Questions

[Whitebeard.]

Hey guys, I'm new in mediation practice and I have some questions.
These questions are probably the most asked ones from new ones.
First of all: To meditate we have to keep our back - low back straight.
By keeping my shoulders and back straight my muscles can't relax and I can't concentrate. Some minutes of futile trying of concentrating later, I'm in pain so I stop meditating. Any suggestions?

[GilesC]

Meditation shouldn't be hard work.

If you have trouble sitting with your back straight then perhaps use a different seat or sit back a little and let back of the seat support your lower back. Often we can get deep into meditation and all our muscles relax and we come out of the meditation having slumped down and no longer sitting upright. That's ok. Just so long as we are comfortable.

Hugs

Giles

[Whitebeard.]

When I meditate in the upright position, my back begins to hurt after eight minutes. After thirty minutes my back is completely sore, and so are my thighs. My goal is to continue this meditation practice until my back strengthens up. I'd like to meditate on a certain peaceful subject, but all I can think about is the back pain. I imagine that after three months this pain will go away if I regularly meditate thirty minutes a day. It could take a month, or a year. So, is it even possible to strengthen your back to the point where it no longer becomes a distraction during meditation? And if so, how long will it take?

[GilesC]

I can't give advice on strengthening the back. For that you'd need to seek the advice of a back specialist. For me personally, I sit in a comfy chair with my lower and mid back supported, and the chair is flexible enough that I can set it in a position where I'm sitting upright and my head can just sit comfortably on my shoulders without having to exert any effort to keep my head upright too.

If your back keeps on hurting, your really should see someone who can advise you in-person about posture and strengthening it, rather than just continuing with the pain, otherwise you could actually end up damaging your back, and that's something I wouldn't wish on anybody.

Hugs

Giles