Is Meditation Painful? The Secret Behind Sitting in the Lotus Position

Have you ever wondered, "Is meditation painful?" When crossing the legs into the lotus position, with numb feet and an aching back, many people feel discouraged. But the answer given by Thầy Thích Chân Quang during a consultation at Pháp Vân Temple may change the way you view meditative concentration.

Sitting in the lotus position: uncomfortable, yet the direct path

When sitting in the lotus position, almost everyone feels discomfort, pain, and numbness. Thầy Chân Quang shared: "When I sit in meditation with my legs crossed, I find it very uncomfortable. And sitting without moving—isn't that uncomfortable?" He once asked someone to sit in the most comfortable posture possible, but after just half an hour of stillness, that person was brought to tears. From this, he concluded:

"All the Buddhas of the ten directions, all the Buddhas of the three times, had to sit in the lotus position in order to remain motionless, day after day. Every other posture simply does not support our ability to sit still."

When the body is still, the mind can become still. The lotus position is the key that helps us achieve this. Though difficult, do not be discouraged: it is the most reasonable and rightful path.

Meditative concentration: the spiritual heart of Buddhism

Thầy shared that when the world turns to Buddhism, they come for meditation. Other traditions may have talismans and prayers, but Buddhism alone uses meditative concentration to seek enlightenment. For this reason, every meditation retreat at Pháp Vân is a way of "rekindling the spiritual source of Buddhism in northern Vietnam." He emphasized:

"Those who contribute little else need only come here and diligently practice sitting meditation—that alone is great merit. Because we are helping the spiritual foundation of Buddhism in the North come back to life."

The story of one who attained the fruit of Sotapanna

On the way back to the temple, Thầy received a message from a Buddhist layperson: the night before, she had been too tired to meditate, but something urged her on, and as soon as she sat down, strange states began to appear. Thầy told her: "You have just attained the fruit of Sotapanna. Do not tell anyone." She burst into tears out of longing for the Buddha and her teacher. Thầy explained:

"When a person attains the first fruit of Sotapanna, their affection and reverence for the Buddha become boundless, which is why people often burst into tears at that moment."

This does not happen by chance. It requires a person who lives selflessly, who sacrifices and dedicates themselves, who practices with diligence. Basic virtue is the foundation, and when the time ripens, the fruit arrives in meditative concentration.

The path of practice: do not lose heart, do not handle things alone

On the path of practice, many strange states can arise: heat in the palms, improper thoughts, unusual dreams. Thầy taught that when heat rises in the palms, energy is running upward, and one should practice qigong to guide it down to the dantian. Improper thoughts may come from demonic disturbance or karma from the past. When problems arise, "we must ask, not handle it ourselves—it is dangerous." Seek guidance from the venerable teachers, or practice repentance and perform merit.

In particular, Thầy reminded: do not count the time while meditating. "When practicing meditation, do not count the time. Counting time is a mistake. Try to sit for a long time, but do not use that time to calculate your merit."

Living in community to dissolve the ego

Meditating alone can easily feed the ego. In community, we must care for others and fear hurting them, and in this way the sense of self is gradually dissolved. Thầy taught:

"I do not live according to my own mind, but according to the hearts of my brothers and sisters. When we live according to the hearts of others, always fearing to hurt them, our virtue grows."

Begin today

Meditation is the path that leads us back to our true mind, but it is not without hardship. Trust that discomfort is an opportunity to overcome ourselves. Each time we sit, even for ten minutes, we rekindle the spiritual source within our hearts. Do not lose heart, do not give up. Sit down, breathe, and begin. Merit will come to those who persevere.