By: Chan Master Sheng Yen
When trying to relax, most people either become too lax, leading them to sink into dullness, or try too hard, resulting in a tense or scattered mind. Relaxing does not mean that the body becomes slack and the mind becomes lazy; it means that your whole being is in repose, wholeheartedly and single-mindedly aware of itself just sitting. Without relaxing it would be difficult to gain power from this practice. A comfortable posture will help you be at ease. While sitting you may feel discomfort, pain, or soreness. In this instance, to relax does not mean you should just go slack. Take this opportunity to become fully aware of your body as a whole. Do not focus on or localize any parts that give you pain. Instead, see them in the context of your total-body awareness. You know that in this whole body there is an area that is painful, but you can be detached from the pain. Being detached from your pain means that you are aware of but not bothered by it. But you must know this very clearly while maintaining your correct posture. If you maintain this attitude, your awareness of the discomfort will recede. This is how to relax.
If underlying your awareness of your body there is also an understanding of impermanence, you will gain insight into sensations as they rise, abide, and fall away of their own accord. In fact, feelings of pain are opportunities to regulate and attune your mind. These phenomena are there for you to develop your mind. Do not try to escape or give in to them; rather, make full use of them.
From The Method of No-Method: The Chan Practice of Silent Illumination