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Q-10: Venerable Sir, I heard many people saying: "meditation can cure physical illness." Can meditation be medication? Can you explain how  meditation can  cure physical illness?

Metta,

Tzu Chi

Q-10: I would say that this is possible. But one should not do meditation simply  to treat physical  illness. S. N. Goenka, the vipassana meditation master is a perfect example. I’d like to suggest  that you read  his biography.

Recently, I was told by  a Singaporean meditator that he had been having problems with his hands. His hands were shaky and could not hold anything  firmly. He tried  many medical treatments yet his condition did not improve. However, after taking up meditation for two months, he was amazed that his condition has  improved  and he no longer has any problems with both his hands.  I was glad to hear this.

Why  is it that meditation has such positive curative effect?

The main reason is the concentration and the meditation object. One of the Four Meditation  object  is feeling.  Feeling can  be classified into two, that is physical and mental. Physical  illnesses are, in fact, physical unpleasant feelings.  Therefore, if one’s concentration is  strong and intense enough , it can impact one’s physical unpleasant feeling . Consequently, it is possible to recover from  the illness. We all agree that  the mental strength has some influence on  the physical condition. When the mind is pure and powerful, it will  generate positive results on  the physical weaknesses.  Therefore, my answer to this question is "yes" and I would certainly encourage you to do meditition if you can as a therapy as well.

With Metta,

U Cittara

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     Dhamma Questions are answered by Bhante U Cittara, resident monk of Mangala Vihara, and his assistant monks. Questions and comments on given answers are welcome. Send your questions and comments to resident_monk@mangalavihara.org.sg.