Observe

At the Vipassana retreat in Singaraja, Bhante Sujata said that all the questions he had of senior monks and great teachers basically had one answer: just observe. There's a saying in the motivational field, "Don't be an observer, be a participant."  That also sounds good, but words often mean different things. One of the keys to communicating about practice is knowing the level you're on. The observation that the Buddhist monks suggest is aimed at bringing one into the present and away from following wandering thoughts, desires, emotions. Observe to fully participate. But don't tell Bhante I said that or he might shake his head and say, "Just observe." - dc

Vipassana retreat report