Yogi: I’m concerned about self-criticism – whenever there is should and shouldn’t be like this or why am I not like this, I recognize the thoughts and discomfort.

Aren’t these thoughts of self-criticism already the mind wearing the glasses of self-criticism?

Sayadaw: Yes, but you have to differentiate 2 processes – there is a process that is being seen and the seeing process.

And the process that is being seen right now is the process of the mind having self-criticism glasses on and doing self-criticizing and the feeling of being self-criticized.

And there is a process that is seeing this process – and that process may not have the glasses on. You can see for yourself. This type might be seeing with wisdom.

The seeing what is happening is not self-criticizing, it is seeing the process of self-criticizing happening.