Yogi: There are many meditation centers teaching different techniques. Which technique is the most effective?

Sayadaw: The best way is to practice all the time; that is the fastest way. It is the truth.

When people say that they have been practicing meditation for 20 years, it means that they came in touch with meditation 20 years ago. They have not been practicing 20 years’ worth of meditation. When we count the hours of meditation, they might not add up to a month of continuous mindfulness.

If you say you have been meditating for 20 years, you must have put in the meditation like you’re on retreat every day for 20 years, being mindful from the time you wake up till the time you fall asleep; then you can say that you have been meditating for 20 years.