It is simple, like a pupil, we need to build a good foundation, those on the elementary stage, need to go to the elementary school, never try the Bachelor degree examination.
Failure to be mindful of self ability, only led to self-destruction. whether blowing-up ego or anxiety getting worser & worser. And, we have yogi who suicide after meditation retreats.
But there are a handful of gifted people who can but not in majority.
Right View is needed at all time for the practice of Vipassana (i.e. right view) and Samatha (i.e. mindfulness), according to the core teachings of SN/SA suttas.
Beautiful advice to proceed step by step and to build on firm foundations, but how do we known if one step “is strong enough”? One way would be to test the next step and see how it goes?
When we meditate, we shall know naturally or automatically what is happening inside.
Meditating is like reading a book. Open and read it, page by page. Chapter by Chapter. When we understand what is the meaning of the last chapter we read, it means we can proceed to the next chapter.
Do not worry, the truth is within us. And the Buddha had taught & showed us the way to the truth.
ps. when the time ripe, we shall notice that the Pa Auk Method & the Mahasi Method correlate to each other.
If people who just open the book, just know that they just breathing in and out, that’s it. Remember Anapasati Tetrad 1.1, just do it. The rest they shall know it. Now, they only know it just a breath. A breath in & a breath out. But next, they can realize that the breath in long or short, warm & cold, etc.
Do not think to far. Do not think about the thoughts if we are not even aware of our very breath in and out.
Sure no need to know all the Dhamma theory & those scientific explanations. After all, they are just a Pannati Dhamma not a Paramatha Dhamma. The Buddha saw it & realized it. But, are we see it & realize it ourself??? They are just our fleeting memories.
We just need the basic knowledge, the in & out breath, try to stick to it, know it & realized the knowledge within & beyond the breath.
Seek nothing, just sit, mindfully breathe out and mindfully breathe in.
But right view is needed at all times for the practice of Vipassana (i.e. right view) and Samatha (i.e. mindfulness), according to the core teachings of SN/SA suttas.