Sleeping on the floor (the ninth precept)

[David N. Snyder]

When it comes to back pain and joint paint, three main things are neglected:
1) The way you sleep... Sleeping on soft beds is bad.
2) Posture... Slouching is bad.
3) Diet... Obesity is very rough on the spine and the joints, such as the knees and ankles.

Probably right, but when you're 6'7" like Mawkish or my brother-in-law, there's not much you can do about those things.

Try finding a bed for someone over 6'4" it's almost impossible to find. Posture, similar problem and diet, well you need to eat a lot if you're that tall.

[Mawkish1983]

... and diet, well you need to eat a lot if you're that tall.

Well, to be honest I'm classed as obese (just), but it's something I'm working on through mindfulness. I suppose back pain caused by being overweight is the vipaka for my unskillful eating habbits in the past.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand, is anyone else here married and do you spend a night a week on the floor? How does you wife/husband react?

[GrahamR]

Well, to be honest I'm classed as obese (just), but it's something I'm working on through mindfulness. I suppose back pain caused by being overweight is the vipaka for my unskillful eating habbits in the past.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand, is anyone else here married and do you spend a night a week on the floor? How does you wife/husband react?

My wife works 3 nights a week so I sleep on the floor then. You could both sleep on the floor.
If you are overweight, then consider not eating after noon as your next firm precept. I lost weight very easily. I had normal breakfast and lunch, then nothing after 12. Went down for 90kg to 80kg in about 6 weeks!
Good luck

[Khalil Bodhi]

Mawkish,

I'm married and live in a tiny apartment in NYC (well, I just moved into a bigger tiny apartment in NYC so there;s a bit more space). My wife doesn't always like it but she knows how important the practice is to me so on Uposatha days I either sleep on the floor next to the bed (when my 19 month-old isn't occupying that real estate on his toddler mattress) or I sleep in the living room or in his little room that has yet to be used for sleeping. I think more tahn anything she is annoyed that on Uposatha days we can't watch movies or TV shows together but it's only once a week so she deals with it. Anyway, I hope I answered your question. May you be well.

Metta,

Mike

[Mawkish1983]

I'll keep you posted and try again next week.

No noticeable back pain yet today.