The rule of thumb is if you’re watching something in the mind and if it is getting worse, don’t watch it. Go to a neutral object and calm the mind first. When the mind is steady, the mind is ready and not before.
A yogi was hiking and he was trying to cross a stream. It was freezing and he was alone – he was in a bad situation and he couldn’t move.
He was in a panic, he felt the fear of death and he was afraid because nobody was around. He couldn’t manage the fear in his mind and he remembered ‘‘Sayadaw” saying to come to a neutral object and he started watching his breath, watching his breath. And then he said his mind calmed down.
When the mind calmed down, without the panic, he understood what he should do. He could then get up and move. This shows the importance of not panicking.
We learn so much about the mind, but we also have to understand when we can watch the mind directly and when it is not a good time to watch the mind directly.
We have to know that in watching the defilement, the awareness must be stronger than the defilement to be able to watch it directly. At least the balance should be 70-80% awareness and 20-30% unwholesome mind. 50:50 is quite tough.
If the awareness is not strong enough, it is better to build the awareness by using a neutral object.