Satipatthana Meditation by Analayo

Author:Analayo
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Windhorse Publications
Published: 2018-07-31T00:00:00+00:00

THE BODY AND PAIN

Nevertheless, bodily sensations are a prominent area for this contemplation. Sustained practice of the body scan with attention given to feelings reveals the surprising degree to which the body is a constant source of pain. Sitting in meditation, sooner or later bodily pain forces us to change posture. Even the posture of lying down cannot be maintained for long periods without eventually giving rise to pain and the need to turn around and change the body’s position.

Aside from the pain inherent in the body when motionless in any posture, there is the irritation caused by the outside temperature. Now it is too hot, soon enough it is too cold. A constant need keeps forcing us to adjust clothing or turn on a fan or the heating in order to prevent this body from giving rise to pain due to temperature.

Another dimension of the same predicament is the need for food and drink. So much attention, time, and resources are spent catering to what we would like to eat and what we would like to drink. Gratifying our likes, as well as creating and enforcing such likes in others, receives a great deal of attention and publicity. But the truth of the matter is that we have to eat and we have to drink, simply to avoid the pain of hunger and thirst. When that pain has successfully been addressed at least for a short while, the inevitable result is the need to defecate and urinate. Failing to do these will become yet another source of pain. From the restaurant to the restroom, all these are just facilities for pain relief.

Taking a deep breath feels so pleasant. Why is that? Because for a moment the constant demand of the body for oxygen has been satisfied. We have to breathe in order to avoid the pain of lack of oxygen.

Contemplating the different dimensions of bodily pain can also be related to the elements, the second spoke in the wheel of practice presented here. The basic pain of the body in any posture due to the pressure of the body’s weight, along with the need to eat and defecate, is a form of bodily pain that reflects the impact of the earth element. The need to drink and urinate relate to the water element. The necessity to maintain the body at a certain temperature points to the fire element. Out of various bodily motions, the need to breathe is a particularly prominent example of the potential for pain related to the wind element.

Aside from its place within contemplation of feelings, the constant subtle pain inherent in having a body can become an exercise on its own. All it takes is to note the amount of time and activity spent throughout the day just for the sake of maintaining the body in a less than painful condition: sleeping, eating, drinking, dressing, washing, and so on.

This type of contemplation or reflection can lead to a notable transformation of our attitude towards the body.

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