If you suddenly find that you have lost everything that was going well (when the mind was effortlessly aware), the important thing is to accept it. ‘Oh, the mind is feeling it’s not plain sailing now; I need to start with something simple!’ It’s very important to recognize the quality of your mind; when it’s not ready, don’t push it.
You don’t have to know the mind; you just have to be aware.
The mind is not ready right now, but the mind can still be aware of something else, something simple like the breath or the body. Go back to what is simple.
When we can’t know what’s happening in the mind – it’s too confusing, or it’s too constricting, go back to the body. Go back to what is easy – don’t build tension because it means that you’re trying too hard.