Yogi: Sometimes I can be aware of agitation and there’s no problem – I feel grateful and relieved. And, sometimes it’s just agitation, and going back to the breath is a better option.
Sayadaw: At times when the mind is more skillful and wise, you can bring that to observe agitation and when that condition is not present, yes, you have to use other skillful means to quiet the mind when you are just not able to observe agitation.
Skillful means there is wisdom – anything you want to do is skillful if you have the right attitude. If you have the wrong attitude, then it wouldn’t be skillful to do it.
It’s so clear then that this mind is not governed by us – when the conditions are right, it’ll be this way, and when the conditions are not present, then it’ll be another way. It’s obviously cause and effect, and we’re not in control.