0 votes
by (130 points)
If someone has a physical health problem such as bowel disease and has the main symptom of not being able to concentrate how should a person deal with this symptom in order to prevent them from being unproductive?

1 Answer

+1 vote
by (8.5k points)
Our practice is not so interested in being productive. We're more interested in seeing things clearly so that we can end the habits that create suffering.

For anyone, including those with illnesses, we recommend starting here: https://www.sirimangalo.org/text/how-to-meditate/
by (130 points)
What would you suggest to a person who is unable to see things clearly unable to function (and even form habits) due to being in a state of emaciation from malnutrition?
by (8.5k points)
I would suggest they eat and seek medical attention. If the body is sick it is difficult to practice mindfulness.
by (130 points)
What would you suggest if the person has sought medical attention and also has a habit of restricting what he is eating in the hope that he would be healed from his disease/illness?
by (130 points)
In the link where you recommend starting [https://www.sirimangalo.org/text/how-to-meditate/] there is a video link [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mH2sEqrCza4&list=PL603BD0B03E12F5A1&index=3] where yuttadhammo says in sitting meditation one should say "rising" and "falling" according to the breadth, but he also says lots of other instructions according to the mental states such as one should say "pain" when in pain and "happy" when happy. Don't you think that it can be difficult for a beginner to try to mentally say so many different mental states when he is in them?
by (8.5k points)
You can't force someone to change their ways.

Regarding the meditation instructions: it may be difficult at first but with practice it becomes doable.
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