Answers to Questions on the Contemplative Practice of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness 38

Question: What should I do if my head feels like it's about to split from pain during meditation? 

Answer: This is a reaction that occurs when the qi channels reach the head and the qi and blood in the head are somewhat blocked, unable to break through. You can take slightly deep breaths while silently recollecting the Buddha in your mind, visualizing golden Buddha-light shining upon your head, expelling the qi of disease and obstruction, allowing the qi and blood to flow smoothly. Then the head is immersed in golden Buddha-light, and the blackish-gray karmic obstruction qi all dissipates. Afterward, carefully feel the coolness in your head. Once the head feels cool, take a few more deep breaths, and after settling down, first remain in meditative concentration; only when you are very stable should you contemplate the breath. 

Question: When contemplating during meditation, there is a friction sound where the airflow passes the junction of the nasal cavity and throat, and then my throat becomes inflamed and never heals. What should I do? 

Answer: That area is blocked and the qi and blood cannot flow through, so inflammation appears. Use the method of deep breathing combined with recollection of the Buddha to treat it; this can open up the passage between the nasal cavity and the throat. You can also pat and scrape (gua sha) the throat area. Sometimes when the mind's attention is overly concentrated, fire gathers there and does not disperse, leading to inflammation from internal heat. In that case, you can shift your contemplative practice to another location, or let the contemplation flow back and forth gently, without concentrating with special force.