Yogi: I see that peace when the defilements are either weak or absent. After that, it’s like stagnation and a little bit of boredom. What is the right investigation, keeping in mind that I’m not supposed to create anything?

I see the energy dropping and I’m not content with that.

Sayadaw: At a time like this, having some theoretical knowledge helps us to investigate what is happening.

The questions of interest will come out of what we see in our awareness. You notice that when the mind is just peaceful, even though it tries to be mindful in an attentive way, the energy is dropping.

You can investigate why is the energy dropping? What is the mind not paying attention to?

If the mind has a reaction to something, e.g., now that the energy is dropping, does the mind have the right or wrong attitude?

If the mind has an aversion, what does it have an aversion to? If it has an aversion to this, does it have an aversion to the other?

The mind can investigate in so many ways – that interest to discover more will come out of what is actually happening to the mind.

It is important to know that the basic practice is the same – we’re observing and learning. I don’t want to say too much about what exactly we should be learning or paying attention to – then it becomes something others have told us to look at and we may not be looking at something that is actually more present for us.