It Seems Difficult, Yet It Is the Key: The Secret of Sitting in Full Lotus

Have you ever felt your legs go numb while meditating? I have too. Every time I close my eyes and face stillness, a question arises: Why must we endure this? The answer I found is not merely philosophical doctrine, but a deep faith born from listening to the teachings of Venerable Thich Chan Quang.

Why is sitting in full lotus the key?

Venerable Thich Chan Quang shares a story about someone who chose a comfortable, back-supported posture, believing they could sit for a long time. Yet, after just ten minutes without moving, they began to cry. In contrast, sitting in full lotus causes numbness and discomfort, but it is actually the most stable posture.

The Buddhas of the ten directions and the Buddhas of the three times all had to sit in full lotus to remain motionless day after day.

When our body is still, the mind has the opportunity to become calm. Do not be discouraged by pain; it is the most logical path for deep practice.

Still Body, Still Mind

Venerable Thich Chan Quang emphasizes that meditation is not just a technique, but a way to revive the spiritual source of Buddhism. During a retreat, each person’s meditation contributes to the community.

If this practice of meditation is maintained for a long time, it is as if the lifeblood and spiritual source of Buddhism in Northern Vietnam begins to live again.

Therefore, even if there are no immediate results, simply practicing diligently is already great merit.

When Mantras Heal Pain

One Buddhist practitioner shared that when their body hurt, they recited that this body is impermanence (anicca), and their whole body stiffened, relieving the pain. Venerable Thich Chan Quang explained that the phrase itself does not cure pain. However, because it has been chanted in many places, it has become a mantra, protected by celestial beings.

What is a mantra? It is a saying with profound meaning that becomes efficacious through the protection of devas and bodhisattvas.

This shows that reverence and the collective faith of the community possess miraculous power.

Do Not Count Time, Live Within the Sangha

Venerable Thich Chan Quang advises against using time as a measure. Whether one sits for a long or short time depends on blessings from merit. More importantly, when practicing with the Sangha, our ego diminishes because we learn to live according to the minds of others.

Try to sit for a long time, but do not calculate your effort based on that duration.

Only when we merge into the collective do we learn to respect and care for others—qualities essential for a practitioner.

Attainment Does Not Come Naturally: Joy from a Practitioner

Venerable Thich Chan Quang recounts a message from a Buddhist practitioner who attained the first stage of enlightenment. That person cried out of remembrance for the Buddha and their teacher. Venerable Thich Chan Quang said this was a natural sign. Attainment is the result of ethics, sacrifice, and diligence.

One must be a person who lives very altruistically, sacrificing greatly, and dedicating oneself fully. This is fundamental morality.

When the mind is pure, stages of attainment arrive naturally, like flowers blooming.

Sit Down and Begin

You do not need to achieve anything immediately. Just sit down. Even if it hurts, even if you are tired, you are walking the main path. Do not lose heart, for every minute of meditation is a minute of calming the mind, and a minute where you help bring the light of the Buddha's teachings (Dharma) back to life.