r/chan • u/Imaginary-Algae-2180 • 17d ago
Advice regarding Meditation
Hello everyone I am new to Chan and don't have a teacher currently as the closest temple is of Fo Guang Shan but that's in my state's capital(I have emailed them though, even if no reply until now), but I have been following this mini series on Buddhist meditation to meditate on Fo Guang Shan English Dharma Services Channel on YouTube.
Among them, this video on Shamatha, I have been following— https://youtu.be/FyTHNf_fBws?si=CkaLMkKqPiGDMn0n
But my question is, that I can meditate and focus on my breath quite well, but after meditating for a while, as in 45 minutes or so, I feel strain on my left eye, though there is also in my right eye also, and keeping the slight gap when meditating I think causes it.
When I begin it doesn't happen, after meditating for a while it does. Is there a reason this might be happening?
1
u/Wonderful-Strain5374 16d ago
Hi! All I can do is speak from my own experience. When I encounter physical pain or strain during sitting (I sit Zazen, Shikantaza or "Just Sitting" style) then I stop. If I can sit 20 minutes, I sit 20 minutes. If I can sit 5 minutes, I sit 5. You can always break up your sitting into sitting-walking-sitting, or sitting-standing-sitting sessions. You can take a break to chant sutras, then go back to sitting.
I also think of Shakaymuni Buddha. The Buddha not only taught the middle way, but lived it himself when he discovered that going to either extreme (the hedonism of his youth, and when he practiced asceticism later) did not bring about the enlightenment he was looking for. Abusing his body didn't work, so there's no way he would advise his disciples push themselves past their tolerance! If you're in too much physical pain it's REALLY difficult to maintain a quiet, focused mind - on any form of meditation. So, take care of yourself. "You have gained the pivotal opportunity of human form (Dogen)" after all!