Is it true that one would cough out blood while meditating with their back against something?

[Amituofo]

I heard this from someone but I don't know anything else about this. Sometimes I lack energy or am sick and want or need something to lean on to meditate.
If it's true, does it have to do with how the energy/qi interacts with the thing/wall we're leaning on and is this an issue only in deep or advanced meditation, or simply at any stage?
Also, any sources on this if possible?
I appreciate any help on this. 🙏

[-ꦥꦏ꧀ ꦱꦠꦿꦶꦪꦺꦴ-]

Who told you that? It’s completely false. If you need something to help support your back, use a pillow or lean against the wall or a tree. Nothing will happen except it will help your posture.

[Amituofo]

7 hours ago, Pak_Satrio said:

Who told you that? It’s completely false. If you need something to help support your back, use a pillow or lean against the wall or a tree. Nothing will happen except it will help your posture.

Someone who heard it elsewhere (so I think they're not sure either), but I did read that sitting on concrete to sleep or meditate would lead to arthritis due to its properties and its coldness/dampness. I thought this would be something similar to do with energy/meridians. Also how come meditation with a chair usually tells us not to lie on the back? I was told it was to do with helping to open the meridians/chakras which having support would affect opening it, but I didn't delve into it more. 

Edited August 11, 2023 by Amituofo

[thelerner]

Never heard that. In the traditions I've been involved with beginners can use back support but as you progress, sitting without back support is encouraged.   Sitting for longer periods my sensei would often correct me for 'slouching' my lower back.  Something I often auto-correct these days.  

I've found when I take my blood pressure sitting w/ a slight crouch raises my numbers a bit, where staying relaxed but straighter gives me lower blood pressure.  

 

[Amituofo]

2 hours ago, thelerner said:

I've found when I take my blood pressure sitting w/ a slight crouch raises my numbers a bit, where staying relaxed but straighter gives me lower blood pressure. 

 

What position do you sit in?
And when you mean slight crouch does it mean with the back more hunched?
Also which traditions are you referring to for reference? 🙏

Edited August 11, 2023 by Amituofo

[Nungali]

Yes its true . If you lean against anything while meditating , you will cough up blood and die .

 

and if you sleep on bare concrete it will cold and uncomfortable .

 

and if you do both together  your intelligence and IQ go right out the window !

[-ꦥꦏ꧀ ꦱꦠꦿꦶꦪꦺꦴ-]

5 hours ago, Amituofo said:

I did read that sitting on concrete to sleep or meditate would lead to arthritis due to its properties and its coldness/dampness

What if the concrete is hot and dry?

 

5 hours ago, Amituofo said:

I was told it was to do with helping to open the meridians/chakras which having support would affect opening it

Who is telling you this nonsense?

[Amituofo]

7 hours ago, Pak_Satrio said:

What if the concrete is hot and dry?

 

Who is telling you this nonsense?

A fellow meditator.

I don't know about the concrete being hot and dry, but the example I gave about the concrete leading to arthritis is from TCM (Chinese medicine) from what I've heard. 

Also is there any reason to not use back support while meditating? And why sitting on the floor is preferable to a chair?

 

[-ꦥꦏ꧀ ꦱꦠꦿꦶꦪꦺꦴ-]

3 minutes ago, Amituofo said:

I don't know about the concrete being hot and dry, but the example I gave about the concrete leading to arthritis is from TCM (Chinese medicine) from what I've heard. 

Concrete itself won’t lead to arthritis. ANY cold and damp surface will be bad for you, it’s not the concrete specifically that’s bad. 
 

4 minutes ago, Amituofo said:

Also is there any reason to not use back support while meditating? And why sitting on the floor is preferable to a chair?

There’s no reason at all not to use a back support if you need one. Whatever helps you keep your body relaxed and back straight is good. 
 

The effects of meditation are stronger when you are sitting cross legged on the floor instead of sitting on a chair with your legs uncrossed. It still works in a chair but it won’t be as effective. 

[thelerner]

17 hours ago, Amituofo said:

What position do you sit in?
And when you mean slight crouch does it mean with the back more hunched?
Also which traditions are you referring to for reference? 🙏

Cross legged, when I'm good I sit in half lotus.  On a zafu (cushion) and these days its nice to have a folded blanket under me for my knees.

After 15, 20 minutes my lower back will sag an inch or so, almost imperceptibly but it shows a lack of awareness and energetically might be poor. 

I did 13 years of shin shin toitsu Ki Aikido and we'd have hourly Ki classes that included breathing and meditation.  It'd be that sensei who'd often correct my posture over the years.  As well as try to push me over while meditating but that's an Aikido thing.  I'm also influenced by zen sitting. 

 

Got much out of Stillness Movement qigong, they allow a slight rocking motion from the waist that allows for longer more comfortable sitting.  They also have the hands resting on the body at the dan-tien, which I like.  These days I keep my hands cradled under my shirt.  

 

I assume lay people like myself have quite a bit more slack when it comes to proper monastery rules.  The rules for guys doing 4 to 8 hours of meditation a day, every day are going to be different then the householder.  

 

[Amituofo]

On 8/11/2023 at 11:41 PM, Pak_Satrio said:

Concrete itself won’t lead to arthritis. ANY cold and damp surface will be bad for you, it’s not the concrete specifically that’s bad. 
 

There’s no reason at all not to use a back support if you need one. Whatever helps you keep your body relaxed and back straight is good. 
 

The effects of meditation are stronger when you are sitting cross legged on the floor instead of sitting on a chair with your legs uncrossed. It still works in a chair but it won’t be as effective. 

I see, also regarding sitting with the back straight, what is the purpose? Is it for the qi flow and chakra opening?

What about those with rounded backs / forward head posture due to poor health/energy/airways, are they disadvantaged because they aren't able to sit straight?
Even so, they would still try sitting as naturally straight as possible while focusing on being relaxed, right?

[-ꦥꦏ꧀ ꦱꦠꦿꦶꦪꦺꦴ-]

13 hours ago, Amituofo said:

I see, also regarding sitting with the back straight, what is the purpose? Is it for the qi flow and chakra opening?

Yes

 

13 hours ago, Amituofo said:

What about those with rounded backs / forward head posture due to poor health/energy/airways, are they disadvantaged because they aren't able to sit straight?
Even so, they would still try sitting as naturally straight as possible while focusing on being relaxed, right?

Yes