<p>As I inferred in my other post, for me, meditation must bring happiness, which comes from intensive development. </p>

<p>As you posted here: "<em>failing to become any more concentrated <strong>unless on retreat</strong> has become kind of pointless</em>". This shows why retreat is important.</p>

<p>As soon as the sun starts to rise in the morning, I leave my home &amp; go for a long walk in nature. </p>

<p>It certainly sounds like your mind is feeling <em>dukkha</em> today. The Buddhist path does not come easy, unless practised a lot. This is why people become monks &amp; nuns &amp; live in a natural environment. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-18T01:16:16.773Z
Hi dhammadhatu, thank you for your kind words on both my posts. I might start doing the same. Go for a walk and clear my head. I'm fortunate to live very close to the ocean so I went and swam some laps in the tidal pool. My head feels clearer and I feel a bit happier now. Sounds like the monastery was very helpful for you. Maybe I will go and live in a monastery for a while in the near future. I really don't feel like I can cope going through the motions here for much longer.
Arturia
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-18T01:19:16.947Z
Fortunate. I live near the ocean also. It sounds like you have had enough. This could be a signal for a change of lifestyle. I am hoping to return to the monastery soon. I have some physical injuries to repair first, which is doing well, but slowly. Are you in Australia (tidal pools)? With metta.
Dhamma Dhatu
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-18T02:45:21.827Z
Hi yes , I'm in Australia. Northern beaches of Sydney.  Do you have any recommendations as far as monasteries go? Id like to go somewhere very quiet and peaceful. I've heard Burma is noisy and chaotic
Arturia
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-18T07:40:16.847Z
Locally, there is Wat Buddha Dhamma at Wisemans Ferry. I visited for 1 day recently to have a look (when visiting my mother in Sydney) but only walked around since it was pouring rain. I stayed there for 1 week 28 years ago. They are currently promoting Ajahn Sumedho's teachings. Newbury Buddhist Monastery is a new Ajahn Brahm place in Victoria, with Ajahn Jag as the leader, who is a very nice & friendly Aussie man. I have spoken to him before. I am thinking about one of the Ajahn Chah monasteries in New Zealand. In the past (1990s), I practised in Thailand. Regards
Dhamma Dhatu
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-18T01:09:33.010Z
2017-04-18T01:09:33.010Z
Dhamma Dhatu
<p>Don't stress yourself trying to do those meditations uselessly. Just try out this:  you just focus on your day to day activities with a good comprehension and awareness. In short be concious when doing things. That inhaling -exhaling meditation is just a basic and elememtry meditation which was taught for beginners. Just try iut what i explained.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-05T16:25:35.780Z
2017-05-05T16:25:35.780Z
I_am_feminist
<p>If you struggle with sitting and meditating then don't sit and meditate. That can come in time. There are more ways of meditating.</p>

<p>Myself, I like to go for a walk. </p>

<p>Walking meditation is an important practice, and is commonly interspersed between sitting meditation.</p>

<p>In walking meditation I like to stroll slowly. It may just be around the room, or around the garden, or even a longer distance walk - it's up to you, whatever you feel comfortable with. Focus on every action you perform while walking. The feel of the floor under your feet as you set them down. The movement of the muscles as you move your arms and legs. The feel of the air against your skin. The sound of the birds singing. Oh, and your breathing of course. The feel of the air passing your lips...</p>

<p>It's all calming the mind and bringing you thoughts back within yourself. You don't have to sit in the lotus position and go "Om".</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-18T12:50:27.217Z
2017-04-18T12:50:27.217Z
Majenko
<p>If you're experiencing physical and mental problems, it could very well be lack of nutrients, exercise and sleep. I suggest you do a quick check on these. You might find this book very helpful: <a href="http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/0316113514" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Spark</a></p>

<p>Watching breath without knowing why you're doing is likely to do more harm than good. Anäpänä sathi meditation is supposed to be done with Sammä Ditti. Sammä Ditti is not a simple topic and becomes best understood once you become an arhat. I suggest reading material on Arya / Lokotthara Sammä Ditti before doing any Buddhist practice related to meditation. </p>

<p>Hope your problems are sorted out soon and may your realize the Four Noble Truths soon through the Noble Eightfold Path. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-19T00:08:24.107Z
2017-04-19T00:08:24.107Z
Ravindranath Akila
<p>Renunciation! There must be renunciation from the bottom of your heart before you can be easy on your meditation.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-06T15:39:52.773Z
2017-05-06T15:39:52.773Z
tutu
<blockquote>
  <p>I usually feel heavy and drowsy.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>This is Slot and Toper. You should overcome this and other <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_hindrances" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Hindrances</a>. Many of the techniques are found in: </p>

<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/nyanaponika/wheel026.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">The Five Mental Hindrances and Their Conquest Selected Texts from the Pali Canon and the Commentaries</a> compiled and translated by Nyanaponika Thera</li>
<li><a href="http://www.themindingcentre.org/dharmafarer/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/32.1-Nivarana.-piya.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Nīvaraṇa</a> by Piya Tan</li>
<li><a href="http://www.themindingcentre.org/dharmafarer/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/32.6-Thinamiddha-piya.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Thīna,middha</a> by Piya Tan [these might also be interesting: <a href="http://www.themindingcentre.org/dharmafarer/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/32.5-Vyapada-piya.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Vyāpāda</a>, <a href="http://www.themindingcentre.org/dharmafarer/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/32.7-Uddhaccakukkucca-piya.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Uddhacca,kukkucca</a>, <a href="http://www.themindingcentre.org/dharmafarer/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/32.8-Vicikiccha-piya.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Vicikicchā</a>, <a href="http://www.themindingcentre.org/dharmafarer/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/32.2-Kamacchanda-piya.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Kāma-c,chanda</a> by the same author]</li>
</ul>

<blockquote>
  <p>...  Feeling intense Dukkha today.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>When you do not achieve spiritual goals unsatisfactoriness may arise. [<a href="http://www.themindingcentre.org/dharmafarer/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/29.5-Salayatana-Vibhanga-S-m137-piya.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Sal,āyatana Vibhanga Sutta</a>] Best is try to keep you mind and practice steady. Also see if you are putting too much effect leading to restless worry. Also do not measure progress too often. Just do what needs to be done, i.e., just practice!</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-18T03:10:36.383Z
Yes may be sloth and torpor or could just be tiredness and boredom
Arturia
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-18T03:24:59.793Z
Tiredness and boredom is a symptom of  sloth and torpor
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-18T02:59:13.543Z
2017-04-18T06:52:21.467Z
2018-08-14T22:06:13.773Z
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
<p>When I wake up in the morning I don't feel like meditating straight away. I usually feel heavy and drowsy. So I have some breakfast and coffee and then I will sit. This morning I tried to sit for an hour as soon as I woke up but it was really difficult. My mind was not clear at all. Not sure I was thinking about anything in particular but I felt cloudy and uncomfortable with strong cravings to go back to sleep. I was so uncomfortable that I decided to open my eyes at 45 minutes. </p>

<p>My meditation feels like a struggle a lot lately. I feel like I've kind of lost touch with why I'm doing it. It feels like a bit of a chore. Sitting there day in and day out watching the breath for years and years but failing to become any more concentrated unless on retreat has become kind of pointless. Does anyone else feel like this? </p>

<p>I was hoping that after all this time that maybe something would change in my life and I might see more clearly about how I cause myself suffering, that I would have "insights" but it seems to just be this endless watching the breath, thinking, watching the breath, thinking.  I'm not sure if maybe I'm expecting too much but it doesn't feel like I'm gaining any benefit for the amount of time I put in to it so then I start thinking that I'm doing it wrong etc. I can't believe that after 6 years I'm still thinking/feeling this way. Feeling intense Dukkha today.</p>

<meditation>
Meditation is a struggle
# Meditation is a struggle

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-04-17)

When I wake up in the morning I don't feel like meditating straight away. I usually feel heavy and drowsy. So I have some breakfast and coffee and then I will sit. This morning I tried to sit for an hour as soon as I woke up but it was really difficult. My mind was not clear at all. Not sure I was thinking about anything in particular but I felt cloudy and uncomfortable with strong cravings to go back to sleep. I was so uncomfortable that I decided to open my eyes at 45 minutes.

My meditation feels like a struggle a lot lately. I feel like I've kind of lost touch with why I'm doing it. It feels like a bit of a chore. Sitting there day in and day out watching the breath for years and years but failing to become any more concentrated unless on retreat has become kind of pointless. Does anyone else feel like this?

I was hoping that after all this time that maybe something would change in my life and I might see more clearly about how I cause myself suffering, that I would have "insights" but it seems to just be this endless watching the breath, thinking, watching the breath, thinking. I'm not sure if maybe I'm expecting too much but it doesn't feel like I'm gaining any benefit for the amount of time I put in to it so then I start thinking that I'm doing it wrong etc. I can't believe that after 6 years I'm still thinking/feeling this way. Feeling intense Dukkha today.

**Tags:** meditation


---

## 6 answers

### Answer by username_6 on 2017-04-18. Score: 4

> I usually feel heavy and drowsy.

This is Slot and Toper. You should overcome this and other [Hindrances](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_hindrances). Many of the techniques are found in:

* [The Five Mental Hindrances and Their Conquest Selected Texts from the Pali Canon and the Commentaries](http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/nyanaponika/wheel026.html) compiled and translated by Nyanaponika Thera
* [Nīvaraṇa](http://www.themindingcentre.org/dharmafarer/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/32.1-Nivarana.-piya.pdf) by Piya Tan
* [Thīna,middha](http://www.themindingcentre.org/dharmafarer/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/32.6-Thinamiddha-piya.pdf) by Piya Tan [these might also be interesting: [Vyāpāda](http://www.themindingcentre.org/dharmafarer/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/32.5-Vyapada-piya.pdf), [Uddhacca,kukkucca](http://www.themindingcentre.org/dharmafarer/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/32.7-Uddhaccakukkucca-piya.pdf), [Vicikicchā](http://www.themindingcentre.org/dharmafarer/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/32.8-Vicikiccha-piya.pdf), [Kāma-c,chanda](http://www.themindingcentre.org/dharmafarer/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/32.2-Kamacchanda-piya.pdf) by the same author]

> ... Feeling intense Dukkha today.

When you do not achieve spiritual goals unsatisfactoriness may arise. [[Sal,āyatana Vibhanga Sutta](http://www.themindingcentre.org/dharmafarer/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/29.5-Salayatana-Vibhanga-S-m137-piya.pdf)] Best is try to keep you mind and practice steady. Also see if you are putting too much effect leading to restless worry. Also do not measure progress too often. Just do what needs to be done, i.e., just practice!

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Yes may be sloth and torpor or could just be tiredness and boredom  
> **username_6**: Tiredness and boredom is a symptom of  sloth and torpor  

---

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-04-18. Score: 1

As I inferred in my other post, for me, meditation must bring happiness, which comes from intensive development.

As you posted here: "*failing to become any more concentrated **unless on retreat** has become kind of pointless*". This shows why retreat is important.

As soon as the sun starts to rise in the morning, I leave my home & go for a long walk in nature.

It certainly sounds like your mind is feeling *dukkha* today. The Buddhist path does not come easy, unless practised a lot. This is why people become monks & nuns & live in a natural environment.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Hi dhammadhatu, thank you for your kind words on both my posts. I might start doing the same. Go for a walk and clear my head. I'm fortunate to live very close to the ocean so I went and swam some laps in the tidal pool. My head feels clearer and I feel a bit happier now. Sounds like the monastery was very helpful for you. Maybe I will go and live in a monastery for a while in the near future. I really don't feel like I can cope going through the motions here for much longer.  
> **username_1**: Fortunate. I live near the ocean also. It sounds like you have had enough. This could be a signal for a change of lifestyle. I am hoping to return to the monastery soon. I have some physical injuries to repair first, which is doing well, but slowly. Are you in Australia (tidal pools)? With metta.  
> **username_0**: Hi yes , I'm in Australia. Northern beaches of Sydney.  Do you have any recommendations as far as monasteries go? Id like to go somewhere very quiet and peaceful. I've heard Burma is noisy and chaotic  
> **username_1**: Locally, there is Wat Buddha Dhamma at Wisemans Ferry. I visited for 1 day recently to have a look (when visiting my mother in Sydney) but only walked around since it was pouring rain. I stayed there for 1 week 28 years ago. They are currently promoting Ajahn Sumedho's teachings. Newbury Buddhist Monastery is a new Ajahn Brahm place in Victoria, with Ajahn Jag as the leader, who is a very nice & friendly Aussie man. I have spoken to him before. I am thinking about one of the Ajahn Chah monasteries in New Zealand. In the past (1990s), I practised in Thailand. Regards  

---

### Answer by username_2 on 2017-05-05. Score: 1

Don't stress yourself trying to do those meditations uselessly. Just try out this: you just focus on your day to day activities with a good comprehension and awareness. In short be concious when doing things. That inhaling -exhaling meditation is just a basic and elememtry meditation which was taught for beginners. Just try iut what i explained.


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2017-04-18. Score: 1

If you struggle with sitting and meditating then don't sit and meditate. That can come in time. There are more ways of meditating.

Myself, I like to go for a walk.

Walking meditation is an important practice, and is commonly interspersed between sitting meditation.

In walking meditation I like to stroll slowly. It may just be around the room, or around the garden, or even a longer distance walk - it's up to you, whatever you feel comfortable with. Focus on every action you perform while walking. The feel of the floor under your feet as you set them down. The movement of the muscles as you move your arms and legs. The feel of the air against your skin. The sound of the birds singing. Oh, and your breathing of course. The feel of the air passing your lips...

It's all calming the mind and bringing you thoughts back within yourself. You don't have to sit in the lotus position and go "Om".


---

### Answer by username_4 on 2017-04-19. Score: 1

If you're experiencing physical and mental problems, it could very well be lack of nutrients, exercise and sleep. I suggest you do a quick check on these. You might find this book very helpful: [Spark](http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/0316113514)

Watching breath without knowing why you're doing is likely to do more harm than good. Anäpänä sathi meditation is supposed to be done with Sammä Ditti. Sammä Ditti is not a simple topic and becomes best understood once you become an arhat. I suggest reading material on Arya / Lokotthara Sammä Ditti before doing any Buddhist practice related to meditation.

Hope your problems are sorted out soon and may your realize the Four Noble Truths soon through the Noble Eightfold Path.


---

### Answer by username_5 on 2017-05-06. Score: 0

Renunciation! There must be renunciation from the bottom of your heart before you can be easy on your meditation.


---

