Yogi: The mind could be very stable for 3 hours of sitting and walking, but when I left the hall for half an hour, the mind was totally not mindful even though I reminded myself to be mindful before I left. I only remembered to be aware when I was back in the hall.
What actually happened in between?
Sayadaw: There was the intention to be mindful but no habit.
Some people remember they have the intention to be mindful and that’s the last thing they remember and there is no more awareness until the awareness comes back much later.
It’s the same with eating meditation. Before they start to eat, they remind themselves that they’ll be mindful while eating and the next thing they remember is when they’re full after eating. But they’re totally not mindful while they’re eating.