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Arrive Early, Sit Awake: Practical Remedies for Meditation Drowsiness
Arrive one or two minutes before the bell for sitting meditation or a Dharma talk, enter silently, sit upright with relaxed alertness, and do not allow latecomers after the first bell. A person may be posted at the door to ensure no one disturbs the Sangha during practice.
Sleepiness in sitting meditation can stem from
- insufficient sleep;
- improper eating (timing, quantity);
- a practice that feels uninteresting;
- the body’s reaction to forced or excessive sitting.
To overcome sleepiness:
• ensure enough rest and proper meals;
• make sitting engaging by using guided exercises from The Blooming of a Lotus;
• plan each session in a Kung Fu practice notebook, choosing exercises suited to your needs;
• if drowsy, bow and move to touch the earth or kneel at the altar briefly;
• practice slow walking or breathe–massage each finger;
• once posture falters, lightly touch the shoulder to sit up straight and awake.
Every moment—chewing food, washing your face, breathing, walking—is an opportunity to be fully present, to discover peace and freedom here and now, and to nourish the happiness that sustains both practice and Sangha.
