Yogi: I lead a stressful life; at the end of the day, the mind is very tired. I find that cooking or washing after work helps to calm the mind and be aware, but not sitting meditation.

Sayadaw: The way mindfulness works should be applicable to all postures. If you find washing or cooking works but not sitting, it means that the mind is not doing mindfulness in the same way when sitting.

The key is that in the washing and cooking, you’re not trying to be less agitated or feel calm – you’re just letting yourself be mindful with whatever is happening. But, when you sit, you have to face the agitated mind and you can’t just let it be – then, you want to be calm.

Yogi: The problem is that when I sit, I can be lost in thought for a long time.

Sayadaw: It then makes sense because when you do the other activities, it keeps the mind awake and the mind can remain mindful. But when we sit, it’s true that thoughts can really take over and it’s hard to stay mindful.

The skilful thing then is to choose the postures and activities that will help you to stay mindful – and you’re already doing that.

If you do want to sit, you can choose to sit with your eyes open.