I've just begun a meditation class. I feel like it's going to be really amazing for me long-term. My concern is this: I have chronic neck and upper back pain. While I was meditating, I found that sitting still for so long caused my pain to skyrocket-- It was some serious, burning agony. How can I deal with this pain without disturbing others in the class? I have narcotics I can take, but I really, really hate taking them.
This is a Zazen group, and I am not sure if I would be breaking some sort of rule by laying down. The seating can be seen here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zazen
I had one of those neat buckwheat cushions, but still found it to be incredibly painful. I know that we do have the option to use a chair, but will this affect the efficacy of the meditation?
This is a Zazen group, and I am not sure if I would be breaking some sort of rule by laying down. The seating can be seen here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zazen
I had one of those neat buckwheat cushions, but still found it to be incredibly painful. I know that we do have the option to use a chair, but will this affect the efficacy of the meditation?