Yogi: Sayadaw doesn’t recommend using samadhi to suppress the defilement?
Sayadaw: It depends. You can if it is used as a skilful means; if it is necessary.
It depends on the situation. Sometimes in daily life, we have things overwhelming our attention and sometimes it is necessary to keep down something that is unskillful. And, that also depends on how skillful we already are in the practice.
If we’re able, we can concentrate on something for a few minutes and immediately the defilement is contained so that we can bring it up at another time to observe.
If we want to maintain the steadiness of our mind, we have to learn what is skillful in every moment for us to bring to the practice. We have learnt so many things – which one do we bring to the practice now that will be most helpful.
Yogi: At retreat, the mind is habitually inclined towards collectedness when I sit. What should I do?
Sayadaw: You already have the advantage that the mind is naturally calm when you sit – you can use that state to do more investigation.
Once the mind is quiet, what should you do? Enjoy? You can investigate anything.