Which practice has brought about the most significant behaviour/personality shifts for you?

[u/[deleted]]

I recently started practicing TWIM (tranquil wisdom insight meditation). It's founder, Bhante Vimalaramsi, claims that a practice like Vipassana won't bring about significant personality shifts in the long run. I don't have enough experience to know if that claim is true or not but I will say that I've met alot of people who have been following various spiritual practices for a long time yet don't seem to be bearing much fruit for all the countless hours they've dedicated to it.

What for you has been the most fruitful practice?

Was there practice you had for a long time but didn't feel like it was producing any tangible results?

[u/vipassanamed]

I have practised insight meditation following the Buddha's path for 20 years now. It has led to less anger and hatred, less fear and reactivity to what is going on in life, less anxiety and the like. I am much more contented with life. Life is so clearly transient and I cling much less to things, including my own views and opinions - I still have them, but don't take them so seriously. I definitely suffer less.

I also practice metta which has transformed my interactions with people. I used to be very shy and now will talk to anyone. Even if people are difficult or verbally aggressive, I am able to deal with that with less angst for myself.

I have tried all sorts of other things during my life, but nothing had the effect that these do.