TMI defines MIA as conscious awareness of the mind itself. At Stage 6 and above, I break this into two skills:

Automatic monitoring : You become aware of dullness or distraction without checking in. That knowledge just “shows up”. You need this to develop the automatic control that starts occurring in Stage 6 and which is the focus of Stage 7.

Noting mental activity: You become aware that a thought has occurred, but are not aware of what that thought is about. This puts distance between you and the thought – it doesn’t necessarily trigger you, and you start to have insight as just just how much awareness is fabricated.

I think of the first skill – automatic monitoring – as crucial.

I think of the second skill – metacognitive awareness of thought – as cute, but in my case wasn’t necessary. I don’t stress this second skill with my students.

What I do stress, is that when a thought pops up it is met with curiosity, and calmness, even love, before moving on. Never resistance or revulsion or pushing away. I believe this more directly paves the way to equanimity.