Yogi: In the last days of the retreat, the mind has become calm in a simple place. The defilements are still there but they behave well.

There is not much going on and I asked myself if I should do something.

Sayadaw: Because now mindfulness is strong, wisdom is there, you can explore the specific nature of the object and the specific nature of the awareness.

When the mindfulness feels strong like this, you can use it to look at things more carefully to understand their nature.

There must be the intention to understand their nature so that when you observe it will bring in wisdom.

In the beginning of practice, we need the time to learn how to deal with the defilements so that they’re not always trying to disturb us while we’re trying to understand the nature of things, but once we have understood them enough, that’s when you have the opportunity to move ahead and explore.

It is a good question to ask if you should be doing something now because if we’re just satisfied with the peace – if the mindfulness doesn’t keep up and we don’t move ahead – then the mindfulness starts to retreat.

This is the time for you to step up the mindfulness and watch things more carefully. The questions become important now – now is when you can investigate.