Why is meditation so uncomfortable? I practice Zen meditation and I avoid doing it.?
It’s boring, uncomfortable, painful, difficult.
Yes it does bring rewards, like a greater inner calm and peace. And not to be so pushed around by the sounds and noise of the city, and the busy-ness of everyday life.
Does anyone else find it uncomfortable?
Do you have any advice?
I am still a relative beginner. What is a small practice I can start off with?
I would really like to lie down to meditate, but I realise that is a big no no in Zen, as one often falls asleep (I do), and you are supposed to have a stable foundation.
Maybe I am too lazy and move away from discomfort too much or too quickly, rather than facing it. Which is another lesson of Zen.
Doing it properly is something I can work up to, but perhaps there is a bridging practice I can do, even if it is not the proper technique, that will at least afford some measure of inner peace?
Thank you very much everyone for your answers
Thank you Laluzimp, I use a chair to meditate too.
The discomfort I am talking about is mainly in my mind.
Although there is some discomfort in the body (espeically during sesshins or long periods of meditation) I don’t do meditation on regular basis as I don’t want to do it - I don’t think of it as fun. Maybe I am too attracted to fun and not willing to pay my dues …
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May 10th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
No s
May 11th, 2007 at 6:22 am
Depende algunas ppl dice que es muy tranquilizador
May 11th, 2007 at 7:19 pm
Rezar el rosario. El rosario implica meditar sobre los acontecimientos de la vida de Jes
May 13th, 2007 at 10:24 pm
Quiz
May 15th, 2007 at 4:15 am
Don’t forget the JOYFUL and the GLORIOUS mysteries - the SORROWFUL mysteries have no meaning without them!
otyhee xxx
May 17th, 2007 at 12:28 am
The truth is that sitting meditation is uncomfortable for everyone. Beginners and Zen masters alike experience body aches and tension, sleepiness, and the desire to get up, go check email, or do any of a thousand other things — anything but meditation!
Over many years in Zen halls, I’ve seen a Zen master sleeping, a Zen master struggling with knee pain, and a Zen master who needed to stand.
So your experience is quite normal. And what you’ve written shows that you have considerable wisdom about it.
What happens over time, when we consistently practice, is that the mind begins to settle down. As the mind settles, pain just becomes pain — not suffering. The suffering is what our mind adds to the physical experience. As we sit, we begin to see what our mind brings to the experience. And then sitting becomes more comfortable, even if not less painful.
The process of developing a stable meditation practice is a little like teaching a young puppy to sit. At first, you say “Sit!” and the puppy just bounces around. So using your hands, you make it sit and say “Sit!” and the puppy continues bouncing. But you repeat this over and over and slowly the puppy gets the point. Then, when you say “Sit!,” the puppy just sits. And, as you might know, dogs love to follow instructions.
Our mind is much like a puppy — bouncing all over the place among the memories, angers, hopes, pains, and joys of human life. But with tender practice, we can bring stillness to the mind. We can just sit!
I hope this helps. If you have specific questions, feel free to email me through my profile page.