DOES AWARENESS HINDER DAILY ACTIVITIES?
Yogi: In daily life, we’re busy most of the time. If we’re aware, we can’t do much else.
Sayadaw: Whether you’re talking or doing anything, with awareness present, your quality of mind is very different.
When you’re aware of what you’re doing, your quality of mind improves; and consequently, the quality of what you’re doing becomes better and better.
If there is no awareness, the mind is deluded and any defilement can come in; for example, you can immediately get angry without awareness.
If you’re aware, you know that the mind is angry, and there is some space before responding. Then, the mind can decide to talk or hold back.
Every time our mental, verbal and physical actions are guided by awareness and wisdom, the mind is secure.