<p>Some modern schools of meditation observe physical pain however I have not read about this kind of practise in the Pali scriptures. The Pali scriptures recommend the practise of Anapanasati &amp; jhana (pleasant abiding), where vipassana occurs as a natural result.</p>

<p>Impermanence &amp; not-self happens with everything, including the in &amp; out breathing. The more calm &amp; clear the mind is, the more it can observe impermanence &amp; not-self, which is <em>vipassana</em>  ('clear seeing of reality').</p>

<p>I advise sitting posture should always be comfortable, with a naturally erect spine. If a person cannot sit crossed-legged on a floor with comfort then kneel or sit on a stool. </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/sPnkX.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/sPnkX.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-13T10:31:02.640Z
2017-01-13T10:31:02.640Z
Dhamma Dhatu
<blockquote>
  <p>then i was thinking am i observing this pain,</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Thinking as such is creates verbal <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sa%E1%B9%85kh%C4%81ra" rel="nofollow noreferrer">fabrications</a>. The objective is reduce fabrications. You should look as the sensations arising and passing without creating any craving and aversion. There can be no verbalisation, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conceptual_proliferation" rel="nofollow noreferrer">intellectualisation</a> (thinking and pondering), visualisation, etc.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>or am i bearing it</p>
</blockquote>

<p>You should just passively observe and not suppress it by diverting your attention to more pleasant thoughts. If this is what you mean by bearing it then, yes, you are bearing it.</p>

<p>If you want you can try breathing meditation if the pain is unbearable in your body. This is fine. You should always limit are diverted to either <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anapanasati" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Ānāpānasati</a> or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satipatthana" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Satipaṭṭhāna</a> and between them. You should always be calm.</p>

<p>Also use the pain as a tool to reduce latent tendency (see: <a href="http://www.themindingcentre.org/dharmafarer/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/31.3-Anusaya.-piya.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Anusaya</a> by Piya Tan) of aversion by not rejecting or being averse for the painful feeling.</p>

<blockquote>
  <blockquote>
    <p>the latent tendency to aversion reinforced by rejecting painful feelings</p>
  </blockquote>
</blockquote>

<p><a href="http://www.themindingcentre.org/dharmafarer/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/31.1-Pahana-S-s36.3-piya.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Pahāna Sutta</a></p>

<p>This also does not mean you should stay with the painful sensations only as you will miss the more subtle sensation but they need to be also felt.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>I could not move my left toe every single time</p>
</blockquote>

<p>This happens but perhaps as a beginner you could try using a small chair or cushion if this might help.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-13T09:09:21.650Z
whats fabrication ?

I was trying to look at sensation, but it is pain, Does it pratically means you are asking me to overlook pain, or if i can focus on breath and remove my focus from leg ?
Ritesh.mlk
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-13T09:12:10.147Z
I added a link. It is called [Saṅkhāra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sa%E1%B9%85kh%C4%81ra)
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-13T09:16:28.307Z
Okay i get it, just one Query.

Focus should be to remain calm in response to pain, or should i move mind to breath or something else, till the negative moment goes away
Ritesh.mlk
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-13T09:16:28.340Z
Added more information on removing focus also.
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-13T09:04:26.767Z
2017-01-13T12:42:32.310Z
2018-08-14T22:06:13.773Z
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
<p>Yesterday I was practicing Vipassana, In starting I observed everything as neutral, then everything was positive, then after 30 minutes, my left leg started hurting badly, i observed it as just negative for 5-7 minutes, then i was thinking am i observing this pain, or am i bearing it ?, whats the difference ? then i gave up. </p>

<p>  I could not move my left toe every single time, after Vipassana, i sit in Sukhasan.  Kindly help and suggest me for betterment.</p>

<vipassana><meditation-practicalities>
Am I Bearing the pain or observing it, When my leg hurts during Vipassana?
# Am I Bearing the pain or observing it, When my leg hurts during Vipassana?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-01-13)

Yesterday I was practicing Vipassana, In starting I observed everything as neutral, then everything was positive, then after 30 minutes, my left leg started hurting badly, i observed it as just negative for 5-7 minutes, then i was thinking am i observing this pain, or am i bearing it ?, whats the difference ? then i gave up.

  I could not move my left toe every single time, after Vipassana, i sit in Sukhasan.  Kindly help and suggest me for betterment.

**Tags:** vipassana, meditation-practicalities


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2017-01-13. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

> then i was thinking am i observing this pain,

Thinking as such is creates verbal [fabrications](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sa%E1%B9%85kh%C4%81ra). The objective is reduce fabrications. You should look as the sensations arising and passing without creating any craving and aversion. There can be no verbalisation, [intellectualisation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conceptual_proliferation) (thinking and pondering), visualisation, etc.

> or am i bearing it

You should just passively observe and not suppress it by diverting your attention to more pleasant thoughts. If this is what you mean by bearing it then, yes, you are bearing it.

If you want you can try breathing meditation if the pain is unbearable in your body. This is fine. You should always limit are diverted to either [Ānāpānasati](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anapanasati) or [Satipaṭṭhāna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satipatthana) and between them. You should always be calm.

Also use the pain as a tool to reduce latent tendency (see: [Anusaya](http://www.themindingcentre.org/dharmafarer/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/31.3-Anusaya.-piya.pdf) by Piya Tan) of aversion by not rejecting or being averse for the painful feeling.

> > the latent tendency to aversion reinforced by rejecting painful feelings

[Pahāna Sutta](http://www.themindingcentre.org/dharmafarer/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/31.1-Pahana-S-s36.3-piya.pdf)

This also does not mean you should stay with the painful sensations only as you will miss the more subtle sensation but they need to be also felt.

> I could not move my left toe every single time

This happens but perhaps as a beginner you could try using a small chair or cushion if this might help.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: whats fabrication ?  I was trying to look at sensation, but it is pain, Does it pratically means you are asking me to overlook pain, or if i can focus on breath and remove my focus from leg ?  
> **username_2**: I added a link. It is called [Saṅkhāra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sa%E1%B9%85kh%C4%81ra)  
> **username_0**: Okay i get it, just one Query.  Focus should be to remain calm in response to pain, or should i move mind to breath or something else, till the negative moment goes away  
> **username_2**: Added more information on removing focus also.  

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### Answer by username_1 on 2017-01-13. Score: 1

Some modern schools of meditation observe physical pain however I have not read about this kind of practise in the Pali scriptures. The Pali scriptures recommend the practise of Anapanasati & jhana (pleasant abiding), where vipassana occurs as a natural result.

Impermanence & not-self happens with everything, including the in & out breathing. The more calm & clear the mind is, the more it can observe impermanence & not-self, which is *vipassana* ('clear seeing of reality').

I advise sitting posture should always be comfortable, with a naturally erect spine. If a person cannot sit crossed-legged on a floor with comfort then kneel or sit on a stool.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/sPnkX.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/sPnkX.jpg)


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