejaniya during a retreat in 2015. At the time, I remember thinking that the roles of stability (Samādhi) and awareness (Sati) seemed reversed. I had assumed that awareness was what enabled practice, and that stability was the result.

But being new to the path then, I trusted Sayadaw and simply let the teaching settle. I figured there was much more to explore. Ten years on, I see more clearly what he meant.

In the beginning, awareness (Sati) feels central. Each time I could turn inward and observe, there it was—clear, simple awareness. It seemed obvious: awareness is what allows practice to happen. And that made me regard as if awareness leads the practice.

It may not be obvious in the beginning, as we listen to wise pointings, the mind shifts accordingly to how it understands. These form the underlying views to continue observing and exploring. It's the impersonal attitude of the views that brought about the stability (Samādhi). 

Sayadaw often emphasized seeing all experiences as “just nature.” That perspective helped me stop personalizing what arose. Seeing thoughts, feelings, and even confusion as impersonal phenomena reduced reactivity and increased clarity.

And this, I now see, is where Samādhi arises—not from controlling the mind, but from wisdom-based understanding. The stability comes when there's no struggle, when the view is aligned with nature - what is.

Now it makes sense: Samādhi is what enables practice—not by forcing concentration, but through stability born of right understanding. When the mind isn’t tangled in “I” and “mine,” when it sees experiences as conditioned and impersonal, it becomes naturally steady. That steadiness allows practice to unfold smoothly.

This is why, sometimes, even when I was aware, defilements still crept in. Awareness alone isn’t enough if it’s not guided by wisdom. Without wisdom, awareness can still be colored by views, preferences, and judgments.

It takes momentum to recognize wisdom at work. The presence of wise spiritual friends and teachers is invaluable—they help spark those subtle but profound inner shifts.

I’m deeply grateful to both my teachers, Tuck Loon and Lai Fun. Their guidance has been a source of clarity and right information. Listening to them has repeatedly shifted my views, allowing the understanding to unfold more naturally in my life.

I also appreciate WISE for creating platforms where such transformative learning can happen. These spaces matter.

This journey has shown me that cultivating the practice isn’t just something we do—it’s something that grows in us, layer by layer. Wisdom leads, stability supports, and awareness happens. With confidence and effort, the path reveals itself—always inviting us deeper, always humbling us.

Still exploring. Still learning.

In gratitude,
Nancy Cheah
12 August 2025