I keep straining my mind as I meditate it hurts.

[nameless]

It also continues to hurt after meditation and its worse after than before I started well kind of.

I do half of it right I have strong awareness and I half feel better after the meditation but along with the extra awareness I strain my mind extra too.

How do I not strain my mind as I meditate obviously you are not supposed to use the mind at all but I cant help but use a half way house of extra awareness but also extra mind use as well, and its producing mixed up results.

[nameless]

I suppose im resisting straining which is causing me to solve the problem by straining my mind? (as I focus my awareness at the same time) Its so insidious the way you trip yourself up in seemingly legit ways but they turn out to be self fulfilling rubbish

[JonW]

If you are experiencing pain when meditating, I would advise putting your meditation practice on hold and consulting your GP at the first available opportunity.
Jon