Yogi: Can Sayadaw advice how to handle thoughts during meditation?
Sayadaw: When you realize that you’re lost in thought, make it a point to recognize that you’re aware. Take a moment to recognize that there are these thoughts and there is awareness present now. Once you’ve done that, bring the awareness to the body.
If the breath is your anchor, gently return to your breath and stay aware again, always checking that the mind stays aware.
It’s okay that the mind gets lost in thought. You want to do this exercise when you become aware again. It doesn’t matter how many times you have to do it.
When you become aware again, and you acknowledge the thoughts, it’s not the story you want to recognize, but the fact that the mind is thinking.
You’re not going to continue to watch the thoughts; just a moment to acknowledge that the mind is thinking and then coming back to the breath.