401.BUILDING THE MOMENTUM OF AWARENESS TO FACE DIFFICULT SITUATIONS
Singapore Q&A 15 March 2019 Part A (6:38-7:15)
Awareness needs to be strong; otherwise, the mind cannot be calm. You need to build up your strength all the time. Only then, the mind can be ready when you meet a difficult situation.
Practice moment to moment. If you want to grow your quality of mind, it is important to build up the momentum of awareness.
Moment to moment, try to build up your strength all the time – then only are you ready when some difficult situation arises; otherwise, it’s very difficult.
402. THINKING ABOUT ANICCA, DUKKHA, ANATTA DOESN’T HELP
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya 2018 Vassa Q&A File: 02 – Monks 0825018 (33:35-35:36)
Yogi: When a defilement becomes very strong, will thinking about anicca, dukkha and anatta help?
Sayadaw: No. You already know the meaning of anicca, dukkha and anatta, right? So, no need.
When you see changing and the mind understands, let the mind say it. You don’t have to think about it.
Even when you can see the object change or disappear, just recognize that it has disappeared. That’s enough.
Don’t say ‘Ah, it’s impermanent!’ If the mind really understands, it can say by it itself.
You don’t have to contemplate it – just say ‘Disappear, okay, disappear.’
Your duty is to acknowledge that something is happening when something arises, and something has disappeared when something disappears.
When you see this experience many times, if the mind has matured, it can see by itself. This is true understanding.
403. ANATTA IS NOT ONLY ‘NO ME, NO I’ BUT ALSO UNDERSTANDING CAUSE & EFFECT
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya 2018 Vassa Q&A File: 02 – Monks 0825018 (30:19-32:08)
Yogi: When I’m sad, the face is tense; when the sadness goes away, the face becomes soft again.
Sayadaw: Yes, this is because you see the mind conditioning the body – when the mind changes, rupa also changes.
If you see the body and mind happening together many times, it is easier to understand that there is only cause and effect – there’s nobody there.
Anatta is not only ‘no me, no I’, but also understanding cause and effect.
404. YOGIS REGARD DOSA AN ENEMY AND CRAVING A BEST FRIEND
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya 2018 Vassa Q&A File: 02 – Monks 07292018 (48:23-49:44)
Yogis think that dosa is suffering, very obviously suffering, right? Like an enemy.
On the other hand, yogis treat craving like a best friend; it stays with us for a long time like a best friend. We don’t want to kick him out.
That is why yogis want to practice, but they don’t want to meditate all the time. It is because of craving; they want to stay with the craving.
405. WHEN THE MIND TRIES TO CONTROL THE EXPERIENCE, WISDOM CANNOT ARISE
Singapore Q&A 15 March 2019 Part A (2:00-4:57)
If the mind is drowsy, the quality of mind is not good; just recognize that the quality of mind is not good. That’s it.
But if you don’t accept, if you want the mind quality to be better, then the mind becomes more angry about this experience. Because of craving, the mind wants the situation to be very good, very peaceful, very clear; but what actually happens is the opposite.
The mind is changing all the time; it can’t be clear all the time. Our mind is full of defilement; awareness and samadhi is not good all the time.
Can you maintain the awareness all the time? That’s why. When the quality of mind is not good, it means that awareness, samadhi and wisdom are not strong enough.
That’s why drowsiness happens. It’s very clear that it’s cause and effect.
Sometimes when right view arises, the quality of mind will change immediately. But when you don’t have right view, the mind is still drowsy.
If you accept the situation and continue to be aware, awareness becomes stronger and the quality of mind changes.
If you can practice when the mind quality is bad, wisdom can also arise. Don’t complain when the quality of mind is bad; it’s not important, experience is just experience.
If the attitude is right, wisdom can arise.
That’s why the vipassana idea is ‘As it is.’ (Watch neutrally, without interfering.) We try to be aware as it is; we’re not trying to change, not trying to control.
406. HOW TO BEGIN MEDITATING
SBS Retreat 2013 Guided Meditation Part 2 (14:32-16:17)
We’re trying to notice what we think, say or do. In the beginning, we’re trying to know, just know what is happening – this is happening and that is happening.
Even when you blink, know that you’re blinking. Whatever is happening, step back and acknowledge it.
Your duty is to recognize whatever is happening – try to recognize moment by moment (as much as you can). Whatever happens is happening moment by moment.
Experience is always happening – seeing, hearing, body sensations and mental processes – they are always happening. Just try to recognize them.
Something known by the mind (being known) and knowing (object and mind). Be careful of what we’re trying to do – we’re just trying to acknowledge the experience.
Object is nature, and the knowing mind is also nature – there’s nobody there.
407. GETTING TO KNOW THE ELUSIVE MIND
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya 2018 Vassa Q&A File: 02 – Monks 0825018 (23:15-24:49)
Knowing is mind, thinking is mind, feeling is mind, intention is mind. If you know these, you know the mind.
You can also know paying attention; paying attention is the mind. If you know looking and listening, they are also the mind.
You can experience these minds; you need to check for yourself.
You need to remind yourself ‘How do you feel? Are you aware? Are you thinking or aware?’ Slowly, you can be more familiar with the mind.
408. EXTERNAL OBJECTS SEEM LESS CLEAR FROM THE MIND DOOR
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya 2018 Vassa Q&A File: 02 – Monks 0825018 (1:00:44-1:01:01)
Yogi: When objects at the 5 sense doors are observed through the mind (awareness), they become blur, not as clear as observing the objects at the 5 sense doors.
Sayadaw: Because of concepts, the 5 sense doors become clear.
[Yogi’s note: When the mind targets being aware of seeing, seeing happens together with seeing outside things (concepts), for example; but when the mind targets observing the awareness of physical objects, concepts fade.]
Unlike concepts, reality is not very clear.
409. INTENTION IS DIFFERENT FROM THINKING
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya 2018 Vassa Q&A File: 02 – Monks 07292018 (34:10-35:30)
Yogi: Is intention a kind of thinking?
Sayadaw: No. Thinking is thinking; intention is intention. Intention is the mental energy that wants to make something happen.
When there is intention, thinking also arises – thinking comes together with intention, both happen together, but intention is not thinking.
410. DON’T BELIEVE YOU CANNOT MEDITATE IF THERE’S MUCH THINKING
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya 2018 Vassa Q&A File: 02 – Monks 07292018 (14:32-17:16)
Yogi: As long as there’s much thinking, it’s hard to practice meditation smoothly.
Sayadaw: This is the samatha practice. We’re not trying to think all the time. We use right thinking and awareness together; not thinking all the time.
Whether we practice samatha or vipassana – whether we concentrate or are aware – the mind has already thought of how to do. The mind cannot do anything if it doesn’t already have an idea how to do.
At the subtle level, a lot of thinking is happening naturally in the mind. You cannot stop the thinking.
Whatever we do, we have an idea – if we have no idea, we cannot do anything. Even when we focus, we have an idea how to focus, the way to concentrate and onto which object. There’s already thinking in the mind.
When you don’t see that the mind is always thinking at the subtle level, you’ll say that it’s hard to practice meditation when there’s much thinking.
If you cannot think, you’re like a zombie.
411. THE EYE DOOR AND THE MIND DOOR
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya 2018 Vassa Q&A File: 02 – Monks 07292018 (06:20-8:11)
Yogi: When we close our eyes, it appears that there’s more thinking.
Sayadaw: When you close your eyes, the mind is freer to think. When we open our eyes, the mind is busy looking, and we think less. But actually thinking is already there.
Another reason is that when we close our eyes, we know the thinking mind better.
When we open our eyes, the mind is also thinking but we’re looking and seeing, and we don’t notice the thinking mind. When we close our eyes, the mind door is more obvious.
When we open our eyes, both mind door and eye door are happening; but when we close our eyes, the mind door is more obvious.
Open our eyes, the mind also thinks – whatever the mind sees, it is thinking about what is seen.
412. WHEN AWARENESS IS NOT ESTABLISHED, ITS STRENGTH FLUCTUATES
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya 2018 Vassa Q&A File: 02 – Monks 07292018 (27:45-28:05)
Yogi: The awareness is weaker when the headache goes away (and the new object is more subtle).
Sayadaw: If your awareness is not strong enough, when the object is obvious the mind is also strong (more energy). If the object is subtle, the mind is also weak (less energy) because the awareness is not strong enough.
If you choose a subtle object, the mind has no energy because awareness is not strong enough. If the object is obvious, then the mind wakes up.
413. WHEN RIGHT ATTITUDE ARISES, AWARENESS FOLLOWS
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya 2018 Vassa Q&A File: 02 – Monks 180902 (40:25-42:00)
Yogi: When any defilement arises, should we have the right attitude by saying it is only nature?
Sayadaw: Yes, when right attitude comes, then awareness follows. Right attitude is wisdom thinking; that’s why we call it right thought.
Because you hear about nature and have the knowledge of right attitude – the way to think – and you apply in your practice many, many times – over time, the mind understands the meaning of nature.
Later, you don’t need to intellectually apply too much right attitude because awareness and wisdom can arise together.
414. THE MIND DOESN’T REACT TO THE EXPERIENCE WHEN RIGHT ATTITUDE IS PRESENT
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya 2018 Vassa Q&A File: 02 – Monks 180902 (04:09-05:32)
Whenever right attitude is present, the mind does not react to the experience.
[Yogi’s note: If the mind reacts to any experience, it means that wrong attitude is present – acknowledge that wrong attitude is present.]
Because of thinking and judging, the mind reacts to the experience. The judging is very fast – we cannot control it.
415. RIGHT ATTITUDE TOWARDS DEFILEMENTS
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya 2018 Vassa – Nun’s Q&A 0905 (36:50-38:40)
Yogi: In our daily life, we should not have liking and disliking because they are defilements.
Sayadaw: It depends on your understanding – when wisdom is present, the mind does not like or dislike. If there is delusion, liking and disliking arise. You cannot stop defilements from happening.
Should or should not, does not refer to stopping defilements. You cannot say liking and disliking shouldn’t arise; should or not means not to follow or resist the defilement.
When defilement comes, we should not allow it to continue. How not to allow defilements from continuing?
We should have awareness and wisdom, and try to meditate; then, the mind cannot intentionally think about (and grow) the defilement.
416. THINKING IS NOT A PROBLEM; IT’S A FUNCTION OF THE MIND
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya 2018 Vassa Q&A English Interviews 20180925 (1:19:35-1:20:56)
Intention and thinking are 2 different functions of the mind. Because we believe intention is me, when we intentionally think, we think that ‘I’m thinking’.
Anytime a mind state comes, thinking is already there. Loving-kindness also has the intention to think – wholesome mind has the intention to think; wisdom also thinks.
Thinking is thinking, but lobha and dosa are different; the motivation is different.
Thinking is a different function of the mind – feeling is another function – just as defilement is another function.
If there’s lobha, then lobha thinking comes. If you’re angry, angry thinking comes. If there’s loving kindness, then loving-kindness thinking comes.Thinking is not a problem; it’s a function of the mind. The defilement that motivates the thinking is the problem.
417. RIGHT THINKING SUPPORTS AWARENESS AND ENERGIZES THE MIND
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya 2018 Vassa Q&A File: 02 – Monks 07292018 (05:17-9:55)
Right thinking helps you to be aware; it supports awareness. Wrong thinking is the opposite.
We need to apply awareness, and apply right thinking to maintain the awareness, not thinking of other things.
Defilement thinking tires the mind, but right thinking doesn’t make the mind tired; it energizes the mind and good energy comes.
[Yogi’s note: For example, when the mind asks ‘Is awareness present?’ – that’s right thinking.]
418. RIGHT VIEW HAS TO BE RECALLED BECAUSE WRONG VIEW IS THE DEFAULT STATE
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya 2018 Vassa Q&A English Interviews 20180925 (1:00:20-1:01:26)The problem is whenever we see the mind, wrong view is already there.
Wrong view is very strong – when we see the mind, we think ‘It’s my mind.’ Because we identify with the mind, every time you notice the depressed or unpleasant mind, we get more depressed.
If you can be aware of your mind state again and again, slowly, you’ll understand that the mind is not personal. The mind is also nature; it has its own cause and effect process.
If you know how to be aware of the mind, then this understanding will come.
That’s why right view is very important when we watch the mind because wrong view is already there.
419. LEARNING HOW TO WATCH AN EXPERIENCE WITH EQUANIMITY
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya 2018 Vassa – Monks and Nuns’ Q&A 1002 (8:53-10:47)
I want to remind yogis a very important point. The ordinary mind normally experiences the object with lobha, dosa and moha.
But now we’re meditating – we try to learn how to watch the experience with equanimity.
For example, when pain comes, disliking comes already; and when peacefulness comes, attachment already comes.
Beginner yogis have this habit – when peacefulness comes, they get attached, and when suffering comes, they resist.
They don’t know, they are not skilful, how to watch pleasant and unpleasant objects with equanimity. They are not skilful yet because there is not enough understanding.
We try to learn – when the experience comes and the mind likes it, watch the liking first. When the liking subsides and the mind is calm again, we go back to the object. Disliking also – when suffering comes, the mind resists. Watch the resistance, and when the resistance subsides, go back to the object.
This is a learning process – much later, yogis become more skilful as they gain more understanding and the wisdom grows. When the watching mind has wisdom, the mind can then watch with equanimity.
Later, when liking and disliking come, the mind does not get attached to the object or resist the object.
This is the first step towards gaining skilfulness in watching any experience.
420. WISDOM LEADS THE MIND TO BE INTERESTED THROUGH QUESTIONING
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya 2018 Vassa – Monks and Nuns’ Q&A 0920 (39:20-42:54)
A question of wisdom is not for getting an answer, but to lead the mind to be interested.
For example, I’m aware of seeing, hearing and smelling. After observing these repeatedly, suddenly a question comes: Can the mind notice seeing and hearing at the same time?
Because I keep on being aware of seeing, hearing and smelling, one at a time, suddenly the mind notices that both seeing and hearing are happening all the time. Then the mind asks: Can you know seeing and hearing at the same time, or one by one?
Sometimes the mind notices them one by one, and other times together. Then another question follows: Why and when? The question arises by itself.
It is important for yogis to be interested in what they are doing, in being aware of the experience.
But how to make the mind interested in the meditation object?
The meditation object is not interesting. How to make touching, or breathing in and breathing out interesting? Hot, cold and body sensation – they are boring. How does the yogi find interest in these meditation objects?
Interest only comes when the mind gets close to the experience repeatedly – slowly the mind understands more about the experience in detail. At that time, interest can arise.
For example: breathing in, breathing out, and touching – how to be interested in these objects?
421. MEDITATION CANNOT IMPROVE WITHOUT RIGHT UNDERSTANDING AND RIGHT ATTITUDE
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya 2018 Vassa – Nun’s Q&A 0905 (44:20-45:23)
Yogi: We talk about what we observe, but if we don’t know exactly how to observe, we cannot get any lesson from the experience?
Sayadaw: Yes, if the watching mind is not skilful, it is difficult for wisdom to arise.
Yogi: So, it means that even after 10 or 20 years of practice, we’ll not progress?
Sayadaw: Yes, if you’re not skilled in watching the mind – if you don’t understand this process – wisdom cannot arise.
Right Attitude (04:47-08:50)
The important thing is not to practice with craving, aversion and delusion, and don’t use too much energy.
Don’t try to get what we want – simply be aware of what is happening. Don’t create anything; don’t resist anything. Just try to be aware of what the mind can know.
Don’t fight with the object; don’t complain about the object.
What is happening in the body and mind is nature – think this way. Don’t judge that the experience is good or bad – just watch it as it is.
The main point of right attitude is to have the view that all physical and mental processes, all experiences are not personal, they are nature.
Very simple instruction is to ‘sit comfortably in any posture and be aware of an obvious object’.
From the time you wake up till you sleep, moment to moment, be aware of whatever you’re doing.
422. NOTICING HOW THE 5 SPIRITUAL QUALITIES OF MIND ARE WORKING
Singapore 15 March 2019 Guided Meditation (2:32-6:01)
The meaning of object is being known. There are only 6 reality objects – sight, sound, smell, taste, body sensation and mind activity.
Simply recognizing these 6 objects is awareness.
Every time we are mindful, it means that the 5 spiritual qualities of mind are working – awareness, stability of mind, effort, faith and wisdom.
We need to understand that every time we are mindful, these 5 qualities are working.
Mindfulness is not only focusing and paying attention but awareness, stability of mind, effort, faith and wisdom working together.
Awareness means that it recognizes the object or mind. Effort means being aware moment to moment to maintain the awareness again and again. Stability of mind is a settled mind arising from right view, right thought, and right attitude. Faith is confidence in the practice, or in what you’re doing, or confidence in yourself.
Wisdom is right view, right thought, right idea; thinking about nature and that there’s nobody there. The nature of wisdom is also seeing the process in detail, seeing the process with interest.
423. BEWARE WHEN TOO HAPPY, THE MIND TENDS TO GET INVOLVED
Singapore Q&A 15 March 2019 Part B (00:19-00:58)
Be careful not to be involved when you’re happy because you can lose awareness and do something wrong
If you’re involved with happiness, then it becomes a habit – likewise, the mind will also be involved when you’re unhappy.
Be careful about being involved with happiness. Just notice that you’re happy and not lose awareness; that’s better.
If you’re too happy, you’ll lose awareness. That’s why some people do bad things when they’re happy.
I have experienced this many times in the past – when I was very happy, I would do something wrong or bad.
424. FEAR AND ANGER ARISE WHEN MEMORIES ARE BELIEVED TO BE REAL
Singapore Q&A 15 March 2019 Part B (02:05-4:11)
We cannot forget our memories, but our reaction to them can change (if there is wisdom).
In the past, we react a lot to our memories; but later, when memories come, we don’t react anymore because we have some understanding about the nature of emotions, or when some understanding is present; otherwise, every memory makes the mind happy or sad.
Memory is just memory – it’s nothing; it cannot make you happy or sad. Memory is just memory; just remembering, that’s all.
If you think and judge that it’s a happy memory, the mind is happy. If the mind judges that it’s good, it’s happy; but if it judges that it’s not good, the mind dislikes.
If you understand as it is: ‘Ah, memory is just memory! Inside the memory is also not me.’, then no emotion comes.
Anger arises because you believe that memory is real. You see, it hasn’t happened yet – only a memory (a thought) and already emotion arises.
For example, if you think about a car accident, how do you feel? Fear already arises, but has anything happened yet? It hasn’t happened, but fear has already arisen.
425. ANGER TOWARDS THE SICKNESS CAUSES THE MIND TO RESIST PAIN
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya 2018 Vassa Q&A File: 02 – Monks 180902 (1:00:57-1:03:32)
Yogi: When I’m sick, what should I observe? I only know that the mind resists something.
Sayadaw: When you’re sick, defilement comes. You need to watch the defilement first. After the defilement is gone, you can then watch the pain, the sickness, as an object.
Before that, take your medicine first. You need to take care of the body with medicine.
Defilement is a mental disease – you need also to take care of the mental disease.
When there’s no anger in the mind, you can then use the sickness as an object.
The mind resists the pain because of anger towards the sickness. This experience is unpleasant because of anger. If there is no defilement, you can see the experience change to something that is not unpleasant.
If there is no anger any more, then the sickness becomes an interesting object.
426. ANY ACTION FROM ANGER IS NOT BENEFICIAL, SO JUST STAY QUIET
Singapore Q&A 15 March 2019 Part B (12:10-13:14)
If the mind notices every time anger arises, then we can change the outcome. In the beginning, we react each time because we’re not aware. Later, we know the mind – mental action, verbal action and physical action – these 3 processes.
If you know the mental actions, then you have a choice – you have the space – then, you can watch and learn.
It is better not to do anything when the mind is angry. When my teacher, Sayadaw Shwe Oo Min didn't like anything he would stay quiet, very quiet. He didn't say or do anything; just keeping quiet.
If you say or do anything, it is already wrong.
427. WHY DOES THE MIND RESIST PAIN?
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya 2018 Vassa Q&A File: 02 – Monks 180902 (1:07:25-1:12:20)
It is because of our idea – we already have the idea that pain is no good throughout our life.
Check for yourself – the whole day long, whenever there is a little pain, we move the body. It has become a habit.
The mind resists pain because we don’t really understand what pain is. Yogis have been watching pain again and again – what have you learned from the pain?
As we grow older and older, the body will experience more aches and pain. If we understand anything about pain, the mind will react less whenever pain arises.
428. SAYADAW RELATES HIS OWN EXPERIENCE WITH NATURAL AWARENESS
China 2018 Retreat File: 20180528 Q&A 4(02:00-03:54)
Let me tell you my experience – every time I talk, the mind already knows what I want to say. The mind has thought about what to talk and how to explain. Awareness already knows the process. If I try to be mindful, the thinking process stops.
In our daily life, without thinking, without planning or ideas, you cannot do anything. Even during eating, the mind already plans what to do and what to eat. Also, without thinking, you cannot talk.
Just know – just know whenever thinking is happening. Later, it becomes a habit that whenever thoughts arise, awareness is also present. You need to practice to this level; then awareness is not lost when the mind is thinking.
When awareness becomes a habit we don’t have to force to be aware – then, experience mind does its job; awareness does its job. At that time, awareness and thinking are happening together.
429. HOW TO LEARN TO WATCH THOUGHTS WITHOUT FORCING
China 2018 Retreat File: 20180528 Q&A 4 (02:00-03:54)
You need lots of practice trying to be aware of thoughts; and also some understanding that thoughts are happening in the mind door.
Every time the mind thinks, just know, just know, and try to know. You need to learn how to be aware when thinking is happening. For example, we try to be aware when we walk. It’s the same with watching thoughts.
Awareness is not forcing to be aware – awareness must be natural. Natural awareness can do this (notice thought and awareness at the same time); if you put in personal effort, it cannot be done.
Because we’re developing natural awareness, we need to continue to be aware in a light way for a long time until it becomes a habit – it starts with trying to be aware whenever the mind thinks. It’ll take months and years of practice.
430. 3 REASONS TO BE INTERESTED IN AWARENESS
China 2018 Retreat File: 20180528 Q&A 4 (6:50-9:05)
For me, I watch the mind all the time because I want to know what makes the mind suffer.
I don’t want to get rid of suffering; I want to understand why the mind suffers. Because of this understanding, you’ll then be free from suffering.
The motivation to observe is wanting to understand. Even if you don’t have this motivation now, slowly the mind will be more interested as it understands the value of the practice.
This one question gets me interested to practice all the time because the mind really wants to know.
Second, try to be aware of your mind state (in the present moment) all the time. What is the mind aware of? What is happening in the mind? If you’re interested in the mind process, the mind will then want to be aware, to watch the process.
Third, you need to understand the value of awareness. Understanding the value of awareness will increase your confidence in being aware.
Check how you feel when awareness is present and when it is absent. If you check repeatedly, slowly the mind will understand the value of awareness. At that time, the confidence in the practice, in the Dhamma, will increase and the practice will become a habit.
431. WHEN YOU’RE LATE IN WATCHING THE MIND, NOTICE THAT TOO
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya Vassa 2018 English Interviews 20180925 (11:39-11:57)
Yogi: When fear arises, the mind jumps into the fear story. It’s only later that the mind observes the fear
Sayadaw: You’re late because the mind pays attention to the outside. (Notice that you’re late.)
In the future, every time you notice that there’s a reaction to any object, watch the reaction first.
When the mind settles down, you can use other objects.
432. WHEN THE MIND FOCUSES ON AN OBJECT, IT NEGLECTS OTHER OBJECTS
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya Vassa 2018 Chinese Interviews 20180920 (1:17:55-1:18:07)
Yogi: The mind is always interested in thinking, not in paying attention to seeing, hearing, smelling and touching.
Sayadaw: When the mind is interested in a particular object, it focuses. The mind lets go of other objects and so is not aware of them.
433. LEARNING HOW THE MIND REACTS WITH EACH SENSE CONTACT
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya Vassa 2018 Chinese Interviews 20180920 (24:50-26:12)
Yogi: Observing body sensations is okay, but the mind is tense when people come.
Sayadaw: Whenever there’s a reaction, the first thing to watch is the feeling. Be aware of the tension first; later, we learn why the mind is tense.
You already have some idea of the people (you’re already thinking about them) when they come. That’s why the mind reacts.
Now you only know the feeling; you don’t know what the mind is thinking yet. Many things have already happened before the reaction; some idea is already there.
What you know now is that when people come, the mind becomes tense.
This is the starting point of being aware – we learn how the mind reacts with each sense contact – seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and touching. We need to know this process first.
434. TO BE AWARE OF PHYSICAL OBJECTS AND AWARE OF THE MIND ARE 2 DIFFERENT NATURES
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya Vassa 2018 English Interviews 20180925 (1:12:15-1:14:09)
In the beginning, the yogis can only know the physical object, but they don’t know the knowing.
For example, if your 2 fingers are touching each other; do you know the touch sensation or the knowing? Knowing is also there, but not as obvious as the touch.
Actually, it is only because of knowing that we can say there is touching. Without knowing, we cannot say that there is touching. But touching is more obvious than knowing because knowing is an activity of the mind.
Later with practice, the yogi can see both the touching and the knowing. Knowing is the mind and being known is the object. The awareness and the object have 2 different natures. When you can notice the 2 different natures, then you can see the activity of the mind.
It is the same with hunger and wanting to eat; they are 2 different natures. Hunger is of the body, but the desire to eat is the mind.
435. AWARENESS OF ONE OBJECT OR MULTIPLE OBJECTS?
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya Vassa 2018 - Monks and Nuns’ Q&A 0920 (1:16:25-1:17:50)
The important thing is the awareness – how to be aware.
At first, we start with one object to establish the awareness, and slowly the mind knows more objects. We don’t stick to being aware of only one object.
If the mind can see many objects, then let the mind know many objects. At first, we use only one object because we’re still not skilful how to be aware. When the awareness improves, it can naturally receive more than one object.
So, you need to allow the mind to know. But samatha practice only stays with one point of concentration. Also, the object of samatha practice is a concept. Vipassana object is nature/reality.
Depending on the yogi, some yogis can know many objects, and whichever is obvious, they’re aware of it. Some yogis have difficulty knowing many objects therefore they may start with only one object.
436. DON’T TRY TO MAKE ANYTHING HAPPEN, JUST CONTINUE TO BE AWARE
China 2018 Retreat File: 20180527 Q&A 1 (50:22-54:15)
Yogi 1: In walking meditation, I know the movement, but it is not quite clear. Is that right?
Sayadaw: That’s good enough. Just continue to maintain the awareness as much as you know. There’s no need to see in detail. When awareness gains momentum, it can naturally see in detail.
Your duty is: as much as you know, maintain the awareness moment to moment.
Yogi 1: During walking meditation, thinking mind arises, but I can only notice after it has occurred.
Sayadaw: Yes, in the beginning, it is like this.
Yogi 2: In sitting meditation, what should I do when the rising and falling of the abdomen becomes subtle? Should I breathe stronger?
Sayadaw: Let the object be; just continue to be aware of the subtle object. Continue to know that the object is subtle, not obvious; that this is happening.
Because the mind has settled down and awareness has gained strength, the object has become subtle – there is no need to change and make the object more obvious.
The important thing is to continue to be aware.
Sometimes, yogis are not satisfied and want to see the object clearly; craving then becomes the problem.
There is no need to rush in meditation; just be regular. Meditation is like running a marathon, not a sprint race.
437. THE MIND CANNOT WANDER; IT’S JUST THINKING MIND ARISING
China 2018 Retreat File: 20180527 Q&A 1 (2:04-3:23)
Yogi: I count 1 to 100 when I do walking meditation to stop the mind from wandering.
Sayadaw: When you’re busy counting, awareness is not working. Counting is not important. Knowing the movement, body sensation or touching is more important.
You count because you say that the mind is thinking too much, and you don’t want the mind to wander off.
The mind is not something that goes away and comes back. It arises and disappears every moment. When you notice this happening, you’re already aware; meditation is already working.
If you notice that thinking mind is arising, you’re already aware.
438. YOGIS CAN GET DEPRESSED WHEN THEY IDENTIFY WITH UNPLEASANTNESS
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya Vassa 2018 English Interviews 20180925 (0:59:57-1:00:49)
Some people know their mind (thoughts and feelings) very well.
However, whenever they notice their mind, the wrong view is already there.
Because they know their mind and have the idea that it is MY mind, every time they notice unpleasant thoughts and feelings, they become more depressed.
439. MEDITATE SO NATURALLY THAT OTHERS WON’T KNOW YOU’RE MEDITATING
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya Vassa 2018 Chinese Interviews 20180920 (1:03:17-1:04:27)
When you’re meditating, don’t let other people know that you’re meditating.
When a skillful meditator meditates, no one knows she’s meditating because the practice has become a natural process; but for a beginner, everyone can see she’s meditating.
If you focus too much, then the body is not natural; it becomes artificial. So the natural process is better – don’t let other people know that you’re meditating.
440. EMOTIONS ARISE BECAUSE OF THOUGHTS
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya Vassa 2018 Chinese Interviews 20180920 (26:20-27:54)
Yogi: When I pay attention to people, my mind is more relaxed as I feel compassion for them
Sayadaw: If you pay attention to some people, compassion comes and the mind is more relaxed. For others, the mind can be tense. Why?
Before feelings arise, the mind has some idea, some thoughts. If you have positive thinking, positive feeling comes; if the mind has negative thinking, then negative feeling comes.
That’s why if the mind pays attention to the person, to the external object/concept, many emotions can arise – feeling relaxed, pleasant or unpleasant.
When the mind gives meaning to the object (who and what), reactions can arise – liking, disliking, loving kindness, hatred, and whatever, can happen. The way you think (cause), the way you feel (effect).
Now you can see the feeling (effect); later, you can be aware of the thought (cause).
441. WHENEVER PAIN APPEARS CONTINUOUS, THE MIND IS PAYING ATTENTION TO CONCEPT
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya Vassa 2018 Chinese Interviews 20180920 ( (23:44-24:33)
When we’re aware and pain appears continuous or the same for say 5 or 10 minutes, it means that we’re thinking about the concept of pain, we’re not watching reality yet.
When we see the reality of pain, the mind is calm and the pain changes all the time.
Now the pain appears non-stop; later, we may see the pain changing – new, new, new.
442. WITH THE RIGHT PRACTICE, WRONG IDEAS ARE CORRECTED BECAUSE OF WISDOM
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya Vassa 2018 English Interviews 20180925 (36:40-37:04)
We have the wrong idea that I’m seeing, seeing is me and hearing is me.
When we practice this process (being aware that the 6 senses are happening) again and again, slowly the view can change because wisdom can come.
Then only we can realize that there’s nobody there; that it’s only conditioning due to its own cause and effect process.
443. LEARNING FROM LIFE’S HARD KNOCKS
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya Vassa 2018 - Monks and Nuns’ Q&A 1002 (36:15-38:47)
Yogi: When I'm not mindful, defilements overcome the mind and it suffers terribly.
Sayadaw: People who suffer a lot understand this very well. That’s why I’m interested in suffering. It wakes us up – but people are afraid of suffering.
When real suffering comes into your life, it is a very good experience because only then can you find out how to overcome this suffering.
That’s why I wish yogis not always to be happy and peaceful.
Yogis when they meet real suffering, they have no choice but to practice hard; and one day when they overcome it, they will realize the value of the practice, the value of awareness.
444. ADVICE FOR BEGINNERS WHO CANNOT NOTICE REACTIONS
China 2018 Retreat File: 20180527 Q&A 1 (31:10-33:00)
Yogi: I don’t have good or bad feelings, just neutral experiences when practicing.
Sayadaw: That’s common for beginners. Just try to be aware of any physical object; when the awareness gets better, you can notice some reaction to the objects.
At present, you may not notice aversion to pain as the aversion is not obvious yet. You’ll start to notice when aversion becomes obvious.
Now, just maintain the awareness moment to moment.
If you notice liking when you’re eating, then you have seen your reaction (to food). You need to notice that liking has arisen in the mind.
445. ADVICE ON DAYDREAMING DURING THE SIT
China 2018 Retreat File: 20180527 Q&A 1 (28:53-29:50)
Yogi: To stop daydreaming, I would remind myself that it’s just an object and also open my eyes. Which method is better?
Sayadaw: You can use both ways. If it’s difficult to be aware, it helps to open the eyes during the sit.
If you’re thinking too much if it is difficult to be aware and the mind gets involved easily (thinking continues), drop this object; don’t try to be aware of the thoughts. You already know that it’s happening – rather, ground your awareness with a physical object.
446. TENSION BUILDS UP WHEN YOGIS OVER-EXERT TO BE AWARE
China 2018 Retreat File: 20180527 Q&A 1 (24:19-25:40)
Yogi: I experience pressure and discomfort in the head whenever I notice the in-breath and out-breath.
Sayadaw: Don’t focus too much whenever you’re aware or there’ll be tension in the head because you use a lot of energy.
Paying attention is directing attention to the object, not pressing onto the object. Placing the attention onto the object, that’s enough.
Yogis use too much energy to be aware; that’s why tension builds up.
If the mind becomes tense whenever you use a particular object (e.g. in-breath and out-breath), it’s better to switch to another object because old habits are hard to change.
447. DON’T FOLLOW THE CRAVING
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya 2018 Vassa Q&A Chinese Interviews 20180920 (45:35-45:56)
Don’t follow the craving; just be aware, aware, aware. Don’t follow the craving.
If you follow the craving, the mind gets agitated.
Don’t follow; just recognize that the craving is there and do what you need to do – come back to being aware of your body sensations.
448. LEARN TO DISCERN WHETHER THE MIND IS ATTENDING TO CONCEPT OR REALITY
Guided Meditation Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary Retreat 2013 Part 3
You need a lot of practice watching the mind again, again and again to know the mind; slowly the mind understands how to watch the mind.
We are more interested in the reality process, in the nature of different minds.
The mind can directly know reality. For example, when we are aware of taste when we’re eating, the mind can directly know the taste. This is reality – sweet, sour, bitter and salty – the mind can know directly. But banana, vegetable, chicken and pork are concepts – the mind is thinking, thinking about the concepts.
You can directly experience, hot, taste (sweet, sour), hardness and softness – these are reality. So learn to know what the mind is paying attention to – concept or reality?
449. INTENSE CONCENTRATION MAKES THE THOUGHTS APPEAR REAL
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya Vassa 2018 Chinese Interviews 20180920 (1:15:05-1:16:03)
Concentration exaggerates the thoughts and the concept becomes more real. The contents of what is seen, heard or smelled appear more real because of concentration although it is only imagination.
Heavy concentration makes the thoughts become more real.
Concentration makes the thoughts clearer; concentration happens at the mind door, and imagination also happens in the mind door. So, when there are thoughts with concentration, the thoughts appear more real.
450. DIFFERENT DEFILEMENTS EXPRESS THEIR NATURE THROUGH DIFFERENT THOUGHTS
Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya Vassa 2018 English Interviews 20180925 (48:28-49:29)
Your assignment is to be aware of the process.
Sometimes, very bad thoughts can come. Anger thinks its way – every thought is mean, never good; all are bad. For craving, everything is nice, beautiful and good. This is the nature of that mind. The unwholesome mind thinks its way.
That’s why we should not believe those thoughts. You’ll be shocked how the mind can think that way; how is that possible.
Anger thinks its way; craving thinks its way. (And ego thinks its way – how great and wonderful “I am”. Different defilements express their nature through different thoughts.)