incredibly amazing. Forgoing sleep, he continued striving in his
practice until dawn. Instead of feeling tired after a night of exer-
tion, his body was more energetic than ever.
He had passed a night full of many amazing experiences:
He witnessed Dhamma’s powerful ability to tame an unruly spirit,
transforming arrogance into faith; his citta remained in a serenely
calm state for many hours, savoring that wonderful sense of happi-
ness; a chronic illness was completely cured, his digestion return-
ing to normal; he was satisfied that his mind had acquired a solid
spiritual basis – one he could trust, thus dispelling many of his
lingering doubts; he realized many unusual insights he had never
before attained, both those that removed defilements and those
that enhanced the special understanding which formed an intrin-
sic part of his character.
During the months that followed, his meditation practice
progressed smoothly, accompanied always by indescribable peace
and tranquillity. With his health back to normal, physical dis-
comforts no longer troubled him. Sometimes, late at night, he
met with gatherings of terrestrial devas who came from various
places to visit him. Devas from the surrounding area had all heard
of Ãcariya Mun, for the mysterious deva who had engaged him in
a war of words was now announcing his presence to others, and
escorting groups of them to meet him. On nights when no visi-
tors came, he enjoyed himself practicing meditation.
ONE AFTERNOON HE LEFT his meditation seat to sit in the open air
not far from the cave, reflecting on the Dhamma that the Lord
Buddha had so compassionately given to mankind. He felt this