Yogi: I have nice neighbors, but they wouldn’t stop talking when they start. I haven’t found a good way to get out. After a while, I’m not really listening properly anymore, and I feel bad.
I can’t just walk away because it is not kind. I haven’t found a good way to end the conversation.
Sayadaw: Sometimes we are held by our beliefs. We listen to them and when we have to go, it is not rude to say ‘I need to go and do something’.
Feeling bad is also an unwholesome mind. It’s not a reasonable and logical mind.
We have to understand with a clear mind what is the right thing to do now – what is beneficial for oneself and how to do it.
Often these people talk and if you go away, fine, they’ll find someone else to talk to.
We should not be caught in our beliefs of what should be, but work with what is necessary.
When you feel bad, you can tell that it is unwholesome because it blocks you from being creative, from being open, and from trying things; so, put that aside.