Dhamma Wheel Buddhist Forum

Hello All,

It appears I've come down with the flu and anapanasati is down right impossible with clogged nasal passages. Anyone have any suggestions for a different technique until i can return to the breath?

Hi Khalil Bodhi

Besides breath, I meditate on ponding raindrops when the occasion arises, or a flickering candle. Breath is not a necessity for meditation but basically just a concentration anchor. Sometimes, I simply recollect the last meditation until the same tranquility establishes. Also check out these 39 meditation objects other than breath. Get well soon!

Khalil Bodhi wrote:Hello All,

It appears I've come down with the flu and anapanasati is down right impossible with clogged nasal passages. Anyone have any suggestions for a different technique until i can return to the breath?

Hi
I've tried using a spot on the wall, it's just another object to use to clear your mind of other things. Not tried a flickering candle, but anything like that could be used I'm sure.
Good luck and get well soon.
with metta
Graham

Hi Khalil,

Do you have access to a teacher who has been instructing you? If so, the best idea would be to ask that person.

Otherwise, you might also consider watching the breath through some other tactile evidence of it, such as the rising and falling of the chest, or the sensation of wind moving through the throat. Fortunately, you're still breathing. As long as you have breath, it can continue to be your object.

What everyone else said is good, too.

Hello Jechbi,

I do have a teacher that I work with regularly and I will put the question to him if I remember the next time I see him. You are right, of course, about the breath. Regardless, of where I feel it, it will be there. I suppose it was just a lack of energy and a desire to find an "easier" object that led me to pose the question. Thanks for all the replies.

Metta

It appears I've come down with the flu and anapanasati is down right impossible with clogged nasal passages. Anyone have any suggestions for a different technique until i can return to the breath?

Don't get locked into technique. Pay attention to the rise and fall of the discomfort and what goes with it. At first it is hard to do, but it can be done.

Tiltbillings,

Excellent advice! I will definitely give it a try.

Greetings,

Yes, tilt's advice is good. In fact that's what I've been doing over the last 30 or hours after my little punk kid gave me his germs.

Metta,
Retro.

Retro,

Yeah, it seems I caught the bug from my own rug rat as well. Hope you're feeling better!

Metta,

Mike

Greetings Mike,

Well not quite yet, but slowly getting better over the last 24 hours or so.

Metta,
Retro.

AHA!

So there is a weakness to singularly practicing anapansati compared to the themed meditation -- my favorite is Buddha anusati...it is perfect for any time of illness.

When I had the flu -- I generally stopped breath focusing when sick-- it is painful since your lungs are directly affected, besides the sinus --

When I had the flu last, I was just starting out with Buddhism, I was almost about to pass out in the bathroom with weakness (I hardly ate anything for days) -- I did Buddha anusati and regained consciousness and strength after only 1 repetition -- and just walked out and lay down without losing consciousness.

I also recovered later much quicker from colds -- the triple gem recollections seems to bring about a balance to the system.

Meditation on the Triple Gem recollections alongside anapanasati and learning these recollections by heart should certainly be worth the time for any Buddhist.

(I hope you are feeling much better now by the way! Flus suck!)

rise and fall of the abdomen...

sometimes i do anapana open mouthed... the breath is still going in and out..

It is also possible to direct bare attention to body sensations as they arise. The tongue on the palate, the pressure of the bottom on the seat, or back , bottom and back of legs when lying down etc. The attention can go from head to toe..

Thought it might be worth bumping this thread in view of all of the swine flu sufferers currently sneezing and sweating in the UK.

The Swine Flu came and went here in NYC but all the advice given will be useful when the flu season makes it's return this winter. Sabbe sattaa sabba dukkha pamuccantu!

Mike