meditating when ill

[larorra]

Anyone have any tips to help meditate when feeling unwell, with flu symptoms? I tried meditating yesterday with a busting headache and feeling hot and cold and couldn't manage it

[One Aware]

You could try asking yourself, "Feeling as I do, how can I be most kind to myself in this moment?" If the answer comes back to you with something like; "I think I should lie down and rest for a few hours." Then that is perhaps the best thing for you to do for yourself at the time.

[Gareth]

How long have you been meditating? I remember this being a problem at the beginning, but it's not really a problem to me now. For me meditation is simply about fixing your attention in the present moment, letting thoughts go when they come. I can be pretty ill and still do this.

[larorra]

I have only been meditating a couple of months. Will perservere thanks for the reply

[Gordo]

I've actually got a bit of a cold just now (the usual: sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, coughing...) but the MIndfulness book I'm following a the moment: Mindfulness: Finding Peace in a Frantic World has got me doing 4 meditations this week. 3 of them are 8 mins in length and I did them at lunchtime today and felt really still and relaxed afterwards.

I've only been practising for about 7 weeks and I wondered how mindfulness would help with my cold, but for me it did! Its just about accepting the body the way it actually is.

[larorra]

iSounds like me & you been meditating abo
ut the same length if time gordo. I have only started meditating each day for last couple of weeks. Some days easier than others.

[rara]

Yeah, I always have problems when I'm trying to breathe through the nose! Funny how if you persist, your calmness will help create a gateway here.

There are healing meditations too. The most basic of all, run a steaming hot bath with the windows and door closed with a few drops of Eucalyptus oil (avoid if pregnant). This will create a steam room effect. Add cold water at the end, just enough so that you can sit in the bath comfortably. Lie there and feel yourself breathing in the fumes, and concentrate on your body as every limb's temperature rises. Chinese music in the background works quite well. And candles if it's night time :)

Remember, it's NOT an endurance test. At any given moment if you start to feel dizzy or uncomfortable, your time is done. wrap up warm as soon as you get out!

I have other healing meditations, but this one is good as a starting point.

[larorra]

Thats a great idea Rara. I take showers more than baths but Will def. Try it out. An excellent setting for meditating!

[rara]

Let us know how it goes :)

[larorra]

Does toothache rate as ill? Will it is PAIN! While experiencing sharp toothache in the early hours last night i decided to give meditating a go. I haven't dealt well with pain and meditating in the past. So i went with the breaths and imagined myself outside my body looking at it observing the pain and realised although mdy was experiencing pain I am not the pain, I'm care Free dancing and running through fields and there is no pain. That worked for me when i relaxed and stayed with the breathing it eased off. The cinnamon paste applied to my gums may have been a help too
The more i practice athe better i am coping with problems life throws at me, before when i get to Many problems i felt overwhelmed and panicky now i cope with things more calmly. At least most of the time. Hey nobodys perfect!