Ask an AT

October 2018

Question: Does it really make a difference if I do my second sitting at 1pm instead of after 5pm? 

Answer: It’s always better to meditate a little later in the day if you can, but now and then if you must do it earlier, then it’s fine. The idea is that we’re generating sankharas all day, and it’s nice to wait a little later in the day to do our second sit to deal with some of them before we end our day.  

Question: I have a quick question: are menstrual cramps sankharas? I sometimes get such intense pain that I can’t even meditate, even though I know that’s probably exactly what I need to be doing. It might help on my stamina to know if they’re sankharas or not. 

Answer: It sounds like you are having difficulty dealing with some very gross sensations. Whether a specific sensation is due to some past sankhara or some present physical difficulty, we work with them in the same way. As best we can, we work to observe the reality of the present situation – whether it is unpleasant or pleasant – and develop equanimity with whatever we are experiencing in the present moment. Sometimes with intense pain this can be very challenging as our habit pattern is to react to these sensations with strong aversion. As you said, trying to meditate even when you are having this experience can bring great benefit. This is an opportunity to build equanimity and a deeper understanding of impermanence with this type of experience–one that you’ve dealt with countless times in the past and likely will experience countless times in the future. 

When you meditate, if you find the pain overpowering, try working with Anapana (awareness of the breath) for awhile until the mind starts calming. When the mind calms return to scanning the body – head to feet and feet to head. As you’re moving your attention through your body, it’s important to not stay too long on the area where you are experiencing the menstrual cramps. If you find you can maintain some equanimity, you can stay in that area a couple minutes observing the sensation (how far it radiates, if there an area of more intensity, how it is changing, etc.) but then be sure to keep moving your attention, don’t get stuck there.

And most importantly, keep trying. This practice is a very powerful tool for helping us deal with the unwanted things that come in life – whether they are physical pain or some other unwanted experience. Keep developing your practice and building your wisdom, and slowly your ability to face this type of experience with equanimity will grow.

Keep trying to practice two hours/day and returning to sit another course when you have the time available. This will help too.