Yogi: I have the problem of getting caught up in thoughts – awareness only comes in seconds and off it goes.

Sayadaw: This is to be expected especially in our sitting meditation because at home we’re not used to being quiet and watching our sensations; we’re used to sitting and being lost in thoughts. That’s the habit the mind will keep going to.

The part that is helpful on retreat is that we keep getting awake again – just recognize that that’s a good thing.

The mind is a series of habit patterns. If we recognize that it’s a habit of the mind, then it is okay because we’re building a new habit. Every time we become awake again, we’re building a new habit and soon that will gain momentum.

We can’t force the mind to be what we want it to be – we just have to learn to build the new habit of being aware.