Yogi: When I’m into the practice, I get terribly charged and it is so intense that I could go on without noticing if I’m hungry or I need sleep or I have to go to the toilet.
Sayadaw: This is the pattern of the mind that will just ramp up the energy without you trying.
It’s a matter of finding out how much of that energy you need to do the things you need to do.
When I was busy running my business, I was more interested in maintaining the mindfulness. Although I was doing things quickly, I would be watching the mind.
I used enough energy without overexerting. Wisdom will learn what is enough energy – and what is too much and what is too little – through mindfulness so that it can find the balance.
Yogi: I must be present to know how much effort I’m putting in. That’s where the interest came from, and it just wants to know how much do I press when I write.
Sayadaw: That’s right; you must do that much.