Yogi: When there is a strong defilement and I switch to a neutral object, it doesn’t work because the mind feels like it’s avoiding the defilement.

Sayadaw: You can see that neutral doesn’t work this time because the mind doesn’t need it. It’s easier to just watch the defilement. It’s faster to just watch what is happening; using a neutral object is only when you find the negative overwhelming.

That is already a lot of work and then it’s not finished because you still have to come back to the negative when the mind has stabilized.

It’s like you already know how to box and you’re in a competition; and instead of boxing, you keep looking at the trainer to check if you should do this or that. And, you get boxed because you’re not paying attention.