Drunken meditation...
yagr
Veteran
Warm greetings to everyone. 
I'm wondering if anyone can field one or both of these questions. First, I know that I'm not alone in dealing with circulation issues in my legs and feet during meditation. What I'd like to know is if there is a point at which one can cause lasting damage by ignoring it. While I'm aware of the sensation, at some point in meditation I could easily ignore the discomfort until it ceases becoming discomfort and just sort of 'is'. At that point, it is no longer even a distraction and I could continue meditating for....well, I don't know because I've always stopped out of caution. I'd rather explore longer meditation sessions if I could be even fairly secure that I'm not doing permanent damage.
Second, I am undergoing regular medical treatments (at this point they are twice a week) in which I am monitored for two hours after receiving the treatment because of side effects. The treatment has been extremely effective for me, but the side effects include severe dissociation and...well, overall I feel extraordinarily drunk – more so than I have ever felt, and I have extensive experience feeling drunk as a younger yagr. Anywho, there is a medical necessity for this treatment so I'm not beating myself up for the whole taking of intoxicants but, I am wondering if I am making good use of the time trying to practice breathing meditation while sequestered for two hours in the doctor's office. It's certainly more difficult, to be sure – but it lessens the dissociation and feelings of drunkedness significantly. So, is meditating while impaired counter-indicated if the 'impaired' can't be helped?
Thank you and I hope everyone is doing well.
Comments
With the title I wasn't sure what this would be
With the legs I might play it cautious and do some walking meditation shortly after my legs had felt numb. I have experience with that in the past and I would stretch them out until enough feeling was back that I trust standing on them and then do walking meditation. You might be able to adjust posture or try: chair, zafu cushion, or other options for meditation.
I think it's a great idea to do mindful breathing while under the influence of your medical treatment. I'd actually say that I'm somewhat critical of meditation practices that are only held as meaningful when you feel at ease. Idealy I think meditation should be something that you can practice with when you are not feeling at your best such as when you have to have medical treatments.
Hello yagr
If you are suffering circulation difficulties because of your choice of a meditation posture then you should either get that position checked by a qualified meditation teacher or you should try another position that doesn't cause those difficulties. (Higher cushions, better positioning on those cushions, thicker zabuton, Burmese, seiza, bench, thinner clothing, Chair?)
Long term circulation difficulties deprive the cells downstream of oxygen and depending on the severity and length of time of that restriction will result in their decline and eventual cell death.
Restrictive blood flow can also facilitate the creation of blood clots which can be a deadly circumstance to be casual about. So yeah ...permanent damage is possible while also probably being completely un necessary.
The second bit about meditating while feeling intoxicated can be a bit controversial in a number of schools. (mostly around selling the wine of delusion or not being respectful enough of the meditation practice to be sober when you're doing it).
Because I can practice no where else except within this present nano second, I subscribe to attempting to do so in whatever circumstances are occurring right now.
If we only learn how to meditate when all conditions are ideal, how will that possible help prepare us to do likewise when conditions are less than ideal ......like when we are medicated and dying. How much of our life circumstances are ever actually ideal anyway.
Plus in your circumstances its a medically induced feeling of drunkenness so it can't even be said that you are encouraging drunken behavior's by meditating with it.
I also think that if you set up a specific time everyday for when you will formally meditate then you should just meditate then regardless of whether you happen to be mad/ sad/ sick/ healthy/happy/ depressed/ sleepy/ stimulated/ drunk or alert because it all has something to teach you when you are prepared to simply face it as it is.
Thank you both for your help.
Sounds like a plan - as soon as the quarantine ends then. Thanks.
...thinner clothing? You mean we're supposed to be dressed?? j/k I do use the Burmese position but nevertheless, anything beyond thirty minutes and it usually becomes an issue. But right - back to getting my position checked by a qualified meditation teacher.
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Absolutely - and this I do, in the mornings. I've just been adding another session in during those appointments.
Also, its good to see you check in. You have health, and other life problems, and I as I'm sure many others here like to know you're still hanging around. It sounds like things have maybe stabilized and even improved some?
David Brazier, the founder of Amida Shu Pure Land in the UK, suffered a deep vein thrombosis which was attributed to long periods meditating in lotus.
Meditating in a chair is meditating - I found it a highly beneficial switch for the quality of my meditations. It’s far more comfortable. I realised Burmese etc., was really just me playing to a non existent gallery.
Do what feels comfortable.
Hi @yagr . Nothing to add, topic-wise; you have stirling advice already. But it's nice to see you back with us. Hope you are well and feeling good, with everything that's happening in your life. Thanks for checking in. It's always nice to see members return after any absence...
I always think @yagr must be dead ...
How does he survive the incredible Mara death duck ... eh dukha?
Resilience and our blessings and prayers
Never give up, never surrender
Fuck Mara/Death in the Ass, Use Trump Headed dildo/vajra if required ...
(here to help - Tantra iz severe/wrathful)
Yet the One Who Has Qualities, Marks, and Splendor
Keeps his mind unshaken, like Mount Meru.
He sees all phenomena as illusion,
Like a dream, and like clouds.
Since he sees them in this manner that accords with the Dharma,
He meditates steadfastly, established in the Dharma.
Whoever thinks of “me” and “mine”
And clings to objects and the body,
Should be afraid and terrified,
Since they are in the clutches of ignorance.
The Daughters and Suns of the Śākyas realize the essential truth
That all phenomena arise in dependence and lack reality.
With a mind like the Sky, he is just fine,
Unperturbed by the spectacle of the army of rogues.
https://buddhaweekly.com/transforming-demons-get-thee-behind-me-mara-how-buddhism-handles-demons-from-mindfulness-meditation-to-transformation-but-no-exorcisms/
Warm greetings to you as well. It's good to see you posting.
@How said it better than I could but I wanted to add that my posture is a kind of kneeling with my butt parked on my heels except my cushion goes between them. It really helps with the joints and takes the self made physical distraction away. Any mudras I choose to use work well with wrists on thighs and feels very natural.
I can't think of a better way to pass the time, really.
Same.