Yogi: I’m not sure if I’m practicing or not. I’m aware of something but I’m not sure if there’s enough effort, or it has become a bit natural.

Sayadaw: If the awareness is present, then you can know what the awareness is aware of – there is an object and the awareness. And then, you can differentiate whether the object is a concept or reality. So, check when the mind is unsure if awareness is present or not.

The objects are just mind and body – in the body they are the senses; and in the mind, the feelings or the thinking.

On retreat, just strengthen the mindfulness; and as the momentum grows, the mind will be more confident about the practice.

The practice comes in phases and the first phase is gaining some continuity and momentum in the awareness.

If the awareness slides, we just have to build up the continuity of awareness again.