Ajahn Achalo, Spiritual Life Autobiography, Part One

Some of my Southeast Asian students requested me to consider writing an autobiography some years ago. At that time, I had to write one in Thai as part of a visa application process, and some of my English-speaking students complained, 'why is there not an English version?' I thought, well, if I was going to write a biography, would it be valuable for myself and for others? And when I was thinking about it, I realized there are some aspects of Buddhist practice which are a little bit difficult to address in a Dharma talk or in a retreat even. But in this more intimate format, you take the hand of somebody and you're bringing them on a journey with you. It then becomes possible to share a different type and depth of experience because it also allows me to take the time to write about subjects by really choosing the words carefully and trying to capture a certain nuance about things.

Reviews

Tremendously helpful and insightful. Thank you so much for sharing this!!! I so appreciate you and your candor.

Fascinating story, well told. I always gain wisdom from Ajahn Achalo. Something here for everyone. Much metta 🙏

Thank you for such an honest sharing of the story of your life! You have been/are lucky to have had so many great teachers. I can only learn from their books, that I find in the beautiful library and bookstore in the Amaravati monastery. Despite the dark English winters, May and June are beautiful in Hertfordshire, (most of the time😅) and I, just like you, originally from a sunnier country, still find a few months to enjoy it here. It’ll be really inspiring if you come visit Amaravati again and give talks to the community of lay people here. Greetings from sunny (today), Hertfordshire. 😁☀️

Thank you so much for sharing your story, I am very much looking forward to the next part! 🙏☺️I have found your talks so helpful over the years, and your very real and honest, yet encouraging and lighthearted presence so grounding. I must say, I periodically forget that you are a twin—because like most twins you don’t just talk about it all the time, you’re a person just like everyone else and you mention it mostly if it comes up—and every time I am reminded it occurs to me that it contributes to my feeling of gratitude of having access to you as a teacher, because I am a twin as well. I feel like the connection twins have with each other is very unique and can play a big role in our spiritual work in that particular lifetime. That we have a certain sensitivity to another being that is deeper than most people. It feels like we have this opportunity for a training ground of sensitivity to others and having a more flexible idea of a sense of self because of that. I have wondered if you feel your experience of being a twin in this lifetime that you have made so much spiritual progress had an impact on your path? If you feel comfortable sharing that, of course. My sister and I are very close and share our experiences often, and even have times of knowing something is going on with the other before sharing about it. I am grateful for her and feel we ended up in this lifetime together for a reason and because we must have known each other a very long time. Pardon my novel, but I did want to express my gratitude to you, and decided to be brave enough to follow my curiosity about this particular question. Thank you very much again!