Yogi: At home, if I try to be aware when the mind is in a bad state, I cannot be aware.

Sayadaw: Defilement doesn’t like to watch because awareness and defilement are opposites.

It’s like black and white – so, when the defilement is too strong, awareness cannot work.

So, you need to use right thinking and effort to try to be mindful even when the defilement is strong.

Wanting to be aware is saddha (faith) which is a wholesome mind – it makes the mind want to practice.