THICH NHAT HANH'S ADVICE ON WHAT TO DO WHEN SITTING MEDITATION IS PHYSICALLY PAINFUL

Some meditation lineages such as Zen stress the importance of not moving once a person is settled into a meditation posture.  This applies even if sitting becomes extremely painful.  I have always felt and taught just the opposite, that if there is significant discomfort a meditator should make the necessary adjustment.  So, I welcomed an insight from Thich Nhat Hanh who feels that trying to meditation while the body is screaming out in pain "seems unnatural."  Here's his advice:

"If your legs or feet fall asleep or begin to hurt during sitting meditation so that your concentration becomes disturbed, feel free to adjust your position.  If you do this slowly and attentively, following your breathing and each movement of your body, you will not lose a single moment of concentration.  If the pain is severe, stand up, walk slowly and mindfully, and when you are ready, sit down again.

In some meditation centers, practitioners are not permitted to move during periods of sitting meditation. They often have to endure great discomfort. To me this seems unnatural.  When a part of our body is numb or in pain, it is telling us something, and we should listen to it. We sit in meditation to help us cultivate peace, joy and nonviolence, not to endure physical strain or to injure our bodies."

(Source:  Peace Is Every Step)