thank you.
may i further enquire... in brief...
as some of the pain described in the post did not mention anything
about the uncomfortable burning heat experienced in the area
between the chest and stomach for a pregnant woman. also there is
inevitable panting due to pressure from the abdominant speeding up
breath for more oxygen and faster-than-normal heart beats. there
will also be physical fatigue experienced due to the weight of the
baby which will also stretch up the body muscles and other internal
organs and the water retention and that tight, big tummy which will
cause inconvenience to sit down crossed legged in lotus or half
lotus posture for long time. so in such situation, how does a
pregnant woman apply practice in meditation as the sitting position
seem more conveniently catered to people who are not pregnant. (of
cos posture with straight back is always good even for pregnant or
elderly people) and also due to hormonal changes, one can be
temperamental and emotional at times. and also with the movement
& kicking of the baby in the tummy which can be experienced and
felt vividly by the expectant mother, and in the midst of all above
mentioned conditions, how does she cope and practice non-duality
during meditation? the concept of pain is all the same to a certain
degree? i been through these symptoms and discomfort and at some
point of time it was unbearable. another curious question is, when
the mother is meditating and while experiencing some tranquility or
absorption, how does it affect the baby inside? will the baby be
just as healthy and rejuvenated or any danger to it during
absorption? this is the 1st time that i'll be incorporating
meditation into my pregnancy as i have never done any sort of yoga
or any meditation retreat during my previous one. i actually plan
to go into a peaceful retreat and enjoy the quiet moments doing
more meditation besides other balanced healthy activities and do
hope i'll be able to cope better than last time.
is there any special mantra to recite during pregnancy for the
"safety" of the mother and child?
anyway, i remembered coming across something in ksitigarbha sutra
and just found it again. for the benefit of readers, here's an
abstraction from chapter 8:
At that time from within the Iron Ring Mountain, Lord Yama and his
following of infinite ghost kings came before the Buddha in the
Trayastrimsha Heaven.
A ghost king in the assembly named Lord of Life said to the
Buddha,
"When women in Jambudvipa have just borne children, be they boys or
girls, or when they are just about to give birth, good deeds should
be done to increase the benefits of the household, thus causing the
local earth spirits to be immeasurably pleased. The spirits will
then protect the mother and child so that they experience peace and
happiness; they will bring benefit to the entire family.
After the birth, all killing for the purpose of offering fresh meat
to the mother should be carefully avoided, as should parties that
involve consumption of alcohol, eating of meat, singing, and
playing musical instruments. All those things can keep the mother
and child from being peaceful and happy. Why is that?
At the difficult time of birth, uncountable evil ghosts, including
mountain sprites, goblins, and spirit-beings, desire to eat the
strong-smelling blood. I quickly order the local earth spirits of
that household to protect the mother and child, allowing them to be
peaceful and happy and to receive other benefits.
When people in such households witness those benefits, they should
do meritorious deeds to express their gratitude to the earth
spirits. If instead, they harm and kill, and have big parties
involving feasting and entertainment, then the retributions that
result from such offenses will be born by they themselves and will
bring harm to the mother and child as well."
so, i guess the best protection or mantra is still reciting the
buddha's name or any bodhisattva's name or even ksitigarbha's and
of cos doing one's own good deed by the law of causes and
effect.
sorry for keep editing the post. i'm getting a bit fickled-minded.
