That's great, Krigs!
Sleepiness is common; I have been known to drift off a bit, and most people do. Our postures are meant to help keep us alert, not really out of any discomfort, just from being upright. Discomfort isn't part of the plan... it just comes along for the ride!
The standard list of "hindrances" that arise when we practice meditation are:
- Agitation, or restlessness
- Sleepiness, or boredom
- Craving, or desire (being preoccupied with wanting something other than what we have)
- Aversion (being preoccupied with our discomfort, or current experience)
- Doubt (having persistent thoughts that all of this is silly, or worthless)
They are pretty much all dealt with the same way: the acronym is RAIN:
Recognize that they are active within our mindsAccept that they are present, without judging them, judging ourselves, or trying to push them awayInvestigate them: what are the thoughts that are going on? What are the physical sensations that go along with them?Non-Identification: keep some healthy distance from them; these phenomena, like everything else (all thoughts, cravings, emotions) come and go, arise and pass away. No need to get too closelly identified with them or worried about them.
Sleepiness is a bit of a special case, and sometimes it is helpful to actually stand up for a while, continuing the standard meditation practice of observing the breath... maybe for 1 or 2 minutes, remaining standing... then sit back down...
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