Expert: Buddhis8 - BuddhismIS.com - 6/11/2010

Question
Hello,

My question is in meditation (particularly sitting) is it uncommon to feel uncomfortable and if so what can I do about? For instance, today I was practicing Samatha meditation in the half lotus posture. Almost immediately after I was sitting and trying to concentrate my knee began hurting from the posture. Also when I sat up my thighs felt pressured and my body started shaking. Needless to say I couldn't concentrate. I am fourteen, so I don't know if it's flexibility problems or maybe I'm just sitting wrong. Please help.

-Thank You

Answer
Dear Kris,

Thank you for your question. Meditation is cognitive, not mechanical. It is normal to experience pain in your body during meditation and is important to note it as changing, transient phenomena. Do not turn this into something 'negative' or you may give up entirely.

If you need to stretch, stretch, need to pee, pee, dont get your mind all caught up in your bodily distractions. I am saying you miss the point if you are worried about whether to stretch your legs or not because of knee pain. Some people are not suited to half lotus position and are well advised to find a more suitable, COMFORTABLE posture to adopt.

You were shaking when you got up because you sat too long without moving, keep the circulation going and remember its OK to move. If you are a complete beginner to meditation it may be best to keep your sessions short initially to about 10 minutes. You can then increase your sitting time in increments of 5 minutes as you become more comfortable sitting for longer periods.

Yours in Dhamma
James Ball
http://www.knowbuddhism.info/2010/06/meditation-posture-and-pain.html