Yogi: I keep falling asleep when I sit meditate, in almost every sitting. I don’t eat heavy meals; probably I don’t know how to watch.
Sayadaw: It’s going to keep happening because you’ve developed the habit of falling asleep during the sit.
Firstly, you must keep the mind awake. You can ask questions – e.g. Am I still aware?
You can also sit up straighter, put something on your head so that you wake up when it falls off, and keep your eyes open.
Talk to yourself; actively use your thinking to keep you awake. You can name what you’re aware of: I’m aware of this now and I’m aware of that now.
If after 10 minutes you still keep on falling asleep, get up and walk. Just don’t keep allowing the mind to sleep when you sit.
Secondly, it helps if you make your mindfulness in daily activities more continuous. Again, if you lose your mindfulness often in daily life, name your awareness – I’m aware of walking now, I’m aware of heat now, I’m aware of touching sensation now.