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Practice: Choosing a simpler object of attention When there is an experience of dukkha that seems to involve some complexity, see if it is possible, while remaining connected to the difficult experience and without moving the mind deliberately somewhere else (like the breath or a mettā practice), to tune the mindfulness to some simpler aspect of the totality of that difficult experience – for instance, the emotions, or the vedanā of the emotions in the body. As you sustain the attention on this simpler element, notice what effect this has on the sense of dukkha and on the whole experience. With regard to focusing on the emotions here: We are interested in finding ways of attending to, relating to, or holding the unfolding of an emotion or of the vedanā of an emotion, that feel like they are helping, soothing or calming the formation of the emotion or the fabrications around it. It is vital, therefore, that a portion of the mindfulness be devoted to noticing gently if this is happening, discerning if this way of attending is helpful in this moment.3 See if you can play and experiment and sense what may be needed. Is it possible to find a way of sustaining the attention on the emotions that feels helpful? (For instance, as touched upon, there are times when a more delicate attention will feel more helpful, just like with samādhi practice.)