Yogi: I have the habit of exerting too much energy when I meditate. Can I reduce the energy by being aware of 2 objects instead of 1?

Sayadaw: The better way is to know the quality of the meditating mind. When the meditating mind has defilement, you will use a lot of energy.

We are not sure of using less energy by manipulating the objects; if you don’t see the mind, you won’t know that it is exerting a lot of energy because defilement is present.

Our emphasis is on the awareness mind, not the object.