Yogi: I have a problem with obsessive thoughts. I keep on getting anxious over disappointing others. I’m quite fed up of these thoughts. I know the reasons but it doesn’t help – I thought I have to be familiar with the thoughts, give them space or treat them like noises, but it doesn’t change anything.

I can accept my anxiety and be okay with it, but I’m fed up with the pattern behind it.

Sayadaw: When the mind likes something a lot or dislikes something a lot, it will think of it obsessively. It is basically the aversion to what you have to face – and that aversion is feeding the thoughts.

Yogi: I know, I know; but it still doesn’t change anything.

Sayadaw: When anxiety is still there, we keep watching it.

When something keeps bothering us, we keep on wanting to get to the bottom of it.

Make the mindfulness stronger first before coming back to it. Until we understand it, it will keep on bothering us.

Yogi: My problem is I don’t manage to see what is behind it.

Sayadaw: Continue to watch.

Yogi: Do I watch continuously what is behind it?

Sayadaw: Don’t think about it; just be aware continuously without thinking about it.