[practice] Sayadaw U Tejaniya teachings

[u/astronauu]

I have been following The Mind Illuminated for my practice but I have found the teachings of Tejaniya (http://ashintejaniya.org/) very interesting. In particular, the focus on continuous awareness during daily life and on that fact that being aware does not require much effort. However, his teachings on the website are based on very general indications. I am wondering if someone familiar with his style could point me to more specific and concrete instructions about how to meditate (in sitting and in daily life) according to Tejaniya's style.

[u/prettycode]

I recently attended a Steve Armstrong retreat where he taught U Tejaniya-style "awareness" practice. As you said, Tejaniya's style is very relaxed, open, and much about the continuity of awareness between formal sitting sessions.

As for concrete instructions, there really aren't any other than to continuously "check in" with the mind and know what it's doing. The objects attention picks out to notice are secondary to observing the movement of mind. In other words, the practice is not about noticing sensations but noticing what the mind is noticing. Particularized sensations are not important; how the mind reacts to sensations is what's meant to be noticed.

[u/astronauu → u/prettycode]

Thank you for your answer! Have you had the chance to consistently practice this continuous "check in" of what the mind is doing? If yes, did you find any particular benefits from it?

[u/prettycode → u/astronauu]

Yes, I've been trying to transition my practice over to awareness-style for the past month or so. It's a much easier "place" to be in than what I had been doing previously (militant Mahasi noting). More equanimity; less intra-sit dukkha. It's more susceptible to dullness and mind-wandering in the beginning.