In the teachings of Sayadaw U Tejaniya, the "indirect" approach to knowing thoughts is centered on observing the secondary effects or "roots" of thoughts rather than getting lost in their content.

This is particularly helpful when the mind is racing or when looking directly at a thought makes it disappear or feel forced. Here is how he suggests practicing this:

1. Awareness of Body Sensations

Sayadaw often teaches that every thought has a physical counterpart. Instead of trying to "watch" the thought itself, you can feel the physical tension or energy it creates in the body.

• The "Roots": If the mind is busy, notice the tightness in the chest, the heat in the face, or the tension in the shoulders.
• The Benefit: By observing the physical sensation, you are "knowing" that a thought is present without being sucked into the story or "content" of that thought.

2. Monitoring the "State of Mind"

Instead of looking at what you are thinking, you look at how the mind is feeling. This is often called "checking the attitude."

• The Vibe: Ask yourself, "Is the mind heavy? Is it agitated? Is it contracted?"
• Indirect Knowing: If the mind feels "tight," you indirectly know that a thought rooted in aversion or greed is likely present. You don't need to know the specific details of the thought to know the quality of the mind.

3. Observing the "Feeling" (Vedana)

Every thought is accompanied by a mental feeling—either pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral.

• The Pulse: You can stay aware of the "unpleasantness" or "agitation" of a restless mind.
• The Shift: When you notice the feeling of "discomfort," you are acknowledging the presence of the thinking process without needing to "see" the thoughts like pictures or words.

4. Using "Wise Questioning"

Sayadaw encourages using gentle questions to trigger awareness indirectly. Instead of "I must see my thoughts," you might ask:

• "Is the mind aware right now?"
• "What is the mind doing?"
• "Is there any tension?" These questions pivot the mind toward a state of observation. The moment you answer "Yes, I am aware of tension," you have successfully recognized the thought process indirectly.

5. Seeing the "Thinking Nature"

He suggests treating thoughts like "sound" or "weather." Just as you don't have to listen to every word of a bird's song to know "hearing is happening," you don't have to follow a thought to know "thinking is happening."

• Labeling as Nature: Simply acknowledging "the mind is doing its job" or "thinking is happening" shifts the focus from the content to the process.

Sayadaw U Tejaniya: Relax and be Aware This video explains the foundational principles of Sayadaw U Tejaniya's relaxed, open awareness approach, which is essential for understanding how to observe the mind without tension.