Yogi: I have strong aversion to the outbreath because it’s hard to relax completely on the outbreath. It’s only when I’m in a deep meditative state that I can relax completely.

Sayadaw: You know quite a bit about what is happening – and that’s enough to know.

You don’t have to be totally relaxed; only if the tension is increasing hour after hour or day by day, then you have to address that.

If you notice aversion on the outbreath, then you can use the aversion as an object.

Yogi: I tried, but it’s very hard to watch the tense breath. 

Sayadaw: Then don’t watch the breath. If the object is constantly agitating the mind, then don’t use that object. You can use the whole body; just notice different sensations in the body.

Yogi: It’s pretty nice to sit when I get my focus.

Sayadaw: Rather than think that it’s only good when you get concentration, that a certain state or result is good, you want to recognize that the process of meditation has benefits. You can learn something from just observing.

Yogi: It’s hard not to think of the results.

Sayadaw: Just keep acknowledging that the mind is still wanting the goal, notice that. You don’t have to put it aside, but you can acknowledge that and keep recognizing that is what the mind is doing.

From just observing the aversion, the way the mind is wanting the goal, and how this process is working for you, your mind might figure out that greed is not helpful when you meditate.