The investigation of phenomena involves having enough awareness to be able to observe without judging. This observation isn’t analyzing, or thinking about anything; it is rather a clear, silent seeing of the actual conditions of body and mind. Sometimes just seeing certain habits of body or patterns of mind clearly many make it possible to resolve them. Other times, however, they persist – they may keep coming back again and again. What we are actually seeing then is only the tip of the iceberg of a much more extensive causal process. Our awareness has only developed enough to see part of that much deeper process..Its like sending awareness into some particular specialized area of our experience, investigating it more thoroughly. And if its coming out of the practice of mindfulness, then its examining things that are very relevant to us and that are happening right now.

Ajahn Thiradhammo, Contemplation on the Seven Factors of Awakening