พระอาจารย์เล่าประสบการณ์ตรงว่าสมาธิที่มีกุศลอยู่เบื้องหลัง (สัมมาสมาธิ) ทำให้เชื่อมกับผู้รู้ภายในซึ่งชี้นำให้ประกอบธุรกิจสำเร็จได้ ต่างจากมิจฉาสมาธิที่มีอกุศลหนุนหลัง ซึ่งนำไปสู่ความล้มเหลว และทุกความสำเร็จล้วนต้องอาศัยการแลกเปลี่ยนด้วยความจริงใจ ไม่มีอะไรได้มาฟรีๆThe Master shares his own experience that concentration backed by wholesomeness (right concentration) connects us to the inner knower who guides us to business success — unlike wrong concentration backed by unwholesomeness, which leads to failure. Every success requires an honest exchange; nothing comes for free.
Someone asked the Master: they don't have much wealth yet, and were advised to sit in meditation, but their heart wants to go out and work hard for money instead. Which path is better? How does affect the ability to attract wealth?
The Master's Own Experience
The Master recalled his youth, leaving home to start a business on his own with no idea where to begin. He went and sat in meditation at Wat Paknam day after day, until one day, after sitting for roughly an hour, he felt as if his "battery were fully charged." An inner voice guided him to meet someone at a particular shop — which became the starting point that let him set up a leather-goods manufacturing operation within just two months. He concluded that this was accessing the background through the power of concentration, which cleared away obstacles and guided him to build a successful business.
Meditate or Go to Work — You Can Do Both
The Master answered that both paths are correct. Going to work earns money, but without enough power of concentration, it's hard to connect with inner knower, leaving us unknowingly guided by or neutral side instead. He advised that you don't need to sit in meditation all day — instead, practice "acknowledging" rather than "thinking" throughout every activity: staying aware while standing, walking, or speaking with others, anchoring the mind consistently to one point. That awareness connects to the inner knower, who then guides what to say or do — unlike ordinary thinking, which leaves an opening for all three natures to compete for control.
The Story of the Pledge Fund: Proof and Exchange
The Master recalled a time when the temple was building a hall, and everyone in the organization was asked to pledge 100,000 baht toward the fund. He pledged his share too — but as a monk, he couldn't solicit donations the way a layperson could. All he could do was sit in meditation to draw in the stream of merit, until it reached "fullness" — something you simply know, the way you know when you're full after eating. Once full, the completed merit itself would draw someone in to cover the rest of the pledge. He stressed this isn't free — it's an exchange: the refined treasure he had accumulated was transferred to the person who covered his pledge. Though unusable in the moment, it carries immense value in the future. He also recounted a friend who once resolved to receive 500 baht for an errand, and received exactly that amount after helping someone with a broken-down car during official duty — another exchange earned through effort, not a free gift.
Right Concentration vs. Wrong Concentration
The Master explained that focused, steady attention backed by wholesomeness is called right concentration — it draws in the stream of merit along with refined treasure and a blueprint for success, leading to and fulfilled wishes. Focused attention backed by unwholesomeness can also sustain itself through the power of concentration, but it's called wrong concentration — it draws in the stream of demerit along with misfortune, and no matter what, leads to failure or ruin in the end. What's indispensable is sincerity in what we do — sincerity is what connects us to the Triple Gem and to Nirvana. Without it, success is very hard to reach.