Categories: Other Meditation Teachings
May the blessings of the Triple Gem be with you all! Today, we will explore some of the most suitable places for practicing meditation in Sri Lanka, locations where a profound universal energy flows. This guidance is offered to help you deepen your spiritual and meditative life.
Sri Lanka is a truly unique country. The Buddha himself identified it as part of the Madhyama Mandala, or the ‘Middle Land,’ a region spiritually potent and conducive to inner development. Compared to many Western countries, our Eastern lands, and especially Sri Lanka, are exceptionally suited for spiritual advancement.
This is particularly true for practices designed to calm the mind, known as Samatha meditation. While insight meditation, or Vipassana, can be practiced anywhere, Samatha meditation deeply connects with universal energies, sometimes referred to as Kundalini energy.
Therefore, practicing in places where this cosmic energy is naturally present and strong can be incredibly beneficial. Such locations help practitioners establish a direct connection with the universe, accelerating their progress.
Is India also part of the ‘Middle Land’?
Some believe that the Madhyama Mandala refers only to Sri Lanka. However, we believe that since Prince Siddhartha was born in what is now India, this spiritually charged region includes both Sri Lanka and parts of India. While different opinions exist, the uniqueness of this region for spiritual practice is undeniable. It is in this Middle Land that all Buddhas of our fortunate aeon appear. This very fact highlights the special support this land offers for the development of our minds.
Begin Where You Are: The Foundation of Practice
I have often taught that you should begin your meditation practice right where you are. You do not need to retreat to a forest or a remote location to start your spiritual journey. Whether you are at home, at your workplace, or in your boarding room, you can always turn inward.
The most important thing is to prioritize your spiritual development whenever you find a spare moment, without being attached to the idea of a perfect location.
This article is for all of you who are diligently practicing, including the many members of our spiritual community. My hope is to offer support by highlighting these special places. When you get a holiday from work or find a window of free time, you can visit these locations to strengthen your practice and enhance your spiritual energy. This information is shared for your progress.
Ruwanwelisaya: A Hub of Pure Energy
The first sacred place I wish to highlight is the great Ruwanwelisaya stupa in Anuradhapura. This is an ancient and venerable site, built by King Dutugemunu, that has been a center of worship for centuries. The ground here has been touched by the feet of the Buddha himself and countless enlightened beings (Arahants). It is a place where celestial beings, devas and brahmas from this world and others, gather. Most importantly, it is a powerful focal point for universal energy.
For anyone, whether a beginner or a seasoned practitioner. This is an incredibly easy place to calm the mind and achieve concentration. The spiritual ‘frequency‘ here is exceptionally pure. Think of it like phone signals or radio waves; we can’t see them, but we know they exist. Similarly, sacred places like Ruwanwelisaya have a powerful, purifying frequency. The intentions of the millions who have visited here are pure.
There is a strong connection to unseen worlds and pure beings, what some might call extraterrestrials. Because of this purity of thought, any meditation practiced here, be it Samatha or Vipassana, is amplified. This power has been present since the time of the Buddha and was strengthened by Mahinda Arahant and all the enlightened ones who followed.
For this reason, I recommend this sacred place to all, Buddhist and non-Buddhist alike, as a powerful spot to begin or deepen your meditation practice and attain deep states of concentration (Dhyana). While the midday sun can make it difficult to sit, the evenings, nights, and early mornings are ideal. With permission from the caretakers, you may find an opportunity to meditate here in the profound stillness of the night or dawn.
Continuing in Anuradhapura: The Sri Maha Bodhi and Sacred Sites
Whenever you have the time and opportunity, try to visit and make use of the energy at Ruwanwelisaya. If you live nearby, you might even go regularly, but do not turn it into a rigid view or an obligation. Go when it is convenient. The power of this place is immense. Devas and brahmas are known to assist meditating yogis here, appearing as visions of light or unseen presences to guide your spiritual development.
Within the sacred city of Anuradhapura, another profoundly powerful location is the Sri Maha Bodhi, the sacred Bodhi Tree. This site carries the same potent universal energy as Ruwanwelisaya. The thoughts and intentions here are pure, filled with loving-kindness (metta), compassion (karuna), and meritorious volitions.
It is a place touched by the Buddha and countless Arahants, and as the direct descendant of the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment, it holds immense power.
In fact, all of the sacred sites in Sri Lanka, such as the Solosmasthana (the 16 sacred places) and the Atamasthana (the 8 sacred places in Anuradhapura), are ideal for meditation. I will not name each one individually, as you can easily find them online or by asking someone knowledgeable.
Visiting any of these ancient sites, which have been venerated since the time of kings and saints, can greatly support your practice. Go there, perhaps chant some protective verses (pirith) if you know how, undertake the five precepts, and begin your meditation. These places are gateways for universal energy and can help awaken the Kundalini energy within you.
Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak): A Spiritual Ascent
Many people climb Sri Pada for adventure or fun, while others do so with deep faith. But this sacred mountain is also a very potent place for meditation. If you make the long journey to the peak, make it a point to practice meditation, even for just five or ten minutes.
Like the other sacred sites, it is a place to cultivate both calm and insight. A short five-minute session can feel like hours as you tap into the site’s energy, or conversely, two hours might pass feeling like only five minutes. These places were created for spiritual advancement, to shorten our journey through samsara (the cycle of rebirth) and develop the powers of the mind, such as the ‘third eye.‘
This is true for everyone, Buddhist, Muslim, Catholic, or foreigner. The invitation is open to all sincere seekers.
The Serene Power of Forest Monasteries and Local Temples
Next, I would like to point to the forest monasteries (Aranya Senasana) scattered throughout Sri Lanka, often in remote areas. These are also excellent places for meditation. While I have said that you don’t need to live in a forest, visiting one when you have time can be very beneficial.
These grounds are protected by the virtue (sila) of the resident monks and are charged with powerful universal energy. The concentration (samadhi) and wisdom (paññā) of the monks sanctify the space. Many of these monasteries are built on ancient sites where Arahants lived and meditated.
Whether you are Buddhist or not, you can benefit from their profound tranquility. Just be sure to seek permission from the head monk and follow the monastery’s rules.
Furthermore, do not overlook the power of your local village or city temple. The Bodhi tree enclosure (Bodhi Maluwa) in any temple is a special place that soothes the mind. Whenever you face a problem, just sitting near the Bodhi tree can bring immense peace.
These places, including the temple shrine rooms (Vihara), are suitable for meditation because people come here with the intention to purify their minds. This collective purity makes it easier for you to achieve concentration. If you plan to meditate for a while, it is always a good practice to inform the head monk out of respect and to honor the rules of the temple.
Archaeological Sites: Echoes of Ancient Energy
Sri Lanka also has unique archaeological sites that hold a special energy for meditation. Places like Ranmasu Uyana or the area around the famous ‘lovers’ sculpture at Isurumuniya are not just historical artifacts; they are imbued with a spiritual potency.
Those who are sensitive and prioritize their spiritual practice can feel this energy. It may be the lingering spiritual power of ancient kings and practitioners. If you can obtain permission from the Department of Archaeology or the site custodians, these can be powerful places to practice, especially at night or in the early morning. Be sure to respect all regulations to avoid any misunderstandings. This special quality can be found in archaeological sites across Sri Lanka, whether in the North, East, or South.
The Natural Sanctuaries: Meemure, Sigiriya, and Beyond
Beyond religious sites, the natural landscape of Sri Lanka itself is a vessel of immense energy. The central highlands and forest regions are especially potent. A prime example is the area of Meemure and Lakegala. This region, often associated with the historical King Ravana, a figure I believe to be real, despite some skepticism, is exceptionally powerful for meditation and spiritual development.
Many go there for tourism, but even on a recreational trip, take the time to meditate at the base of Lakegala or anywhere in the Meemure region. The area has a history stretching back over 5,000 years, making it a place where merit (punna) ripens and spiritual strength grows. You will feel its power when you practice there.
Another extraordinary site is Sigiriya. While it’s an archaeological treasure, it is also one of the most powerful centers of universal energy in the country. If you can meditate atop Sigiriya rock or on the nearby Pidurangala rock, the experience can be transformative.
The energy is so strong that for some, depending on their past karmic tendencies, it could even trigger the opening of the ‘third eye’ in a single session. I cannot guarantee this, as it depends on the individual, but the support from the environment is immense. If your soul has a connection to the ancient history of this land, you will receive great help.
This assistance is available to any sincere spiritual practitioner, regardless of their background. There is much to say about Sigiriya; it is a place where you can feel the energy flow into your body and mind, greatly accelerating your progress.
Coastal Power Spots and International Sites
The power is not limited to the highlands. Certain coastal areas are also energetically charged. For example, places like Ussangoda are sometimes associated with extraterrestrial activity, and they hold a strong connection to universal energy. The ocean itself is a conduit. These locations can help awaken Kundalini, open the ‘third eye,’ and support various forms of Samatha meditation.
For those of you listening from outside Sri Lanka, remember that India is also part of this sacred Madhyama Mandala. Places like Bodh Gaya, where the Buddha attained enlightenment, are exceptionally powerful. Any place touched by the Buddha or where he spoke the Dhamma, such as where he recited the Ratana Sutta, holds this energy.
Even Lumbini has its own unique power. If you are in India or can travel there, meditating in these places after taking the precepts can be profoundly beneficial for any spiritual path you follow.
What You Might Experience: The Signs of Progress
When you meditate in these potent places (be they religious, archaeological, or natural) you will notice a difference. As someone developing spiritually, you will feel it directly. Your mind will enter concentration much faster. You may feel your chakras activating, a firmness in your spine, or pressure in your head or between your eyebrows. You might feel universal energy flowing through your fingertips.
For those who see spiritual lights, they may become brighter and clearer. For those with an open ‘third eye,’ visions may become more vivid. Those who practice meditative absorptions (Dhyana) may find they can enter them more deeply and stay for longer. These are just a few of the many signs you might experience.
Final Advice: Practice with Wisdom and Balance
These places in Sri Lanka were not created by chance. They are unique expressions of a spiritually rich motherland. Trust in this. Trust in yourself, trust in your country, and trust in the power of nature. For those of you abroad, seek out powerful natural places in your own countries, like mountains or lakes, and practice there. You will feel their energy.
The purpose of sharing this information is to support your journey. However, I must give a final word of caution: do not develop a rigid view (ditthi) that you must go to these places, or that you can only meditate there.
This is very important. Go only when it is convenient and fits with your family and work responsibilities. Use these sites as a support but continue your daily meditation practice at home. These places are tools for your development, not requirements. May you use them wisely to deepen your Samatha and Vipassana practice, shorten your journey through samsara, and realize true liberation.
May the power of the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha bless you. May the blessings and protection of the Triple Gem be with you, helping you in your spiritual practice in these sacred and ancient places.
This concludes our exploration of the most suitable places for meditation in Sri Lanka, where universal energy abounds.
We invite you to walk this path with us. Read our teachings, and most importantly, apply them practically in your own life. as you practice, questions will naturally arise. Please feel free to share your experiences and questions in the comments below, via email or contact form. I will do my best to offer guidance in future talks based on your progress. For now, begin this practice with an open heart and a mind free from expectation. Cultivate it correctly, and may you find the clarity and peace you seek.
Thank you for joining us. We hope this blog will be of great benefit to your spiritual journey.
May you all be well and happy.
May the blessings of the Triple Gem be with you all!
