WATCH THE FEELING AND NOT THINK OF WHAT AGITATES THE MIND

Singapore Q&A 19 November 2022 (28:46-31:13) with Sayadaw U Tejaniya

Yogi: I tried many ways to treat myself when I was sick, but I got more agitated instead.

Sayadaw: It is not easy to calm the mind for beginners because the wanting and not wanting are strong like a pendulum swinging wildly.

It is easier for the experienced yogi to calm the mind when they are sick. Normally people resist very strongly because they want a good state – the more they dislike the present situation, the more agitated the mind gets.

It is also an understanding when we realize that all the trying causes agitation. This is also one truth, but you don’t know any other way of settling the mind – you only know this way and you try again and again.

Next time when you’re sick, watch that the mind is not happy. That’s better. Be aware of the unpleasant feeling first because when the agitation subsides the mind calms down.