Yogi: I burnt my toast this morning and the mind was anxiously scolding and complaining. When awareness returned, the dosa thoughts stopped; I was just sensing the touch and the mind calmed down.

Sayadaw: Awareness and delusion are very different, right? If you’re not aware, delusion is present and the defilement exaggerates the experience.

When awareness comes back, wisdom can follow. (When there is awareness, wisdom arises and the mind pays attention to the touching reality; if awareness were absent, then defilement would pay attention to the concept and exaggerate the experience.)

If you’re not aware, the mind is already deluded; and when the mind is deluded, it is easy for all defilements to exaggerate the experience.