The Essential Practice, Part I Dhamma Discourses of Ven. Webu Sayadaw WH375-6

it. But what can we know for ourselves? We can know mind and matter simultaneously. And what will we get from this awareness? We will be able to understand the characteristic of their behavior. We needn’t do anything special. Just practice as you are practicing now. Keep your attention focused on the spot and as you gain the ability to keep your attention with the awareness of breathing and the spot, mind and matter will talk to you." (p. 34) "Sayadaw: If you live a life of laziness and sloth, will you become happy? Disciple: No, sir. I shall continue going round in the cycle of birth and death, sir. Sayadaw: 'I have never before, in the whole cycle of birth and death, had stiff and aching limbs because of meditation. It is good if I experience these troubles now.' Thus should you look at your pains. Even though your limbs ache, do not give up. Know that wise people of the past have walked on the same path. "You have to work. If you only talk about putting forth effort, you will not attain anything. Only if you meditate can you come to understand. Now you are probably thinking: 'We want to meditate, but this venerable monk is talking for a long time.' So now focus your mind as the Buddha taught and meditate with firm effort and with perseverance." (p.46) The Ven. Webu Sayadaw and Sayagyi U Ba Khin had close Dhamma ties. The Sayadaw was the person who first exhorted Sayagyi to teach meditation (see Sayagyi U Ba Khin Journal by Vipassana Research Institute, p. 89, "Venerable Webu Sayadaw and Sayagyi U Ba Khin").