Page 80 - Dhamma Practice

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key conscious phenomenon is not clear, it is hazy. When contemplating the action of walking, the phenomenon is hazy and unclear. The phenomenon of inflate-deflate is hazy. In these circumstances, tiredness emerges. While sleepiness appears, what do we do? We have to endure it and sit and sit and sit until the feeling of sleepiness disappears. This is normal.
A way to battle sleepiness is when the feeling emerges, we should change our bodily movements or positions. After we have done it, if we still fell sleepy, then we should get up and wash our face. If we are still sleepy, just go to sleep for a while before getting up to continue practicing. Whether we sleep while sitting or while lying down, there is no difference. But, if we sleep while lying down, when we get up, we are refreshed. Alternatively, if we sleep while sitting, when we get up, we feel drowsy. But, observe that if the sleepiness is caused by intense concentration, the key is to wilfully contemplate the phenomenon. Once this major phenomenon is clear, the sleepiness will disappear.
This afternoon, I told you the way to deal with sleepiness. You are still sleepy now, correct? Observe how the sleepiness emerges. The sleepiness will emerge when our mind lacks a major conscious phenomenon, when we feel somewhat empty. Sometimes, our thoughts are the one who bring sleepiness, correct? When our mind is empty, and some thoughts slowly emerge, we enjoy