Yogi: I open my eyes when I meditate and take in many objects – sights, sounds and touch sensations. I feel a bit confused as the objects are so beautiful and plentiful, and they’re changing all the time.

Sayadaw: Allow those experiences, but always recognizing the reality of this mind and body (the 6 senses) in those experiences. Then, you can feel like you’re aware and not be lacking in persistence/continuity of awareness when you notice the sounds and the touch of the wind. Mostly, you don’t feel like you’re aware when you’re looking at the view and the butterflies. 

When you do look at those things you want to acknowledge that you’re looking, just that shift of attention from the butterfly to yourself – recognizing that looking is happening and then seeing is happening. It may feel that the mind is busier, but you can relax the mind too. 

When you like or dislike the things you see, you recognize those feelings too; the attention always comes back to recognizing the experience in ourselves. Outside of us are the concepts and inside is nature (reality) that is interacting with the concepts; and you want to keep on recognizing the nature that is interacting with the outside world. 

Yogi: I find myself enjoying the experience.

Sayadaw: I’m not saying that you cannot enjoy the experience; just acknowledge and know the liking and keep watching it.