ual selves, without changes or improvements to inspire self-esteem
or admiration from others. Habitual tendencies are an extremely
important issue for every one of us. Their roots are buried deep
inside. If we don’t really apply ourselves conscientiously, observ-
ing and questioning everything, then these roots are terribly dif-
ficult to pull out.ÃCARIYA MUN DEPARTED from Ban Nong Khon with his mother at
the beginning of the dry season. They stayed one or two nights at
each village until they arrived at his home village, where Ãcariya
Mun resided for a time. He instructed his mother and the villag-
ers until they all felt reassured. Then he took leave of his family
to go wandering in the direction of the Central Plains region.
He traveled leisurely, in the style of a dhutanga monk: he
was in no particular hurry. If he came upon a village or a place
with an adequate supply of water, he hung up his umbrella-tent
and peacefully practiced, continuing his journey only when
he regained strength of body and mind. Back then, everyone
traveled by foot, since there were no cars. Still, he said that he
wasn’t pressed for time; that his main purpose was the practice
of meditation. Wandering all day on foot was the same as walking
meditation for the same duration of time. Leaving his disciples
behind to walk alone to Bangkok was like a lead elephant with-
drawing from its herd to search alone for food in the forest. He
experienced a sense of physical and mental relief, as though he
had removed a vexatious thorn from his chest that had severely
oppressed him for a long time. Light in body and light in heart,
he walked through broad, sectioned paddy fields, absorbed in