1351. JUST BE HAPPY THAT YOU’RE AWARE
Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary Retreat Zoom Q&A Group A+B 16 January 2023 (1:12:04-1:13:58)
Yogi: When fear arises, I can be aware of the aversion and disliking attitude towards the fear. How else can I explore?
Sayadaw: You don’t need to explore; you just need to be content that you’re aware.
If you’re happy with yourself that you’re aware, you’ll continue to be aware. Then, when there is a lot of awareness, the mind will learn on its own and exploring will happen by itself.
The things you can be aware of are your feelings, body sensations and thoughts; that’s all you can be aware of.
What can be understood, the mind will do at its own pace. You just need to be happy that you’re aware.
1352. WHEN IT FEELS LIKE MEDITATION STARTS AND MEDITATION ENDS
Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary Retreat Zoom Q&A Group A+B 14 January 2023 (1:28:45-1:32:52)
Yogi: Sitting after a while, there was an intention to end the sit; a thought says ‘Okay, stop meditating now’. Although Teacher says meditation is anytime and anywhere, but it is clear cut for me when meditation starts and when meditation ends.
Sayadaw: Don’t think that something is meditation and something is not meditation.
So long as while you’re not aware, you recognize when awareness comes in, ‘Ah, that’s one moment of awareness’, and if you appreciate that, it’ll grow.
Even when you’re watching TV and you’ve not been aware, suddenly, you recognize a certain feeling, meditation is already happening by itself. Be happy with that.
After that, you’re not aware again; after some time when you become aware again, meditation is happening again; and that is ok.
1353. THE AWARENESS IS MORE CONSISTENT IF WE CAN WATCH UNCLEAR OBJECTS
Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary Retreat Zoom Q&A Groups A+B 14 January 2023 (1:53:35-1:57:40)
Yogi: When I ground myself in the uncertainty, the feeling of uncertainty, very soon the mind turns calm and easeful. I realize that this is the right mindset about the content of my awareness because the awareness has become consistent and effortless.
Previously, I want to be certain that the mind is aware. When I gave up that idea, as long as I know that I know even if it was unclear, the watching became easeful and more consistent.
Sayadaw: You know that the mind has done the right thing every time the consistency of awareness picks up because you have thought and observed in the right way, and you have the right attitude about it.
1354. LIKING PRAISE AND DISLIKING CRITICISM
Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary Retreat Zoom Q&A Group B 12 January 2023 (1:39:10-1:46:50)
Yogi: From young, I like to be praised and dislike being criticized. Now, I know this is wrong attitude. What can I do about it?
Sayadaw: Remember the definition of right attitude? Right attitude is non-greed, non-aversion and non-delusion. So, when you like being acknowledged by others, that’s greed; it is wrong attitude. When you dislike being criticized by others, it is aversion and wrong attitude.
Your wrong attitude comes from wrong view. The center of your universe is you and you are identified with you – that’s wrong view. When you’re identified with yourself, you like it when people say good things about this you and you don’t like it when people say anything bad about this you.
When everything arises from you, identification is present. The more wisdom there is, the less we’re carried away when somebody praises us and we won’t be so upset when we’re criticized.
There is also no need to judge these minds, the mind that likes praise and the mind that dislikes criticism are just unskillful qualities of mind that are manifesting. It is good that we’re recognizing them and if there is judgment, we also want to recognize that.
It’s a constant stepping away from our experience so that we can remember to observe it instead of becoming identified with the experience and judging it.
The ‘I’ is not so involved every time we step away from the experience; there is less identification. Then, more observations can happen and eventually more understanding arises.
1355. OPEN AWARENESS IS THE RESULT, NOT THE PRACTICE
Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary Retreat Zoom Q&A Group A+B 16 January 2023 (1:17:35-1:18:48)
Yogi: I hear that Sayadaw teaches open awareness practice. Is it true?
Sayadaw: Let’s get this straight – I don’t teach open awareness. Other people give that word to what is being taught and have labeled it as such.
I’m saying when the mind gets to the point when there is momentum and there is awareness of awareness, when the mind recognizes the awareness, then it will find that its field of awareness is very open and it is aware of any object that arises.
That’s how I put it, in a full description with preconditions like you have momentum; I don’t teach people to try to be like that.
Yogi: I have the impression that open awareness came from Sayadaw.
Sayadaw: No, it is the label that other people give my practice.
1356. CLARIFYING A WRONG IDEA
Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary Retreat Zoom Q&A Group A+B 16 January 2023 (1:14:31-1:17:25)
Yogi: I understand from a teacher that some of us are born with 2 roots which are sati and samadhi and some with the complete 3 roots – sati, samadhi and panna. Those with 2 roots cannot gain any insight or realization in this life because of the absence of panna.
Sayadaw: The roots are lobha, dosa and moha and alobha, adosa and amoha. Those who are considered 2 roots don’t have the amoha or panna root.
Even yogis with 2 roots can develop nana in this life, only that they cannot be enlightened.
I know of a lady yogi who was a little mentally challenged; she was inspired to practice when she met me, and she practiced a lot and became more peaceful. She could understand that the Dhamma is valuable and that is a kind of panna.
Yogi: It is really reassuring because when I heard it, it got me concerned that perhaps I only have 2 roots.
Sayadaw: No, no. It’s cruel to say that somebody couldn’t develop even some basic understanding in this life.
1357. RESTLESSNESS ARISING FROM DISCONTENT
Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary Retreat Zoom Q&A Group B 12 January 2023 (1:23:58-1:30:53)
Yogi: With restlessness, I cannot be aware at all – I couldn’t figure out except for wanting to do this and that and fidgeting. Everything doesn’t seem right and I couldn’t be aware at all.
The mind refused to do breath or walking practice either. I notice that the restlessness carries energy different from the monkey mind; it drives the intention to do this and that.
It only ceased when the mind got what it wanted, and I was so surprised.
How do I watch restlessness because I see so much resistance?
Sayadaw: You say restlessness but I recognize discontent.
You said that you couldn’t be aware of anything, but in fact, you were aware of everything.
You were only discontent because you couldn’t get want you wanted, which is to be still and know something for an extended period of time. You only deem that to be awareness and meditation.
It is discontent and not restlessness because you said when you got what you wanted the restlessness stopped.
To say that you couldn’t be aware is not true; it is only that you didn’t like that you were aware in a disconnected way.
You were judging the awareness by the continuity of the object that you were observing rather than recognizing that awareness was happening whenever you knew the experience.
Yogi: But the awareness was not clear in that state.
Sayadaw: In fact, you are knowing it very well that the mind is not clear. So, see it as it is.
1358. HOW MUCH CONCENTRATION IS NEEDED TO PRACTICE AWARENESS
Singapore Q&A 4.7.2023 (27:30-27:59)
Yogi: How much concentration do we need to practice?
Sayadaw: If you know the object, that is enough concentration. You cannot know the object if you don’t have the concentration.
Momentary concentration is enough to practice vipassana meditation.
If you know the object, you already have samadhi. If you continue to be aware, this samadhi will increase. You don’t need too much concentration to practice vipassana.
1359. WHAT CAN MOTIVATE OUR MINDS TO PRACTICE AT HOME?
Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary Retreat Zoom Q&A Group A+B 16 January 2023 (0:57:20-1:00:45)
Yogi: I’m inspired by Sayadaw always advocating awareness at home and that Sayadaw’s home practice surpassed retreat practice.
What is Sayadaw’s advice when the mind is not interested in the Dhamma at home where the external worldly pleasures are more entertaining?
Sayadaw: I was practically forced into practicing at home because just like you whenever I left retreat I wasn’t interested in practicing at home. It was only when I was super depressed and took a break to go on retreat with my teacher, that I had some experiences that finally gave me the motivation to make the effort.
I didn’t start off at full speed, just bit by bit.
What helped me was the lack of wrong attitude towards practice – as long as I was practicing, it was enough.
We all need some motivation and sometimes suffering is that motivation.
1360. IS WATCHING THE BODY A SAMATHA PRACTICE?
Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary Retreat Zoom Q&A Group A+B 16 January 2023 (1:24:19-1:27:15)
Yogi: I want to clarify the definition of kayanupassana, observing the body. Is observing the body similar to a samatha practice?
Sayadaw: Yes, they are similar. Actually, kayanupassana are samatha exercises.
The beginning exercises of kayanupassana are all samatha exercises. When you incline your mind towards vipassana, when the mind understands that rupa is also just nature, then even when you’re doing a kayanupassana exercise, it becomes dhammanupassana because of the understanding.
It is not the object which matters; it is how you understand it. So, when you still see it as a concept, yes, it is kayanupassana.
Yogi: Practice based on the concept is a samatha practice, but when the body is seen as reality, then it becomes vipassana. Is that right?
Sayadaw: You don’t want to break up your meditation practice into technical categories like that. Just keep in mind that when you’re practicing samatha your goal is a certain thing and when you practice vipassana your goal is another thing.
1361. PRACTICING OUT OF THE CUSHION IS A DIFFERENT SKILL
Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary Retreat Zoom Q&A Group B 12 January 2023 (2:15:30-2:18:56)
Yogi: The mind could be very stable for 3 hours of sitting and walking, but when I left the hall for half an hour, the mind was totally not mindful even though I reminded myself to be mindful before I left. I only remembered to be aware when I was back in the hall.
What actually happened in between?
Sayadaw: There was the intention to be mindful but no habit.
Some people remember they have the intention to be mindful and that’s the last thing they remember and there is no more awareness until the awareness comes back much later.
It’s the same with eating meditation. Before they start to eat, they remind themselves that they’ll be mindful while eating and the next thing they remember is when they’re full after eating. But they’re totally not mindful while they’re eating.
1362. WHEN NOTHING SEEMS RIGHT
Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary Retreat Zoom Q&A Group B 12 January 2023 (31:47-35:25)
Yogi: Lately, my meditation has not been satisfying. I tried to watch but there was a big aversion. There was aversion in the mind, aversion in the attitude and aversion everywhere.
Usually what I do is stop meditating or just walk and continue to walk. When the mind settles down, I can proceed. Is that okay?
Sayadaw: That’s what you need to do.
Yogi: Sometimes I cannot separate the watching mind and the attitude when both have dosa; and I get totally confused when the mind notices so many things..
Sayadaw: It’s like a principle that if the bad feeling is escalating, stop everything. At that time, the mind is too involved and the right thing is to stop trying.
1363. CHANGING AN OLD HABIT
Singapore Q&A 10.7.2023 (3:00-4:16)
Yogi: When I practice, my habit is to push myself until I break down. I know it’s a habit I really have to change, but I cannot let go.
Sayadaw: There’s no need to let go; just be aware. Every time this habit arises, just recognize that it is happening, and do it repeatedly.
Your responsibility is to be aware of this. Don’t try to change – we’re not trying to create anything.
Every time this habit arises, just try to be aware – that’s enough. After a while, the mind learns and understands something. Because of understanding, then this habit can change.
1364. KEEP ON PRACTICING
Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary Retreat Zoom Q&A Group A+B 16 January 2023 (1:29:42-1:30:55)
Yogi: Sometimes when the mind is overwhelmed and it hears the Dhamma and the information is accepted or when some questions arise which settle the mind, my attitude shifts and it can directly observe happenings in the mind calmly.
I realize that it depends on how skillful the mind is in facing the situation and learning how to deal with it.
Sometimes it is about changing the object and other times it could be the right information, asking the right questions or even letting it be and the mind can change.
Sayadaw: Yes, that’s right. So, it doesn’t matter what you do; all of that is practice.
1365. RIGHT ATTITUDE TOWARDS FEAR
Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary Retreat Zoom Q&A Group A+B 16 January 2023 (1:41:48-1:44:50)
Yogi: I’m always fearful of overlooking something especially when the mind is not alert. That creates fear and doubt about what if I miss something. Because it is constantly present, my mind is always effortful not to be in that state. It is more obvious when I meditate, but it also happens in daily life.
Sayadaw: When you’re afraid, fear destabilizes the mind and you’re more likely to make mistakes when the mind is not stable.
So, it is not necessary to be afraid and it doesn’t help your mission not to miss out on something.
Whenever you notice fear, recognize there is fear and be happy about it. And if you recognize this fear very often, over and over again, eventually the mind will figure out something about the fear, about whether it is helpful or necessary or not for you.
1366. AS THE PRACTICE MATURES
Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary Retreat Zoom Q&A Group B 12 January 2023 (2:11:50-2:12:30)
Yogi: The way I practice being aware now is different from the past. In the past, I would hold on and try to be right.
Now, when aversion happens, the awareness is just to be with the aversion. And even with the wrong attitude, the awareness can be with the wrong attitude instead of trying to be right.
Sayadaw: Good improvement.
1367. MAKE USE OF DEFILEMENTS TO CULTIVATE SATI, SAMADHI AND PANNA
Singapore Q&A 10.7.2023 (0:36-2:52)
Yogi: Whenever I see defilement, I can’t help but want to get rid of it.
Sayadaw: Don’t judge nature. Defilement is not good but it is also nature. We have to understand the nature of defilement.
First, we need to understand that defilement is nobody, it is nature. Craving is just craving, it is nature; anger is also nature. Getting rid of defilement is much later.
Every time defilement arises, you need to remind yourself that this is nature and I want to understand this nature of the defilement.
You need to appreciate the awareness every time defilement comes. Why? We can cultivate sati, samadhi and panna because of the defilement.
You can use this object to cultivate the quality of the awareness. If you think this way, you will not resist the defilement too much.
1368. NOTICE WHEN WE’RE AWARE WITH THE WRONG ATTITUDE
Singapore Q&A 4.7.2023 (13:43-15:33)
Yogi: One morning I was mindfully doing my housework. Not long after, an agitation arose and it lasted the whole day.
Sometimes when I meditate, I do get this agitation too. I stopped and watched this agitation, but it is hard for me to watch it.
Sayadaw: Awareness is not difficult; you can see that this experience is happening.
It is hard means that you cannot get what you want. You want the agitation to go away, right?
It is never hard to be aware because knowing that this is happening and that is happening is very obvious.
Hard means that you want to get rid of the agitation but you cannot get it.
To be aware of the suffering experience is not hard because you already know.
Everybody’s question now is that awareness is the problem. We’re aware, aware, aware, but it is not working. It means that we’re aware with the wrong attitude.
1369. ACKNOWLEDGING THE MIND THAT IS NOT HAPPY
Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary Retreat Zoom Q&A Group A+B 14 January 2023 (1:05:45-1:13:33)
Yogi: I wish to confirm if I’m practicing correctly. I observed the awareness while doing walking and sitting meditation. When I became drowsy during sitting and noticed the body bending forward during the sit, I would straighten up the body.
I then tried to observe what drowsiness was, but couldn’t find out anything. I felt very pleasant when I sat straight up and I could even hear Sayadaw’s recording very clearly.
I felt that I couldn’t really see the mind despite noticing all these happenings, and am not happy with what I have achieved.
Sayadaw: Your mind has a judgment about your progress. Can you continue to keep observing that because that is the first thing you need to work with?
Be happy with yourself for recognizing that your mind is not happy and keep knowing that.
Noticing that you’re unhappy means that you’re knowing your mind. That’s your doorway to recognizing the rest of your mind. Please keep doing that.
Yogi: During my sitting, I feel drowsy but when I sit straight up I know that the defilement is there and I want to watch but I couldn’t see the flavor of the drowsiness. When I sit straight up, the pleasantness is already there. I go back to the mind to try to watch other sensations of the body. Then, I just do not know how already.
Sayadaw: You need to recognize what you’re doing. There are not enough effort and wisdom when we’re drowsy. You can see that in the state of drowsiness, you could not observe defilements – so, you already recognize that the wisdom is not very good when you’re drowsy. And then you sat up straight – that’s increasing your effort and you felt more pleasant and you’re less drowsy, right?
You have to acknowledge the things you’re doing – you can be satisfied with what you’re doing. We need to change this mindset of thinking that what we’re doing is not enough.
1370. WHEN TO SWITCH OBJECTS
Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary Retreat Zoom Q&A Group A+B 16 January 2023 (1:28:37-1:29:37)
Yogi: Whenever the mind touches the object and it overwhelms the mind, it means that it is not the right time to observe the object. Is that correct?
Sayadaw: If the mind is overwhelmed, yes, at that time you cannot face it directly. Do something to help the mind, to calm it down by using a different object or go for a walk. When the mind feels more grounded and stable, then you can allow the mind to explore.
Sometimes, it might even find things out by itself.
1371. HOME PRACTICE IS DIFFERENT FROM RETREAT
Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary Retreat Zoom Q&A Concluding Talk 17 January 2023 (07:50-17:34)
We come on retreat to fine-tune the skills of being aware, but the real place to put these skills into action is at home.
When we try to practice at home, we’ll realize that the amount of awareness does not match the kind of unwholesome qualities that arise in the mind. We’ll feel disappointed or we’ll feel like we can’t practice at home.
On retreat, we can feel like meditation is working because we only face a restricted amount of unwholesome qualities. But when we get home, we can’t handle it because the defilements are coming faster than we can manage. We also feel like our practice is not enough.
One of the differences is that on retreat our mind is fully geared to practice meditation – it is like what we’ve come to do. But when we go home, it is no longer our first priority anymore.
On retreat, we keep reminding ourselves that everything is nature. Our business is just to meditate, but at home, everything suddenly becomes ours and then the defilements can come on strong because we’re identified with them.
It is easier to have right view on retreat, but at home, it is easier to have wrong view because identification is our view our entire lives and it comes automatically.
I’m not telling you to reject it, but to notice that identification is coming in strong and that is getting into the way of remembering to practice because we want to set things right rather than be mindful of what is in the mind.
Expect that practice at home is not going to be easy – expect that and be okay with it. Just practice without thinking what it should look like because the awareness is not going to be consistent at home. Just think about following the instructions ‘I’ll try to be aware and if I’m aware a bit, it is good enough’.
1372. THE RIGHT APPROACH TO HOME PRACTICE
Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary Retreat Zoom Q&A Group A+B 14 January 2023 (32:30-39:06)
Yogi: I need to find a way to balance my own life and meditation so that I can enjoy sensual pleasures as well as meditate.
Sayadaw: I don’t say that you can’t have sensual pleasure or do your work. Meditation doesn’t tell you not to do that.
Don’t try too hard to meditate; the key is just to recognize when you’re aware and to always appreciate yourself for having done that even if it’s one moment – e.g. you’re working on your computer and all of a sudden you recognize yourself.
Pat yourself on the back for recognizing that you’re aware; and the more you recognize little bits like that, the more awareness will show up.
The key is to be happy that you have done a little bit. It is the same with recognizing sensual pleasures.
That’s how you inject meditation into your life. It is not like meditation is a separate activity and sensual pleasures and work are a separate activity.
Because meditation is just being aware, you can be aware of your work or sensual pleasures without trying.
When you recognize and appreciate the awareness, it will help you to grow the awareness because you’re happy enough with it whenever it is there.
When you try to practice in daily life, you’re not trying to overcome all the defilements because we also cannot, don’t even have that idea. Your only goal is to be aware, it’s like if you’re aware, you’re happy.
Even if your awareness is scattered moments in the day – you recognize a bit here and a bit there and you’re happy, the mind will put all these moments for us and we’ll begin to understand some of our defilements more.
There will be times when we are carried away into whatever, and that’s okay because we’ve been doing that all our life. It is not a loss, but every time we recognize it a bit, that’s a gain. It doesn’t matter if we understand anything yet, that’s fine; we’re aware and that’s the way we want to go.
It is like we’re allowing the defilements to co-exist with us – we’re not pushing them away. We also do not purposely go and sink ourselves into it. Of course, there’re times we get swept away; that’s okay.
1373. A SIMPLE CLUE TO THE AWARENESS OF AWARENESS
Singapore Q&A 10.7.2023 (47:50-48:45)
Do you recognize the object and the awareness?
If so, it means that you know the awareness already.
If you can see 2 objects, it means there are 3 because there is always a witness.
The beginner only knows one, the object. He doesn’t know the awareness.
But if you see the object and the awareness, it means that you are aware of the awareness already.
The witness is the awareness; so, if you see two, it means there are three.
1374. WE NEED TO HAVE RIGHT VIEW BEFORE WE WATCH THE DEFILEMENTS
Vietnamese Retreat Day 3 -230910 (46:50-47:40)
If the dhamma mind is ready, dhamma is everywhere. However, in the beginning, kilesas are everywhere.
That is why we need to be able to practice using kilesas as the meditation object. They can help us grow in wisdom – we use the kilesas to help us grow the wisdom if we know how to practice.
1375. HAVING THE DHAMMA IN OUR LIVES
Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary Retreat Zoom Q&A Concluding Talk 17 Jan 2023 (39:00-39:25)
Peace of mind is about how the mind orientates itself; it is about how we see the Dhamma in the nature of things. That is why we need the Dhamma in our lives.
1376. A HOME-LIFE PRACTICE
Singapore Q&A 14.7.2023 (03:14-04:14)
Just recognize the intention and action together throughout the day; that is enough. Then, you already recognize the process. If you’re aware of the intention and action, then you will know that there is nobody there.
You can see the intention and action process the whole day – and if you’re more aware of this, you’ll understand anatta, i.e., there’s nobody there.
For example, when there is the intention to look, we look; and when there is the intention to move, the hand moves. All actions come from intention.
1377. HOME PRACTICE IS REAL
Singapore Q&A 4.7.2023 (42:12-42:30)
I’m more interested in daily life practice. In the center, there is not much suffering.
1378. WHEN WE ASK ‘WHY’, WE WANT TO SEE MORE OF THE PROCESS
Singapore Q&A 10.7.2023 (1:05:40-1:06:21)
Yogi: If we keep asking ‘Why, why, why’, won’t we get into thinking and not being aware?
Sayadaw: When we ask ‘Why’, we want to see more of the process, and not think more, just like a detective who asks ‘Why’ and then observes carefully.
We try to be aware of the experience and not think all the time.
1379. CHECK THE OBJECT AND THE KNOWING MIND
Singapore Q&A 7.7.2023 (2:19-4:50)
Sayadaw: Sometimes we check if the awareness is present; then, we check again if we have realized something. Basically, you need to know what the object is and what the mind is.
Tell me what you’re aware of in the 30-minute sit.
Yogi: I know my breath and then the sound of the door and then the breath again. Then I go to thinking.
Sayadaw: Only aware? At that time, do you know what the object is and what is the awareness?
Yogi: Sometimes yes and sometimes no.
1380. WATCHING THE BODY OR THE MIND?
Singapore Q&A 14.7.2023 (01:16-02:20)
Sayadaw: What object are you more aware of? Body or mind?
Yogi: Body.
Sayadaw: Why?
Yogi: I prefer the body.
Sayadaw: But the mind is more important.
Yogi: I know.
Sayadaw: If you’re aware of the awareness, you can also know the body.
That is why I remind yogis: What is the mind aware of? This is also attention to the mind.
I also ask: Do you recognize that awareness is present? That is also the mind. That is enough because the body sensation is already with the awareness.
1381. WE DON’T HAVE TO ACCEPT THE RIGHT INFORMATION
Singapore Q&A 4.7.2023 (00:20-03:43)
Yogi: My negative emotions have been growing stronger and stronger over the past few weeks, especially anger. Sometimes the anger is so strong I want to scream and pull my hair and I end up crying.
My teachers always say to be open and to accept it but every time I notice this anger I cannot accept – I’ll run away and suppress it.
Sayadaw: First, you need to think that anger is not yours, anger is anger, and everybody can experience anger. Put in this right view before watching anger.
You do not try to accept; you try to think the right way that anger is nature. And try to be aware of the feeling – the burning sensation – and not follow the storyline. Keep coming back to watching the feeling every time the mind follows the storyline.
Don’t try to accept; it is not necessary to accept. You only need to think that anger is nature. We’re not trying to make the anger go away; we’re trying to know and understand the nature of anger.
Can you do this?
1382. WHEN SOMETHING UPSETS US, COME BACK TO THE MIND
Singapore Q&A 10.7.2023 (22:30-24:02)
The right attitude is holding the idea that the suffering feeling is nature, that there is nobody there.
Because of the right attitude, the watching mind can be equanimous towards a suffering object.
We learn by watching it again and again. So, every time anger arises, we need to watch the anger not from the pain only but from every suffering object – be it a person or situation. Whenever the reaction arises, we try to practice how to watch suffering feeling with equanimity again and again.
We need to practice watching suffering feeling with equanimity and without expecting the feeling to go away.
1383. RIGHT EFFORT, FAITH AND WISDOM GIVE MOMENTUM TO THE PRACTICE
Singapore Q&A 10.7.2023 (1:16:05-1:17:12)
Yogi: Sometimes it is hard to practice; where do I get the strength to continue to practice?
Sayadaw: Strength comes from effort, faith and wisdom. These three qualities make you continue to practice – faith, understanding and effort.
Some yogis have faith-based personality, and they will try to practice very hard, again and again. They practice patiently with the right effort and saddha.
For others, confidence in the practice arises because of understanding. If you know the benefit of the practice, confidence increases, and effort follows.
You need to appreciate how much you have already benefited from the practice.
1384. DEVELOPING THE UNDERSTANDING OF AN OBJECT
Singapore Q&A 10.7.2023 (28:34-31:48)
Yogi: In the real world, there must be good and bad.
Sayadaw: Very quick, the mind already judges everything.
When we watch our feeling reactions and they come down to neutral, this state of mind can be understood as it is.
Whatever happens, the mind already judges; so, we can start by watching our feelings. When the mind settles down, come back to the object – there is a relationship between mind and object. Pain, for example, we watch the feeling first and when the feeling becomes neutral, come back to the pain. The neutral mind then can understand the nature of the pain.
I used to have knee pain – when I went on alms round and was walking, there would be feelings of pain and no pain. I would watch pain and no pain and suddenly I realized that pain and no pain were both objects. I understood the meaning of an object.
Both pain and no pain are known; when this understanding comes, there is no unpleasant feeling when pain comes, and the mind is not happy when there is no pain.
Pain and no pain are only objects; they are the same. Because of this understanding, the mind does not react.
1385. THE MIND BECOMES DULL WATCHING NEUTRAL OBJECTS
Singapore Q&A 10.7.2023 (39:23-40:27)
Yogi: I notice that when there are pleasant and unpleasant objects, the awareness is sharp, but when the object is neutral, the awareness is not sharp.
Sayadaw: Normally when the object is neutral the mind is not stimulated to watch it; only wisdom can watch neutral objects.
Pleasant and unpleasant objects are more obvious – they can easily stimulate the mind. That is why the mind is not sleepy when watching these objects.
With neutral objects, the mind gradually falls asleep. That is why the mind must have more wisdom – when understanding comes, this is object and this is awareness, the yogi knows very clearly, and the mind wakes up.
If there is no understanding, the mind becomes sleepy.
1386. THE FUNCTION OF THE OBJECT IS TO SUPPORT THE AWARENESS
Singapore Q&A 4.7.2023 (28:40-29:31)
Yogi: Do we go back to the same object or can we move from object to object?
Sayadaw: It doesn’t matter if you use the same object or many objects; the important thing is to have consistent awareness with the right attitude.
You can use one object or many objects – whichever is more suitable depends on your personality. You can adjust for yourself.
1387. PRACTICE TO REDUCE SUFFERING, NOT TO GAIN HAPPINESS
Singapore Q&A 10.7.2023 (1:20:18-1:21:00)
I like daily life practice because we suffer in our daily life and with practice, we experience less suffering.
I don’t want to tell yogis that if they practice, they’ll be happy; I don’t want to say happiness because people like happiness.
If I say happiness, they’ll get attached to happiness; so, I say less suffering. It is different from happiness.
1388. SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS OF NAMA-RUPA
Singapore Q&A 10.7.2023 (32:05-34:50)
Sayadaw: There are the three universal characteristics of nama-rupa (samanna-lakkhana) – anicca, dukkha, anatta – and there are the specific characteristics (sabhava-lakkhana).
For example, fire element has its own characteristic – burning. The first step is to understand that every paramatta or nama-rupa process has its own characteristic. Later, we can understand the 3 universal characteristics of all nama-rupa.
But many yogis forget about the specific nature of processes, they don’t want to understand this. They just want to find out about the universal characteristics.
First, we need to understand the specific characteristics before we can understand anicca, dukkha and anatta.
The 4 elements have their own characteristics and we need to understand them, one by one.
Yogi: Sayadaw, what are the specific characteristics that we need to understand?
Sayadaw: Everything; like now you are watching the mind and the object. Knowing and being known, these are the specific characteristics of awareness and object.
1389. WHEN I CHOOSE THE OBJECT VS WHEN THE MIND CHOOSES THE OBJECT
Singapore Q&A 14.7.2023 (08:23-9:35)
The beginner starts by choosing this object and that object. If you choose the object, the idea of self is already there.
When the mind naturally knows an object, the mind has already chosen the object – so, this object does not belong to you and there is no idea of self.
For example, if you choose to be aware of your breath and the mind then knows the pain, which one is yours? Breath is your choice and pain is not your choice. Breath is personal and the idea of self is there. Pain is not personal; naturally, the mind knows it. You didn’t choose it, so, it is more obvious that it is not personal.
1390. KNOWING AND THINKING ARE DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS
Singapore Q&A 4.7.2023 (24:28-24:56)
Yogi: Sometimes, I think I’m aware, but I’m not sure.
Sayadaw: If you think, it means that you do not know, right? Thinking and knowing are different. If we think, it means that we don’t know.
Now, we try to know if awareness is present or not, checking if awareness is there or not. That is why I ask you: What is the mind aware of?
1391. DEFILEMENT PAYS ATTENTION TO CONCEPT; WISDOM PAYS ATTENTION TO NATURE
Singapore Q&A 4.7.2023 (05:40-06:58)
Yogi: When anger arises, I also see the thoughts and the storyline. I’ve been seeing the same thing with the same triggers for more than 2 years, usually about the same person.
Sayadaw: It means that the mind has not learned yet although you can be aware.
There is nature and the storyline – feeling is nature. Feeling has no concept, it is only intensity, strong, weak, strong, weak, that’s it.
The storyline is the problem – who, where, or what. Concept is defilement object while nature is wisdom object. Choose what you want to do.
Now, you understand that if you pay attention to the concept, defilement will arise. If you pay attention to nature, the mind will calm down.
So, which way do you want to go?
1392. WATCH REACTIONS VIA PLEASANT AND UNPLEASANT FEELINGS
Singapore Q&A 10.7.2023 (28:38-30:32)
The mind is quick to judge because of pleasant and unpleasant sensations. We should watch the pleasant and unpleasant sensations until they become neutral, then only we think.
We can think neutrally only when the mind doesn’t react to the sensations. The neutral state of mind can understand the meaning of ‘as it is’. That is why we watch the feeling until the pleasant or unpleasant feeling becomes neutral. That neutral mind can understand ‘as it is’. There is a relationship between mind and object – the state of mind can see its related kind of object.
We can watch our feelings continually because the mind judges all the time. Like when watching pain, we watch the unpleasant feeling until it becomes neutral; at that time the mind can understand the nature of the pain.
1393. YOGIS ARE AWARE OF THE OBJECT, NOT THINK OF THE PAIN
Singapore Q&A 14.7.2023 (22:45-24:14)
Yogi: When the physical pain is not intense, I can still watch it in a detached way. But what about cancer patients who are in great pain?
Sayadaw: For yogis, the mind can be peaceful when pain arises if there is some understanding or realization.
We don’t think about cancer but know that experience is an object. Understanding of the object is not thinking about the cancer.
Pain is the object when there is an understanding of the object and the knowing mind. When you’re aware of nature, there is nothing to be upset about.
The mind does not react because of wisdom.
1394. THE APPROACH TO WATCHING PAIN
Vietnamese Retreat at Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya 11 September 2023 (5:48-7:13)
Yogi: When the pain arises, the object is very clear. Why then do we watch aversion instead of the pain?
Sayadaw: When the pain arises, there is anger. For the normal yogi, when the pain arises, the mind reacts to the pain with aversion.
If the mind watches the pain with anger, then we’re not meditating because the pain will increase; for example, if we’re angry with someone and we pay attention to them, then the mind will get angrier and angrier.
This is the same principle. That is why if we want to know the nature of the pain, we need to watch it with equanimity by taking care of the anger first.
1395. THINKING ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE OR BEING AWARE
Singapore Q&A 14.7.2023 (26:10-27:05)
Yogi: During a retreat, if I experience something that I have never had before and it is hard to name the experience, what should I do?
Sayadaw: If you don’t know how to name it, it is okay to call it an object or something being known.
Sometimes, it is hard to express because the experience is something new.
Even if we cannot think of a name, we can still understand that it’s an object; then, the mind won’t be agitated and go into thinking.
1396. UNDERSTANDING WHY NOT TO JUDGE THE OBJECT AS GOOD OR BAD
Singapore Q&A 10.7.2023 (25:08-34:55)
It is better not to judge the object as good or bad because if you think that it’s good, the mind gets attached, and if you think that it’s bad, the mind resists.
How not to think that it is good or bad? It is when the mind understands the meaning of an object. The meaning of object is something that is being known by the mind – it means it is not good or bad and when there is this understanding, the mind becomes equanimous to the experience.
Knowing is the mind and being known is the object. Do you understand this when you practice?
1397. THE PAUSE BETWEEN THE IN-BREATH AND OUT-BREATH IS ALSO AN OBJECT
Singapore Q&A 14.7.2023 (10:04-11:56)
Yogi: When I breathe in and out, there’s a pause in between the two. And, in the gap, the mind will look for another object or wander off.
Sayadaw: You can be aware of the gap because it is also an object. The mind can know it because the meaning of an object is being known.
If you can understand that the gap is an object, the mind cannot wander off – the object and the awareness are there.
Because you think that the gap is not an object, you try to look for something else.
1398. HAPPY BECAUSE OF KNOWING EVEN IF THE EXPERIENCE IS PAINFUL
Singapore Q&A 14.7.2023 (21:00-21:44)
Yogi: I’m happy when I see pain because I see it rather than be angry there’s pain in the body. Pain is natural; when there is a body, pain is bound to arise.
Sayadaw: Why are you happy when pain arises?
Yogi: Because I see it.
Sayadaw: Because of knowing, you’re happy. You’re happy because of knowing, not because of the object.
1399. LEARN HOW TO WATCH SO THAT UNDERSTANDING CAN ARISE
Singapore Q&A 10.7.2023 (1:07:38-1:09:40)
Yogi: How can we understand the cause of our greed, anger, and delusion through meditation?
Sayadaw: Because your mind is suffering when you practice with craving, your mind cannot be peaceful; you use a lot of energy to focus and the mind becomes tense, right? The effect of defilement nature is suffering. You can know your feelings and mental state.
You watch every time craving and aversion arise – again, again, and again until understanding comes. That’s all.
You learn from your own experience this way.
Yogi: Many yogis observe, but still they don’t have the wisdom.
Sayadaw: Wisdom cannot come immediately. They need to learn how to watch so that understanding can come. That’s the difficult part. I cannot give you this wisdom.
I can only share some experience; that’s all I can do.
1400. DON’T MERELY TRY TO MAKE THE MIND ACCEPT AND LET GO
Singapore Q&A 4.7.2023 (01:00-02:25)
Yogi: I have a lot of anger and was told to accept it and let go. But I cannot; how do I change my view about anger to accept and let go?
Sayadaw: First, you need to think that anger is not yours; anger is anger, and anger is nobody’s anger. This is the first attitude when watching anger.
We’re not trying to accept; we’re trying to think the right way about anger – anger is nature. That’s enough.
Secondly, we try to be aware of this feeling, not the storyline, just the feeling, understand?