Yogi: I heard some music and was enjoying it. When I applied the awareness, it was no longer enjoyable- there was just sound and hearing.
The mind said it was not enjoyable at all to be aware of the sound and chose to go back to enjoying the music. When I try to practice in that environment, should I just place the awareness on the sound or let it be?
Sayadaw: Let it be and go to your mental state – just be aware of your liking and enjoying. This is better.
When the mind calms down, then you can hear the music as it is. Watch the liking and disliking first; when right view comes, then it will choose the hearing.
Otherwise, you concentrate on the hearing, but the mind still wants to enjoy the music. Then, you won’t understand very well. It is better to come to your mental state first – if there’s liking, honestly watch the liking mind as the object.
When liking has gone and craving is not in the mind, the view changes and you can watch hearing as it is. This is more important.