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.