In this picture, the oxherder has finally caught the ox with a rope. But the ox does not want to be caught. The oxherder has to hang on tightly as the ox jumps fiercely and drags him hither and thither. We feel very much like the oxherder when we start to meditate. As soon as we sit down with the aim of concentrating on the question or the breath or just being aware, our mind is flooded with thoughts, memories and plans and our body is not comfortable. We start to have pain in the back, then in the knees, then our cheeks start itching. We try various postures. Like the ox herder we have to be firm and hold on tightly. There are many obstacles: restlessness, sleepiness, daydreaming, etc. We have to realize that for the last twenty, thirty years we have cultivated many habits which promoted distractions and when we meditate we go against all these habits. It is going to take some time before we dissolve the power of these tendencies.

Sometimes meditation goes well and we have to be careful not to be attached to that ease because that too is impermanent — even though as we continue to practise the sense of ease lasts longer and happens more often. Sometimes the practice is difficult; thoughts seem intractable and sleepiness so heavy, but that too passes a little faster as time goes by.

~ commentary from Zen, by Martine Batchelor.