I can't address the issue of astral projection because it is outside my field of expertise. However, regarding meditation... progress rarely, if ever, falls into a nice clear linear order. This is because there are innumerable factors which determine what occurs in each meditation for each unique individual.
As a result of this, you might go through a period in which every meditation session feels deep and easy, and then right on the heels of that, go through a stretch of meditations in which it seems like nothing much is happening but a bunch of thoughts. When something like this occurs, is it because you are regressing rather than progressing? No... it is simply part of your growth process and the immeasurable cycles occurring within it.
So although it is natural to want to know if you are progressing, it's best if you can put that aside and learn to trust that you are getting exactly what you need from each meditation.
With that said, if you are finding yourself able to "snap out of your random thoughts" and come back to a state of alertness more quickly, then I would say you are making good progress. :-)
Yes, this is a typical "symptom" of the detox process. It will pass and you will be free of those particular emotional toxins.
However, if you are meditating for more than 15 - 20 minutes a day, decreasing your meditation time to 10 or 15 minutes will quite likely reduce the intensity of these emotional swings.
Meditation increases the flow of the healing life force energy within you, and the increased flow of this energy through your system washes away the physical and emotional toxins. It is best if this process goes gently, and that is accomplished through not over-meditating.
Negative beliefs are released as a result of the increased awareness which meditation produces.
I suffer from anxiety problems and other social problems and my pyschologist suggested trying meditation to quiet things down in my mind and ive been meditating now for about 2 and a half months and im starting to actually feel like my mind isnt racing so fast at times. Like its slowing down and i can think better. Are these some effects of meditation when a mentally ill person is trying them out? Do u think the calming of my mind is an advantage i gained from meditation, or just a coincidence? Thanks for your time Jim. Namaste.
Hello Burt... These are effects that most individuals experience from meditating, regardless of their state of mental health. Yes, I certainly do think that calming your mind is advantageous... and I don't think it is just a coincidence because I hear it so often from meditators. Keep on keeping on, Jim
I am doing the mindfullness of breath exercise. During the exercise, I observe the the sensations of the breath in my abdomen. I observe these sensations a bit more closely(being aware of some of the more prominent details), because this help me stay awake and hold my attention on the breath. I focus only gently with relaxed effort. (An evidence for this is that I often drift off and loose track of the breath.)
I dont think that if I observe the breath a bit more closely (and with only a mild effort), this prevents me from reaching a calm meditative state.
• "Manifesting" is a term used to describe the process of creating or changing conditions in ones life through the use of the mind. A typical way this is done in meditation is through the use of "visualization"... the act of seeing or sensing a desired condition internally, which sets a process in motion that (ideally) leads to the intended outcome externally. Another name you are likely to hear applied to this principle is "the law of attraction."
This process can be used for a variety of purposes... for example, self healing and optimizing athletic performance.
• Meditation increases creativity by opening ones awareness to the universal creative energy and intelligence.
Thanks for answering one of my questions =) Recently i was adviced to focus only on my breath and when a thought comes, i must move back to the breath. ive tried this and normally my mind gets bored of just focusing on the breath, or i get that whole thing where my mind seems to be thoughtless but really im not. kind of like that whole thing where someone imagines them self waking up in the morning and turning the alarm clock off...even though they're really still sound asleep in bed....so my main question is how do i stick with the breath and not veer off into other things? will this get easier with time? if it does how so? Thanks! namaste
Hello Kamau... Focussing on your breath - or on nearly any "object of focus" in meditation - will become easier over time. Like anything, the more you practice, the more it begins to come easily and naturally.
However, it is not absolutely necessary to stay with a "breath awareness" meditation if it does not resonate with you. There are many meditation methods... you can find several of them at the Online Meditation Center.
The dreamlike state you are experiencing in some of your meditations is actually a fairly beneficial state and is generally an enjoyable space to be in. The Sanskrit term for this state is "yoga nidra."
I am here with a question about an experience i had recently. I was meditating then all of a sudden i started hearing this long flat sound. It didnt last long but it confused me. The sound eventually stopped and i just continued meditating. Do u know what that sound was and what it meant?? Thanks! Namaste
A "long flat sound" doesn't give me any clues about what it might be specifically. However, most any sound that you'll hear while meditating which is not occurring in your physical surroundings or within your physical body, will be a higher dimensional frequency or conversation that you have tuned in to. Namaste, Jim
When you meditate, your attention dives from the surface of your mind - where your "normal" thinking takes place - into the deeper realms of your mind - where the thoughts are subtler, more ethereal or dream-like. Sometimes these thoughts and images will make sense, but more often they will appear nonsensical, as you are discovering.
i had a question thats been elluding me for some time now as to wat it was. basically sometimes, normally in the early hours of the morning when i wake up,but not fully up still feeling tired so i close my eyes. and i am at the half asleep half awake state, and i sometimes hear sounds or music. normally when i actually take in account and realize wats going on..it stops...do u know what this may be??
If the sounds are not occurring in in your physical surroundings, then you are tuning in to sounds occurring on a non-physical dimension. In that "half awake-half asleep" state, you are also partly focussed in this physical reality and partly focussed in a non-physical reality.
I began to sob quite heavily the other day when I first began to meditate. I mean immediately -- just a couple of breaths and the dam broke. I sure wasn't expecting that. I was alone so I just let it come out and when it stopped, I was fine. I felt pretty good actually.
What would make a person sob like that? Do you think that I released some sort of negative energy or past trauma perhaps?
Hello Sheryl... Yes, that is indeed what you experienced - the release of something toxic or traumatic from your past. Although the release process is generally less dramatic, it is a very valuable part of the process of growth and healing which meditation catalyzes. You are now free of whatever it was that you had been carrying around.
If you happen to experience this again, letting the sobbing come freely, as you did, is the best way to deal with it.
I have been meditating for almost a year. Occasionally I would bring my self to a place with breathing where I would move kundalini up my body, working out blocks. This evolved into a shaking, then a blacked out seizure state (it's been described I only remember bliss) Now I am finding that this feeling is on always near. Like it's getting harder to control. I don't need a doctor, this is self induced. Nobody has this side effect. What is this? no one has heard of such a thing. It's sort of disruptive. I hurt my neck last time (i was outside) I really like outside, but it's getting dangerous.
This is actually one of the typical side effects of over-amping on the energy known as kundalini. Triggering too much of this powerful energy can lead to various other uncomfortable side effects as well.
How does one over-amp on kundalini? 1. By deliberately moving it up the body as you have been doing. (I guess nobody warned you about this.) 2. By over-meditating, which, for most indviduals means more than 20 - 30 minutes a day. and 3. By concentrating too strenuously when meditating.
I strongly suggest you discontinue the practice of moving this energy, and if you have been meditating for longer periods, I suggest you cut back to 15 - 20 minutes a day. This should allow the energy to subside to a more comfortable flow.
If the symptoms persist - or even if they don't - it would be advisable to get some physical exercise... preferably something safe and gentle, such as hiking out in nature. But if you are concerned about blacking out, be careful and go with a friend if possible.
Well im here to ask u a question and hopefully you can answer it. Last night when i was meditating i started to hear a buzzing sound. I didnt know what it was and i thouhgt it was a fly flying around in my room. So i became too curious and opened my eyes...and there was no fly anywhere. I checked everywhere. And another wierd thing was even after my eyes were opened for a while i could still hear the buzzing in my head. Do you know what that was??
A buzzing sound that is not in ones physical surroundings is generally one of two things: The inner "sound current," which is the sound ones inner spiritual energy sometimes makes as it flows through the head region... or the body's vibrations that one may feel or perceive as a buzzing sound just prior to having an out of body experience.
this may or may not be your field and I'm not really big into "signs" but, is it possible that our "higher selves" will speak to us in the form of signs?
the reason I ask is, lately I've been seening a constant repeatative symbols virtually everywhere.
I don't try to look for them I just notice them. and each one reminds me of a single person I know, all three of these 'signs' bring them into mind, and as I said, I'm not big into signs, I don't actively look for them.
these signs they pop up almost EVERYWHERE, I could forget about them intirely and then one just randomly pops up.
Yes, I've seen this occur. Sometimes external signs can act as a bridge to your inner wisdom. It's ok to acknowledge them and give some thought to what their message might be. However, it's generally good to consider the situation rationally before taking any action based on one of these signs.
Over amped kundalini girl here. Thank you so much Jim for answering my question. I have a very physical job & a two year old, so I pretty well move constantly. I go out in nature & it becomes more intense. I actually had been avoiding meditating to calm this down, but it was appearing at inappropriate times so i felt like i should take care of it. I really wasn't in the space for very long when this happened last(1 min maybe). This was so hard, fast & unexpected that I finally just got fed up and wrote that. I feel like it comes from the ground through my feet. I'm not really that in control of that part. However, I almost feel like it builds, becomes painfully blocked in areas and pushes me to move it. I really feel like if i don't do it every now & then it will manifest as sickness or promiscuity. Nobody really showed me how to do this or warned me about anything, it just sort of appeared and evolved very quickly. all info I have is through reading. If this is manifesting I feel like it's for a reason. I'm sure I'm not the first person to go through this. I guess my real concern is whether or not it's actually dangerous in a spiritual sense. I actually feel like I'm becoming empathetic to a fault lately. Is there a discipline more inclined to managing this kind of energy? Yoga intensifies this too.
There are two things to consider here in regards to alleviating this. One, is getting the intensified flow of energy to subside. And the other is clearing up whatever is blocking its flow.
Much of this energy does indeed come up from the earth, and it does tend to flow in without our deliberate intent. However, once it has become over-intensified, meditation tends to trigger more of it. Therefore, it would be a good idea to continue avoiding meditation for now. This should allow the energy to begin quieting down.
However, when you notice the energy becoming uncomfortably blocked, I suggest you take a little time to sit - with your eyes closed or open - and rather than trying to move the energy, simply feel the sensation that is occurring where it is blocked. Direct your attention gently to one blocked area at a time, and just be present with the feeling until it wanes.
I believe you are correct in thinking that this is occurring for a reason. Generally the purpose of this sort of experience is to call your attention to something internal that needs to be brought to light and resolved. Usually it is an emotional issue or past trauma that is attempting to surface and be healed, but it's not limited to that. You can generally find clues in the areas where the energy is blocked, especially if it is in one or more chakras.
Can this be dangerous? If it continues unchecked, it can lead to some imbalances in the nervous system, chakra system and endocrine system... and yes, it can catalyze the kind of over-sensitivity you are experiencing.
Aside from the above suggestions, there may be some forms of gentle movement that will not exacerbate the situation like Yoga tends to do. I suppose the only way to find out would be to experiment a bit with exercises like Tai Chi, etc.
One more thing I would suggest, is to drink hot water with ginger and honey. This has been known to calm the flow of Kundalini.
Im wondering if you can give me some advice. Well i have spoke back to you many times in the past and we've spoken about ap. I understand you dont know much about it but i have noticed i am getting better and better at it at remaining thoughtless and keeping my focus. =) Anyways i just wanted to ask you about prescribed medication. I take prescribed anti psychotic and anti depressant medicine and medicine for the side effects of the medicine etc from my doctor and i read somewhere to astral project you must be free of alchol and drugs. Im wondering if the prescibed medication i take daily from my doctor count as drugs that are prohibited as well as other street drugs and if they will effect my chances of projection. I personally dont think so because i feel i have been improving in meditation with your help and others that give me advice about ap. So anyways my main question is do you think taking my doctor prescribed medicine will hinder me or prevent me from experiencing astral projection? Thanks for reading this message and your time =)
I'm sorry, but I really don't know enough about astral projection to address that. However, if you are taking medication and still making progress with your meditation, that's a good sign.
Hello Jim, Thanks for all your gracious help you have given me. I think i am progressing and starting to understand my meditation better. I am practicing to have an obe, something your not too familiar with i know, =) but what i am starting to understand is that the no thought state, the state i try my best to obtain, is merely the fully conscious alert stage. Its the now. Thoughts and ideas try to clog that state and it takes a lot of time and dedication to obtatin complete thoughtlessness. I can dwell in it momentarily now. =) Practice is really a thing of beauty. But i came here to ask you a question and hopefully you can give me some direction. Why is it that some days i feel more focused and "alert" and thoughtless you may say, and other days it seems not as easy? Some days it seems easier to induce. Do you have any thoughts on this?
Hello Burt... It sounds like you are indeed making good progress. Most meditators experience what you are describing... some days meditation is clear, deep and easy, while other days the mind is foggy and unfocussed no matter what you do.
There are many factors which cause this, but the main factor is a cycle of "clearing" and "clarity" which is an integral part of the meditation process.
When you are in the part of this cycle in which you are clearing away a lot of inner toxins - physical and emotional - the mind becomes somewhat like a pond with all the muck from the bottom stirred up and clouding the water. But when this clearing phase is finished, and the mind is free of that block of toxic sludge, there is more clarity, less thought activity, and the way is open for the attention to dive more deeply within.
This cycle can be of any duration - from one meditation to several weeks - but when you understand that it is all part of a positive process of healing and growth, there is less of a tendency to struggle and become frustrated on those muck-filled clearing days.
Your theme should be closely related to whatever you are trying to accomplish with your affirmations, for example: better general health... healing a particular illness... more fulfilling relationships... getting over an unhealthy habit... experiencing more peace and contentment in your life, etc.
When creating your affirmation, it is important to always frame it in positive terms related to the desired outcome, such as... "I am enjoying perfect health," rather than "I am overcoming such and such health problem."
Detachment is partly a natural process of outgrowing those things and aspects of our life which we are attached to... and partly an act of mentally letting go.
Whereas the first part - growing beyond our attachments - occurs gradually via our consciousness evolution, but is expedited through meditation... the second part - mentally letting go - is a conscious moment-to-moment choice. We can mentally cling to a life circumstance, possession, desired outcome, belief, etc... or we can choose to let it go.
For example: Physically, we can grasp an object by contracting and tensing our hand to make a fist, or release the object by expanding and relaxing our hand.
Mentally holding on or letting go is a similar process, but subtler. Our mind contracts to hold onto an idea... and expands and relaxes to let it go.
You can find a very simple exercise for letting go on this page... Letting go
I have been practicing mindfulness meditation consistently for the past two weeks, although I have practiced it inconsistently for about 3 years.
Today, about 10 minutes prior to my meditation session, I asked myself a question regarding a matter in my personal life and didn't think much of it beyond that. About 5 minutes into my 15 minute session arose a very abrupt and powerful insight into the question that I'd asked prior to my session. It was not, and hasn't been my intention to use my meditation for this purpose. My question is, is this a common occurence? Is there a significance to this occurence, and are there practices/meditations that are designed for this pupose?
Receiving a sudden insight to a question in meditation happens quite a bit, albeit not all the time. And yes, there are meditations designed specifically for receiving insight and guidance that can be effective for doing this. However, the valuable dynamic you have just discovered, is that this process tends to work best when done fairly effortlessly and without putting a lot of weight on the need to receive an answer. Conversely, trying too hard tends to obstruct the inflow of guidance and insight.
Hi Jim, I first taught myself meditation when i was about 15. I was never able to stay focused and free of thoughts for long, but when i did it was often accompanied by a strange sense of disassociation - that i was leaning at 45 degree angle, for example, or hovering horizontal to the floor. When i opened my eyes of course i hadn't moved.
I haven't really meditated for a few years (i'm now 27) although found it quite easy to get back in to it. However now it seems my experience is either very mild (thoughts fade but never completely go away) or very intense. I can feel an electricity that comes up my spine to the top of my head and all my body seems to fizz. I can hold on to the feeling for maybe a minute but then i have to let go, bringing the meditation to an end. I'd like to know: a) Is this normal?! b) Can i control it to allow meditations to last longer? c) Is it a 'good thing'? Should i cultivate it, and if so, how? Thanks Jim. Dan
a. This energy is always flowing upward through the body during meditation, but it is not always intense enough to perceive directly. However, because its overall intensity level is increasing at this time, more and more meditators are beginning to experience this energy more clearly. So in that sense, it is becoming more "normal."
b. It is best to not try to control it. But just because the intensity peaks and subsides does not mean that your meditation is over. I suggest you continue for awhile afterward, enjoying whatever is occurring. This gives your system a bit of time to integrate the effects and transition gradually back to its familiar state.
c. Yes, it is a good thing... the flow of this energy is largely responsible for raising your consciousnesss and clearing physical and emotional toxins from your system. But no, you should not do anything to cultivate it. This energy has an inherent intelligence, and when not interfered with, it regulates its flow naturally according to your system's capacity to conduct it.
Yes, there is some truth to that. Looking at the big picture, there is a perfect order to everything, and all that occurs and has its place and purpose within that grand scheme. However, if you were to try to figure out the meaning of every occurrence, you would make yourself somewhat crazy fairly quickly.
I suggest you trust your intuition to prompt you as to what events are worth checking out regarding their special meaning, and to clue you in as to what that meaning is. Just be a bit mindful about projecting what you "want" an event to mean onto a particular occurrence.
First of all may I compliment you on your wonderful, helpful and engaging website. Your sustained effort in maintaining it and answering all these varied queries so lucidly is much appreciated.
I learned Vipassana insight meditation on a retreat a year ago, and I'm soon to embark on another retreat. Meditation has become a powerful and transformational force in my life. Having experienced many challenges and also profound and beautiful states of awareness / totality on my initial retreat, I maintained a regular practice through the first four months of this year. But then I let it slip for a few months. I have recently taken it up again and have resolved not to let it slip again.
I realise that I need to get back into the swing again with regular practice over time, but it seems that my concentration is really extraordinarily bad at the moment. As bad as it has ever been. My mind is more 'simian' than ever, and is constantly - I mean constantly- on the roam. Also, a rather indecorous new element has entered my practice - namely, I burp loudly and often, and often yawn widely too.
Anamolous as it sounds, could it be that I am 'trying too hard'? is that the root of the distractedness? And are you able to advise me as to the nature of the burping and yawning? I understand that it is some kind of movement of energy, but what, exactly?
Hello Glenn... All that burping and yawning should make for a very interesting retreat. :-) Yes, an increase in the flow of your inner spiritual energy - aka chi - is involved in all of this phenomena. The stepped up energy is releasing stored up tensions and toxins from your system, and the "run-off" from this clearing process can take a variety of forms - including burping and yawing - but most commonly, increased thought activity, which goes hand in hand with decreased concentration.
It is all part of a cyclic process... a cycle of clearing followed by greater clarity. During the clearing phase, there is virtually always an increase in thought activity, and consequently a greater tendency for the mind to wander. This clearing opens the door for one to experience greater depth and clarity when the inner obstructions have been removed. This cycle can be of any duration - from one meditation to several weeks or months - but it is all part of a positive process of growth.
Generally, during this phase, increasing the effort level does not help much, so I suggest you simply meditate with relaxed or "medium" effort, accepting that it's okay and natural for the mind to roam a bit, and knowing that it will eventually pass.
I hope all is well =). Things are ok with me so far. However, there was about 4 to 5 day stretch where i was unable to practice my meditation and i missed out for those days. So yesterday i was feeling a little better so i meditated and i think as i told u already, it wasnt my best session... It was just filled with random pointless thoughts. Its like my mind was fighting with me to put thoughts in my head. So now today, being the second day in a row i began to meditate daily again, it was a little bit better than yesterday but still i couldnt seem to quiet my thoughts. And what really kind of gets to me is back about a week ago, while i was in the groove of meditating every day, i was getting better and better with quieting my mind and focusing my mind. Now it seems like ive gone backwards and lost ground. i hope this is not the case. Jim, do you think ive really lost some meditating focus and my mind has weakened a little bit or do u think ive just ran into an unlucky two day slump and ill be back to my normal self soon? Thanks for taking the time to read this. Take care.
Oh and before i forget...about a week ago i had a lucid dream... I know it was one because it happened exactly how its described to. I realized i was dreaming and i remember the colors and imagery was just amazing! Things were so clear and i remember thinking i want to go somewhere fun, and i ended up on a basketball court. And i even remember telling myself during the lucid dream i want to see something that i can remember and when i wake up i want to remember it and see if i could make sense of it. I remember seeing a book, called "stranger house" or something and i have no idea what that is or what it means but anyways the lucd dream was amazing. I wish i knew how to will myself to expierience another one. Anyways im curious as to your thoughts on this, as well as hopefully youll be able to address my first question. Thanks Jim namaste.
Hello Burt... No, you haven't regressed in your ability to meditate. This is occurring because meditation experiences go in cycles. For an explanation of these cycles, please see my answer to the post just above this one, dated November 8.
When you understand this cyclic process, you begin to see that what you experience in any given meditation really has very little to do with your own effort and ability. Therefore, it is best to leave all judgement behind when you meditate... judgement about whether the meditation session was "good" or "bad," and especially any judgement regarding your ability to meditate.
Regarding your lucid dream... it sounds entertaining and colorful. Lucid dreaming falls outside my sphere of expertise, but I believe there are books available for learning how to do this more intentionally.
Any stressful, painful or traumatic event in your life which has not been fully resolved becomes stored in your body-mind system. These unresolved experiences are stored in your brain as bad memories... in the cells of your body as physical toxins... in your emotional body as emotional toxins... and in your nervous system as negative electrical charges. The term "physical-emotional toxins" refers to all this accumulated residue.
The spiritual, healing energy you tap in meditation gradually cleanses your body-mind system of these toxic energies. Hence, it is literally a detoxification process.
I have a question similar to the last one asked. Since I've started my meditation practice about a month ago I've noticed that I don't make much progress in my ability to quiet my mind. I've tried to not be judgmental about this and just "show up" as you suggest, but by and large my meditations are fraught with incessant thoughts, analyzing whether or not I'm doing it right and just about any other "don't" when it comes to the process. I'm fairly accepting of this because my primary motivation in starting a meditation practice was to quell my compulsive thinking and become a bit more detached and objective of my thought processes and that has worked out for me.
The one thing that does seem particularly odd though is that despite the fact that I'm not achieving 'blissful states of enlightment' during my meditation sessions, they are coming to me outside of my sessions, quite randomly. I have no justifiable explanation for this other than it has to be related to my practice, but in normal everyday activity I will move into a euphoric state that would seem, to me, to be exactly what I would imagine an enlightened meditative state would feel like. Is there some way that even though I am not reaching blissful thoughtless states during my meditation, that they are occurring to me in a delayed manner after the fact?
Hello Mikey... Yes, what you are experiencing outside of meditation is most definitely connected to your meditation practice.
You are discovering a very important principle about meditation: That even when it "seems" like not much is happening while meditating, something very profound and beneficial is generally occurring on a deeper level than we may be aware of. My very first thought-filled, mind-wandering meditation experience, and the blissful feelings that followed, demonstrated this truth to me early on in my practice.
I've meditated daily for almost three months. Recently I started to feel vibration all over my body even when I am not meditating. It stated from my hands, then my feet, my whole arms, legs, then my heart, my face and my body. There are some sensations moving all over my head feeling like a few tadpoles swimming in my head and intense pressure between my eyes when I am meditating. Once in a while my left foot will feel a heat wave going through. It normally last for 10-20 seconds. I try not to put my attention to my head but it just manages to get there. Sometimes, I feel there is some energy coming through from above my head like some kind of tube going down my body. It also happened a few times while I was sleeping. I feel my body was aligned with some energy from above my head. This energy always wakes me up. What does this mean to meditation?
For me meditation is fun. There is always something going on in my body for me to explore. I am actually looking forward to meditation since it is different every time. I feel my body is so busy inside. I can either hear inner sound in my right ear or my left ear or my heart beat in my head, or I can feel the energy going in different part of my body.
At night, I am looking forward to sleep because my dreams become so vivid that I remember after I wake up.
It's always nice to hear how much someone is enjoying their meditations. All the energy sensations you are experiencing are the result of an increased flow of spiritual energy moving throughout your body. Although we take in this energy in various ways, it has two main entry points... one at the base of the spine - the 1st chakra - and one at the crown of the head - the 7th chakra.
The energy of "pure consciousness," which flows in at the crown, tends to be a gentler energy than the powerful "life force," which enters at the base of the spine. Although there is always a blend of both energies, apparently your 7th chakra is the predominant entry point for a good deal of the influx you are experiencing.
One of the most effective ways of dealing with these memories (and their associated toxins) is to be "fully present" with them when they come into your mind. That involves giving them your complete attention without trying to push them away... feeling any emotions that may accompany them... and then simply being willing to let them go.
Not really. A negative memory comes to the surface because it needs your attention to be healed and resolved. Attention focusses the light of your awareness, and the light of awareness is an essential source of healing power.
First off, big thanks to you as well as everyone who has offered their questions. It has been very insightful for me to read through the conversations on this site.
I would like to engage you in dialogue regarding the entheogenic use of marijuana. It has been my experience that my use of this socially constructed "drug" has been a profound tool that eases my connection and transition to a higher level of being. I was curious as to your thoughts on meditators who take this particular road in their practice.
Hello Steve... I appreciate your good feedback, thanks. To be honest, I really don't have a lot of thoughts about the use of marijuana for inducing higher states of consciousness. Since I've not personally used it for that particular purpose, I'm not really qualified to assess or discuss it, but I wish you much light and joy on your path.
I thought that if I felt and focused on these bad memories,the feeling I had would keep coming back. thast why I was told to focus on positive thing so I would get more positive then negatives
These bad memories are stored in your nervous system as negative electrical charges and it is your attention that neutralizes these charges.
I'm not suggesting that you dwell on these memories or give them a lot of attention outside of meditation. But when they do come up in meditation it is essential to give them enough attention to dissipate the negative electrical charges. You will know when this occurs, because they will begin to lose their emotional impact and/or stop coming up altogether.
I understand that most people do not like to come face to face with their bad memories. Some individuals are even afraid to do so. Do you have the courage to face your memories? (It's not necessary to answer me on this... only yourself.)
I hope all is well. So recently, about 2 or 3 days ago i was taking a nap in the middle of the day and i believe i expierince lucid dream. and the interesting thing about it was i had about 4 in a row! i literaly fell into a dream and realized i was dreaming etc...then i woke up a little later, then i fell asleep again and had another lucid dream again. as i said this happened about 4 times and the colors and everything was amazing! better than hd tv =). so anyways i just thought i would share that with you that wasnt necessarily the point of this message, however i would like to hear your opinion on this. but anyway what my question is is recently i noticed that when i am meditating, sometimes i start to vaguely see something normally random, with my eyes closed shut, but it doesnt last for long. i dont know its so hard to explain it like i dont necessarily see threw my eyes like people say they do but its like i see it with my mind. and by no means necessary is it a clear picture. normally i can just make out something for maybe a split second, and again its normally random things like for example i watch a lot of nba basketball and sometimes, recently, when i am meditating, ill make out the image briefly of basketball players on the court, or sometimes ill see - and i use the word see lightly - but ill make out maybe a chair or something. and normally when i try to will myself to make out the image, it disapears or fades away or watever...can you give me any insight on what is happening?
Apparently your inner senses are waking up - or at least your inner visual sense is. There is quite likely a connection between this and your lucid dreams, in that they both involve seeing with your mind's eye. This is generally a gradual process, so no need to will yourself to see anything. I suggest you simply enjoy whatever images happen to pop in.
Jim, I was wondering what your opinion is of the theories that the "veil is thinning," or that people are becoming more psychically and spiritually evolved? I've been visiting your site for years, and as a matter of fact learned to meditate w/ you. I know a few people that seem to be spiritual in my own life, but largely, is still seems to me that people walk around blindly, having no desire for spirituality. That is one of the reasons that your site here is so important. It has been an avenue to talk to others that meditate and are awakened (at least to some extent). Thanks for continuing your work here. Michelle
Hi Michelle... Good to hear you are continuing on your spiritual journey. Yes, I do believe that the "veil" which obstructs our perceptions from the larger reality is becoming more transparent, and that we are indeed evolving... that the Universe is doing everything possible to accelerate and support our awakening. I hear from people daily who are traveling some sort of spiritual path, and know from observation, interaction, and statistics that there are millions out there practicing meditation, yoga, etc.
I am also aware that there are many who are resistant to growth and deeply afraid of change. It appears that society is becoming somewhat divided between those who are going with the quickening stream of evolution and those who are struggling against the current.
It's both heartening and sad, but I guess we can only choose for ourselves, and give others the time and space to get past their fears and/or lack of interest.
I'm pleased to hear that you've found the Online Meditation Center to be a place where you can experience that connection. Here are a couple of other online communities where you might connect with like-minded individuals. DailyOM community and Lightworkers.org forum
I would like to know more about meditation beads. I don't know how to use them, but am interested in learning and perhaps making some. Can you advise me? Thank you.
Hello Sheryl... Meditation beads are generally used to help meditators stay focussed on a mantra in meditation or during their daily activity. They are also used to help meditators keep a count of the repetitions of their mantra if they are into counting.
The standard "mala" (string of beads) consists of 109 beads - 108 plus a head bead - although there are bracelet-sized malas which are shorter. 108 is a very auspicious number in Hindu, Buddhist and other spiritual traditions for a variety of reasons... and the 109th bead is called the "guru bead," because it symbolizes ones (internal or external) guru. It also indicates to the meditator that he or she has completed one round of 108 mantras.
Although malas can be made of anything that can be formed into the size of a bead, many of the traditional Hindu or Buddhist malas are made from tulsi wood, sandalwood, lotus seeds, or rudraksha seeds.
Using one is easy... simply start with the bead next to the guru bead and move your fingers on to the next bead each time you repeat your mantra.
I see the word "duality" quite often, but am confused by its meaning. Can you explain or define this for me? I appreciate so much how you share your knowledge with me and others. Thank you.
Looking at the big cosmic picture, before Universal Consciousness manifests itself as the created universe, it is in a state of unity... nothing but one infinite unmanifest consciousness. But as part of the process of creation, oneness becomes duality... opposites such as yin and yang, masculine and feminine, light and dark, etc... and then, multiplicity.
Normally we view the world through our intellect... our ordinary mind which sees everything in terms of duality... good and bad, pleasure and pain, like it and don't like it, etc. But as our consciousness expands, we gradually begin to see the world more with our higher mind... the mind of our spirit... which perceives the unity and wholeness behind the duality.
I have a question. recently I've had a little trouble concentrating of meditation, for the few 2 or 3 weeks acually. but last night I did and I noticed that this time I was in that state where I felt warm energy all over and I was totally concious of my thoughts.
a few dream like random images appeared but mostly I was in control
It is fairly common for meditations to go through periods of less concentration and more thoughts followed by one or more deeper and easier meditations. This is part of a cycle of clearing away stored up physical and emotional toxins which opens the door to go deeper in ones meditation. For more on this, see the answer regarding "cycles of clearing and clarity," posted November 1.
The warm energy you experienced was due to an increase in the flow of your inner spiritual energy, aka chi... and those dreamlike images tend to occur when you allow your attention to slip into deeper states of awareness.
Hi Jim -- I've been having a strange experience through my last few meditation sessions. I start with my eyes closed as the instructions suggest, but at some point in the middle, my eyelids begin to lift themselves. When I try to keep them shut, they continue fighting upwards; when I let them go, they lift up so my eyes are half open and then rhythmically bob up and down. I thought it was just something weird the first time it happened, but it's happened three days in a row and I'm wondering if there's something deeper going on. Needless to say it's a little hard to avoid distraction when you're fighting with your own eyes :) Any advice or wisdom you can impart is very much appreciated.
Hello Kyle... These movements are being caused by an increased flow of your inner spiritual energy as it moves upward through your body to the top of your head. When this occurs, the eyes and eyelids will sometimes move or roll upward in order to facilitate the energy flow.
Often this simply wanes and passes on its own. Therefore, you might simply allow it to happen for the time being, accepting it as a temporary part of the process, as well as accepting that it's ok to be a little distracted for awhile.
However, you might also make sure you are not making too much effort to concentrate, as this can exacerbate the movements. I suggest you focus with medium effort on whatever your object of focus is.
I had a question, it's about intention and detachment.
I know that detachment brings you what you want, when combined with your desire. I also know that by being happy and present in the moment you are practicing detachment.
I guess my questions would be, is detachment simply not worrying about how or when? or is it not thinking about it after you've stated your intention.
I know you have to focus on it for it to grow, but not so much that it takes away all your power.
It sounds like you have a good understanding of this principle and the necessary balance between intention and detachment.
Both of your premises are an important part of the process... not worrying about how or when, as well as not thinking too much about it after putting forth your intention. These are both part of the essence of detachment, which is, for the most part, not over-importantizing the outcome.
Some typical symptoms of physical detoxing might include: tiredness or low vitality, headaches, or simply feeling physically "off" or "under the weather." Physical detox can also mimic symptoms like those of a cold.
1. This inner energy is always flowing through your body, and meditation increases its flow. Oftentimes it is too subtle to perceive, but some of the more typical ways it becomes noticeable include: tingling sensations anywhere in the body; slight or not-so-slight involuntary body movements; feeling heat in the hands or feet; eyes rolling upward or eyelids popping open; a subtle or dramatic rush of energy in the head; coming out of meditation feeling more clear-headed, centered, elevated, or energized.
2. Everything that occurs from the time you begin your meditation until you end it is a meditative state. That may include mild or deep relaxation, inner peace or silence, feelings of inner happiness, images or dreamlike thoughts arising in your mind... but it can just as easily include lots of thoughts, mind wandering all over the place, and feeling restless. It's all part of a single valuable process.
3. It's ok if you are very relaxed and slump over for awhile, but when it becomes uncomfortable or distracting, gently straighten up.
4. Eyes opening is the result of an increased upward flow of your inner spiritual energy. I suggest you just go with it, allowing them to open and stay open for awhile. Eventually they will close again easily and naturally.
Hi Jim, People say that through Meditation, you will experience Third Eye, Astral Travel & Astral Body, Life After Life, then you will get Enlightment, how long will it take to progress all?
Yes, meditation will help you to attain enlightenment... the realization that your True Self is one of peace, joy, love and freedom.
The opening of the third eye - the eye of wisdom - is often part of the process of awakening to enlightenment. Astral travel, although it is a valid practice in its own right, is not necessarily a part of the enlightenment experience. As for life after life, I believe we all have many lifetimes on this planet, and enlightenment is essentially the culmination of these various incarnations and all that we have learned from them.
why is it so easy for me to get lost in and focus on negative and conflicting thoughts even though some of them are situations I've never dealt with.
but when I try to focus on and visualize postive and good thoughts I can't seem to hold on to them for more then a few minuets or hold on to any positive feeling or get into it.
when I do it takes a great deal of concentration and focus, like when I do the 7 colors healing meditation, it takes so much of my concentration
This is a fairly common experience for meditators, although it does diminish with more time and experience. There are several reasons this tends to occur.
One is that the mind is much more attracted to our "drama" - our personal story - than to something superimposed, which is not necessarily part of our drama. This holds true even for imagined possible futures, as you have discovered.
Another reason, is that some people's minds are very much into trying to solve things. So by focussing on problems - real or imagined - the mind gets to chew on these things, even if it doesn't actually solve them, although it might occasionally come up with workable solutions.
Finally, it seems that some brains are wired to lean more toward the negative than the positive. That doesn't mean that they can't be re-wired through gradual training and practice. However, this tendency is often partially related to the brain's chemistry.
Virtually every meditation method has a primary "object of focus." So I suggest you experiment a bit to try and find an object of focus that can provide your mind with an attractive alternative to the stories it has been getting drawn into. Beyond that, it's important to understand and accept that even when your attention keeps drifting back to these unwelcome thoughts, you are still gaining much benefit from the act of meditating.
1. Although you may have touched on another dimension in your meditation, the feeling of a refreshed mind after you meditate is the result an increased flow of spiritual energy to your brain.
2. Any image that you consciously evoke in your mind falls into the category of "visualization." That includes memories as well as things you have not seen before.
3. The possibilities of what sort of images might pop into your mind when you meditate are endless. Sometimes they have a specific meaning and sometimes not. If an image is significant, your intuition will generally let you know somehow... it will "feel" meaningful. Then, if the meaning is not obvious, I suggest you reflect on it a bit, asking yourself, "What does this image convey to me?"
Everyone's brain produces various chemicals, and these chemicals are largely responsible for our mental and emotional states, such as optimism or pessimism, peace of mind or worry, etc. Every individual has a different balance of these brain chemicals which predisposes them to a kind of default mental-emotional state. From a strictly biological standpoint, that's why some people just naturally have a more positive outlook while others have a more negative outlook.
However, a person's brain chemistry, and thus their mental-emotional tendencies, can be gradually altered through natural means like meditation, yoga, exercise, and certain foods... or through other means such as pharmaceuticals.
Dear Jim I started vipassana meditation last year and have been to one 10 day and one 3 day retreat. After the last retreat I shyed away from meditating as it had been a painful experience and I needed some time ... slowly I come back to sitting and allow myself to do whatever feels right on that day. The physical pain I experienced was severe - not in knees or legs due to sitting but in my chest, shoulders, arms... and even the observation and non judgement did not make it change in 3 days. It seems to come up at retreats more than at home where I meditate for shorter periods of 30-60 minutes once a day. I like to know if you think that meditation techniques can be changed - i.e. perhaps one week try mantra meditation, one week mindfulness and then vipassana body scanning - would this be contra productive?? Should I stick to only one kind? Which mantra would you recommend? Thank you for your compassion. Love and light angela
Hello Angela... There is really no problem with alternating meditation techniques. You can either create a set schedule, or continue to follow your intuitive sense as to which method feels right. The important thing is to meditate daily.
Choosing a mantra partly depends on what you are trying to accomplish. However, as a general mantra for catalyzing a state of deep inner peace, the mantra "Om" is as effective as any I have worked with. It is especially effective if you follow the instructions on this page: Universal Mantra Meditation
You may already be aware of this, but the upper-body pain you are experiencing is most likely due to the release of some unresolved emotional pain stored as toxins in that area. With continued sitting, it should subside before long.
Yes, I would say it falls under the broad umbrella of meditation practices. There are various "formulas" of Nei Dan... the closest I can come to categorizing it would be "Taoist Meditation."
hello i have a question about manifesting, i feel a little silly asking it.
some months ago I wrote down that I wanted to get a alternator, the kind that go into a car, for a experiment project.
I completely forgot all about it and i think about a month or two later a guy gave me two used altenators for free.
now other times when I try to manifest something, i visualize and everything, but i don't see anything.
this seems to counter instructional, people say 'focus on it daily and you'll get it' but the stuff i get are the things i forget all about, even if I only thoughtabout them once, why is that?
This is actually a fairly common occurrence. The reason that it often works like this is that when you are not thinking about the outcome, you are essentially staying "out of the way" so that the Universe can deliver the intended outcome unhindered by any contrary thoughts.
Although there are times when focussing on our intention daily works, in many cases that continual focus is sending a subtle signal to the Universe, indicating we don't trust that the Universal Mind has gotten the message, or that we fear it will not deliver the desired outcome. Consequently, these signals can act a bit like negative prayers, counteracting our conscious intention.
You have already discovered one way, and that is... after you have put out the intention of what you want, simply forget about it and go about your life.
However, with some goals it does not always seem as effortless as that. In such cases, two things I have found most helpful are: 1. Make a conscious effort to let go of your attachment to the outcome, and trust that the Universe will fulfill it in the best possible way.
2. Try to stay as "centered" as you can in a calm state of awareness throughout the course of your day. You can use a mantra for this, repeating it mentally whenever you remember... or you can use another centering technique, such as the ones found on this page: Centering Room
Hi, I have been meditating for about 5 months now. During the first 3 months, I felt the best i've ever had. I was very happy. People enjoyed being around me and I enjoyed being around them. After the first 3 months I was still happy but felt like I wanted to spend all my time meditating. I now feel like a hermit and feel like i've lost all social skills. I can't seem to hold a conversation and usually answer questions with very few words. I have very cloudy thinking and feel nervous and anxious in social situations. I feel alright after I meditate but it doesn't last during the day. Is this a side effect of meditation or is it all in my head?
Many individuals experience what is referred to as a "honeymoon" period when they first begin to meditate. The duration of this varies... it sounds like yours lasted about 3 months. After this phase things usually return to better-than-normal, but not as high as the honeymoon period.
That is... unless an individual has been over-meditating, or their meditation triggered a major detoxification phase, or both. You didn't mention how much meditation you are doing, but if you are meditating for more than 20 minutes a day, it is definitely too much and is producing the effects you are experiencing.
If this is the case, I suggest you cut back to 10 - 20 minutes a day. It may take a week or two, but things will most likely get back to "normal." Also, getting in some extra physical exercise should accelerate the normalizing process.
If you have not been meditating longer than 20 minutes daily, feel free to let me know, along with more details about your life before you began meditating... especially regarding your social interactions and anything else that has changed significantly.
I learned the basics of mindfullness meditation 10 years ago and would really like to practice regularly. However, everytime I begin sitting each day I begin to get the weirdest 'back energy spasms' which absolutely freak me out. I have no control over them. They feel (not to be rude) like 'back orgasms', or rushes of energy which go out through the top of my head. They happen in seconds, around 5-15 times every time I sit. Sometimes it feels as though there is a massive amount of energy inside me and strangely, I find this quite frightening. I am quite a depressed person and I know I am not in touch which all my emotions. Are these energy spurts my repressed emotions coming out? I would be extremely embarrassed to go to a regular meditation class because of them. I have never seen anyone else twitching like me! Also, when I begin to meditate I start to wake from dreams in which I know have been praying and thanking something. Is it normal for my subconscious to be praying? thanks for any advice!
Those "back orgasms" are no real cause for concern. This occurs when the upward flow of life force, aka "chi," builds up a bit and then releases. As it does so, it is clearing away whatever toxic energies may be lodged around your spinal column, plus it is activating your higher chakras and energizing your brain as it flows upward, so it's actually a positive thing.
As long as you are not forcing anything in your meditation or over-meditating - longer than 20 minutes or so a day - I suggest you enjoy the good feeling that tends to accompany this phenomenon.
I wouldn't say it's "normal" for your subconscious to be praying and expressing gratitude, but it sounds like a very good thing.
Hi, I have been experiencing slower than normal thinking. I am also confused a lot and feel as if I am in a daze and separated from the real world. I used to be very social but now I feel as if I want to be alone most of the time. I also feel awkward around people. I find it hard to relate to them. Can meditation be a way to help these feelings? I heard that meditation can help activate the mind. Is this true?
Meditation re-charges the brain with extra energy and oxygen, which clears the mind and enhances virtually every aspect of mental functioning. Before I began meditating I had a severe shortage of mental energy, and meditation made a huge difference in my mental energy level and brain function, which in turn improved my communication skills and social interactions.
I suggest you give it a try and see if it makes a difference for you. Naturally you will have to allow a little time for it to start working, but just 10 - 20 minutes a day should make a difference.
With that said, you might also consider the possibility that you are low on certain important nutrients which effect brain function. Therefore, getting that checked out may be helpful as well.
I think it's a great practice. I feel it's very important for us at this time, to transcend the sense of separation and open our hearts to our inherent connectedness... to love and compassion.
What is best - to meditate fewer sittings for a longer time, or some more sittings for less time?
Like: one sitting for 20 minutes, or 4 sittings for 5 minutes?
Is there some balance point, where it should be no more sittings for less time, also no more sitting time for fewer sittings? What's the ideal when weighting sitting time against sitting frequence?
Because each individual is different in regard to both internal and external factors, there is no absolute guideline for this. However, I've found that one 20 minute sitting or two 10 minute sittings tend to be quite effective for most individuals.
Although several 5 minute sittings may be effective for some, many find 5 minutes a bit too short for feeling that they've gotten the optimum benefit from their session.
There is no set pattern for the duration of detox periods. Most of them are fairly short, like a day or two. However, they can be as brief as a few minutes during, or just after, a meditation session, and as long as a week or occasionally even a month.
The important things to keep in mind are: 1. Something valuable is occurring, and 2. It will pass.
1. Images in meditation can often be dreamlike and, like in dreams, sometimes they are symbolic and meaningful and sometimes they are not. Your intuition is the key to discerning the difference, and to interpreting any images which may be meaningful. For some, this intuitive ability comes naturally, and for others it takes a bit of time to develop.
2. If your eyes are tensing up to maintain concentration, it indicates that you are trying too hard to concentrate. There is no need to concentrate so hard. "Medium effort" works best.
3. It is not important what you see when you meditate. Whether you see blackness, colors, images, scenes, etc., you will still be getting results from your meditation. I suggest you put aside your expectations and simply accept whatever you see and whatever occurs.
I had this dream or maybe its not a dream, its like as though I was there. In my dreams, I wanted something and I teleported to another place that satisfied my needs, are these effects of meditation, or it is just an normal dream.
Ultra-clear dreams like that are usually conveying a significant message. They can occur whether or not someone is practicing meditation, but they tend to happen more frequently for meditators... part of the process of becoming more conscious.
Thank you very much on your response to my question about the balance between sitting time and number of sittings!
I am doing 15 minutes one time a day. I enjoy it very much. I have meditated on/off for some years. But I really want to keep it ON. So what have discouraged me...? I think I have increased my sitting time too fast. So now I want to keep it at 15 minutes for some time now. So I can keep up a regular practice.
When I begin meditating (turning it ON after some time being OFF) I notice, that in the first few days or so I can get very impatient - not with my practice, but in general. I can get impatient with a lot of things. Like I have gotten more energy or simply want to hurry things, if I think something is going too slow... is this normal? Can it be some detoxification process occuring?
I'm pleased to hear that you are finding a workable balance, regarding your meditation time.
The impatience is - as you have sensed - the result of a detoxification process, combined with the short span of time it is taking you to re-adjust to the higher vibrational energies you are tapping when you meditate.
I find your way of writing very compelling and clear. I have a website with words of Jesus and Buddha, and I want to expand my website in regard of spiritual matters. I want to ask you if I may use your text on mindfulness meditation instruction on my website. To be clear this piece of text:
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1. Sit comfortably, with your eyes closed and your spine reasonably straight.
2. Direct your attention to your breathing.
3. When thoughts, emotions, physical feelings or external sounds occur, simply accept them, giving them the space to come and go without judging or getting involved with them.
4. When you notice that your attention has drifted off and become engaged in thoughts or feelings, simply bring it back to your breathing and continue.
• Remember... it's ok and natural for thoughts to arise, and for your attention to follow them. No matter how many times this happens, just keep bringing your attention back to your breathing.
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If I may not, would it then be ok with you if I translate the text to danish and then use it - I can change the wordings of course. I ask because I find it the most precise description of how I myself meditate.
I am reaching out to the universe for guidance. Do to a miracle and many life altering situations that involved that miracle I have stepped out of meditation and have found myself in a negative world, I am struggling to find my way back to inner peace. I am in a home full of negativity and disrespect. I am not able to leave this home at this moment but I must find my personal peace again! Meditation is now interrupted by people, negative energy and the needs of my family. The people I live with do not understand my beliefs and have no respect for the time needed (even though it isn't much) Sounds and waves of negativity can be felt when I take time out for myself and my energy is so drained that I give up. I found myself on this website today because I keep hearing myself use the words I hate in my mind and know this is only pulling me down. How do I find my peace in this place?
It may take a bit of time and a commitment to staying with it, but meditating regularly will help you find your calm inner sanctuary where you will not be overshadowed by all the clouds of negativity around you. If you cannot meditate at home, I suggest you go sit in your car and meditate. If you do not have a car, you might find an open church, a park, or anyplace where you can sit undisturbed for 10 - 20 minutes.
As I continue to read these blogs another question comes to mind. I have been able to manifest things often in my life lately even with all the negativity I am feeling in myself and home. When I manifest these things into my life however my partner finds a way to take them from me or gets very mad that they have shown up. He doesn't know that I am manifesting them and he doesn't know how much I want them but he does know how to turn it into money rather then the item I wanted. How am I able to keep the things I manifest without causing a fight or feeling bad and losing the item I wanted? How am I creating this and how can I help stop this roller coaster of highs and lows. Balance is achieved how? Is there a mantra or guidance for achieving this?
I'm sorry Rebecca, but that's a matter which pertains to your relationship with your partner, and your relationship with yourself, and I am not qualified to provide you with a helpful answer.
When reading about meditation I'm getting confused. Even lifelong meditators claim meditation to be something different, while I always thought that meditation was a universal technique.
Here's an example:
Two different group of experienced meditators (more than 30 years of experience). One group claims that breath meditation is a way to positive growth all the way to liberation. The other group claims that breath meditation is not even meditation, only a beginning excercise to the real meditations that will lead to liberation. The first group claim it can lead to enlightenment, the other group claim it to be a way to calm the mind so the real meditations can begin.
I'm confused. Shouldn't it be so that lifelong meditators would experience the same universal essence of meditation?
Whenever you find several humans together - regardless of how long they have been meditating - you are going to get differing opinions. Unless people are speaking from direct experience, that's essentially all they are... opinions or a repeating of what they have been taught by others.
On the other hand, if an individual can truly say, "I have followed this path and it has led me to an awakened state which I am living at each moment," then it can be given credence.
Similarly, when it comes to simply defining what meditation is, you will get a number of differing definitions.
Hi, and thank you for your response :-) Do you think that simpel breath meditation - awareness on breathing - can lead anybody/everybody to enlightenment?
I enjoy breath meditation very much, daily. But reading so many opinions can make me a bit: "Oh, maybe it doesn't work 'alle the way'... because mr. X has been meditating a lifetime and still says, that breath meditation isn't enough for final enlightenment".
Has breath meditation in your opinion maximum potential for anybody who turn to it daily?
(If I understood your answer correctly, you are not saying that everybody needs a different kind of meditation, just that there will be different opinions about a certain meditation-method - I apologize if I have misunderstood).
Since breath awareness meditation has not been my primary practice, answering "yes" or "no" to this would simply be another opinion. :-) However, here's what I can tell you to help clarify this...
Although daily meditation is generally the most essential vehicle for facilitating the awakening process -- and breath awareness meditation may well be as effective as any meditation -- the path to enlightenment is not actually one-dimensional. That is to say, there are a number of factors involved in each individual's process of awakening.
You might compare the path to a university, and enlightenment to graduation. In order to graduate, you can't just take one course for four years... there is an entire curriculum. Similarly, the path to enlightenment involves a variety of lessons and experiences, and generally various practices as well. If you remain open and receptive, you will be guided to the exact lessons, experiences and practices you need at each stage of your journey.
Now I'm getting curious, if I may ask you... what meditation method is your main method?
I personally love the breath awareness meditation. It gives me so much calmness and gives me more clarity throughout the day than I would have had if I had not meditated.
The curriculum in life... I guess there are both individual experiences based on ones karmic history, but also more universal practices, that can be taken up alongside meditation (that's how I understand your response - I apologize if I misunderstand).
The buddhists seem to have morality as a key too. Even fundamental in a sense.
Ethical conduct, through speech, action and livelihood. With 5 precepts for everyone:
NO:
1. harming living beings. 2. taking things not freely given. 3. sexual misconduct. 4. false speech. 5. intoxicating drinks and drugs causing heedlessness.
In the bible there are commandments as well. Jesus gives some of the most beautiful commandments, I think.
But how does ethical conduct relate to meditation? Will a good moral make meditation more effective? Will meditation lead to a purification of character, making a good moral more natural in ones life?
Yes, you've understood my meaning correctly, regarding the role of ones life curriculum.
My meditation practice tends to change quite a bit, according to whatever phase of unfoldment I am in. Currently I am working with certain mantras for unifying my awareness with my "whole self."
I believe the primary relationship between meditation and ethical conduct is that meditation aligns you with what some call the "laws of nature," and with that part of you that knows what's in harmony with the greater good... and when you are attuned to these principles, right action flows naturally. (usually) :-)
I have not tried to meditate with mantras. I have "fallen in love" with the simple breath awareness meditation.
I think I have experienced what you describe with the right actions flowing naturally. Or at least I can say, that meditation gives me some clarity and calmness that make me more tuned in to understanding rather than being aggressively judgemental (which I unfortunately also can be).
hello, I have been meditating for 8 months now. I try to keep my meditating to 2 times a day for 10-15 mins. There were times over the 8 months where, looking back at it now, I probably over meditated. Longer than the recommended max of 20 mins. This happens when I find myself with a lot of free time. When I came home from college for winter break at the end of December through January, I found myself meditating quite frequently for long periods of time. During break I started to become depressed. So depressed that when I returned to school, I couldn't handle it and decided to drop my classes and am now living with my parents for the rest of the semester. I was feeling the happiest I have ever felt for the first 4 months of my meditation practice. I believe meditation was a main part of this happiness. I am now very depressed and filled with anxiety. I find it hard to talk to others and I am a completely different person than 4 months ago. Do you think meditation has anything to do with this? Do you think I should keep on meditating?
Yes, if the potential for such emotional conditions is already present, the powerful energies generated by over-meditating will tend to amplify these emotions.
I suggest you take a couple days off from your meditation schedule to allow these energies to settle down a bit. Then begin again, but only once a day for 10 - 15 minutes... just enough to facilitate the run-off of emotional toxins.
I would also strongly suggest getting some sort of exercise... daily if possible. Vigorous exercise would be very helpful, but exercise such as hiking would be good as well.
Hello Jim, i hope all is well. As for me i had a question. I will try to explain it as best as i can. Recently when i meditate, seeking no thought state, its almost like sometimes i drift away, and hear almost like weird sounds..not like vibrations or buzzing but sometimes like a random low pitch sound. Or sometimes a high. Just random noise is the best way to describe it i think. Not particlar songs but just random noises. They're not distinct sounds i can pinpoint on and describe its like when i start trying to notice and pay attention to them i almost like snap out of it, and seemingly they decease. A way i guess i can describe it is i drift off and maybe hear sounds or thoughts or noises within my head, and when i willingly start to explore into them theyre not noticable or on the forefront of my mind anymore...This is very confusing, i know, but hopefully you'll be able to make some sense out of this...Again i am trying to reach no thought state. Thanks for your time and gratitude.
You might compare the Cosmic Mind to the airwaves that carry all the various radio station frequencies, and your individual mind to a radio that receives the various frequencies as broadcasts. Generally you are tuned to only one station/frequency out of all the limitless possibilities. But when you meditate you are likely to begin noticing other frequencies beyond the primary frequency you are tuned to. Sometimes it's a frequency bleed-through, and sometimes you are expanding your awareness to encompass more than just a single frequency. Either way, it's best to simply accept it and come back to your primary object of focus.
No, meditation does not usually open ones perceptions to ghosts, although this can happen occasionally. It does, however, tend to increase ones general intuitive abilities.
Hello Jim, i hope all is well and thank you for this great service you are offering and your time. My question for you regards meditation. I havent spoken to you in a bit i dont know if you remember me as Burt maybe not it was some time ago. Anyways when i was well into my meditation last night after some time i then noticed my breathing seem to become more distint and i could actually then hear each breath as i breathed in and out, more so than i could previously or before i lay down to meditate. I dont know if a good description of it would be my breath got louder or more distinct or something im not sure exactly how to explain this. Hopefully you can make some sense out of it and if it means anything. Also what i thought was wierd was i heard in my left ear almost like my ear became unblocked like something was released i dont know if it was air or what. I hope to hear from you, thanks!
Hello Burt... You were quite likely hearing your breathing more distinctly due to temporarily heightened perception combined with the fact that the breathing sometimes tends to become more natural, rhythmic, deep and clear when in a very relaxed state.
I know of several people who's left ear suddenly unplugged in the past few weeks after being plugged for awhile... probably due to some allergen that's been around and has now subsided.
1. Yes, your inner voice can manifest as either gender.
2. There is no set formula for this. With practice and patience you will eventually begin to intuitively recognize the difference... discerning the "ring of truth" from all the noise.
Here's a tip: • True inner guidance is always gentle... never bossy or commanding.
I have been meditating daily for about a year (since the class at GHFC!). I have noticed that with increasing frequency, particularly while meditating horizontally on my back, I have been experiencing a vibrating/tingling feeling in my palms and fingers. As I relax my body, my hands begin to sloooowly open. This seems to be particularly the case when practicing mindfulness meditation and I bring my attention to the strongest sensations occurring within my body, which would be what is occurring in my hands. The more I make it the focus of my meditation, the stronger the sensation becomes.
My reading of this experience is that it is either 1) accumulated tension being released through my hands or 2) energy concentrating in my hands during meditation. While trying to refrain from judging this experience as good or bad, it feels like it is cleansing and healing.
Also, I have noticed that lately I have been experience a similar feeling around my third eye when I direct my awareness there.
Hi Steve... I'm happy to hear that you've kept up your meditation practice. Meditation nearly always triggers some degree of increase in the flow of inner energy, or "chi." Often it is too subtle to notice, but when it is a significant increase, the energy can be experienced as the vibrating/tingling sensation you are feeling. There are several factors which determine where in the body this energy will go.
One is that, as the healing force, it goes where it is needed to release tension and toxins and catalyze healing. Another is based on the principle that energy follows attention. So when you focus on your hands, third eye, etc., more chi will tend to flow to that area.
One more factor that can direct the flow of chi to the hands, is that some people have a natural tendency to channel healing energy through their hands. That doesn't necessarily mean it will produce miracles, :-) but you might try experimenting a bit with this potential ability on family, friends or pets.
Hi Jim, I've recently returned to meditation since reducing the work hours to spend more time being a mom and taking care of my spiritual self. I have been able to go very deeply lately. My third eye opens in which I see swirling deep purple colors.
Ten minutes before work I sat in the car (6am) to meditate before going into work (hospice nurse). Within 5 min I was in the purple and then went beyond. I entered a tunnel that was spinning slowly that looked like i was in space ( black sky with many stars).
It was a really neat experience. I want to get more out of this but not sure what to do. I'm working on finding more inner peace but find it a bit challenging . I am hoping the meditation will help. Any suggestions?
Hello Anna... That was indeed a "really neat" experience. Your awareness shifted/opened to a higher dimension. From this experience you can gain a deeper understanding and certainty that you are part of a vast universe which exists way beyond this limited physical dimension. However, experiences like this cannot be deliberately repeated. They occur spontaneously as a result of various factors converging.
However, with continued daily meditation, you will have other profound experiences, and you will begin to discover an inner peace - a stillness - that exists within you, regardless of what is going on in your mind, emotions and outer circumstances.
Hi I am meditating for several years now. I feel cool breeze on my head often when not meditating. But I don't feel breeze along my spine. Is this normal? Please reply. Thank you.
Hello Priya... When it comes to meditation, there is really no such thing as "normal," and there is no particular thing that you should be experiencing. The possibilities are endless, and it is best to simply accept whatever it is that you do experience.
hello jim Something just hit me the other day. people talk about doing meditation, affermations and visualizations to change themselves, their lives or manifest things in some way.
I think I figured out how it really works, those things (meditation, affermations etc) are used to change or bring things to you, they are used to remove your internatal blocks that prevent change and manifestations?
hello jim. things are going better for me. i hope u as well. well i do have a question howeever. well i am mentally geting stronger and more dissaplined in the art of meditation. my heart is also openening bigger than it has ever been and i am starting to see life in a whole different prospective. im finally understanding what it is meant to have nothing but love in your heart. so anywas last night i was meditating and i may have started to vaguely see different colors but its a bit unclear on account of it wasnt that noticable. sound at times became absolutely mute and i started i thought to hear different frequencies. i can now remain thoughtless for undefined amounts of time. i am starting to understand the definition of mental discpline and not being distracted by the nags of unnececesary and primitive thoughts. well to be honest a majority of thought is unneccesary and really does nothing but trip you up. the root mind has strength and wisdom beyond measure. i am starting to understand that. anywyas the next thing i remember is just waking up today(the next day) and assuming i must have fallen asleep somwhere during meditation. But the wierd thing is right now presently, in my ears, it sounds almost like my senses are stronger almost like a totally blank and absolute muteness sound, a sound or frequency i dont normally hear on a normal basis. it almost transpires into a ringing sound i have remembered hearing in meditation. any thouhgt on this jim. - Burt
Hello Burt... I'm happy to see that you are making such great progress. The sound you are experiencing is a naturally occurring frequency which is generally present within the body, but you are just noticing it now because 1. your senses are heightened, and 2. you are paying more attention to your internal landscape/soundscape. As with most phenomena, I suggest you take it as it comes, and - regardless of whatever experiences may come and go - appreciate the good progress you are making with your meditation practice and your spiritual growth.
I know you say your not a tai chi expert. but i did have a question that i was hoping you could answer.
I do Tai Chi, I stated about 3 months ago, doing it twice a week. Since I also do meditation and I know the feeling of having energy go through my body.
anyway, for the past 2 weeks my lower and heart cores give me that same feeling of warm energy when breath deeply.
I can often feel random surges of energy wash over me, it's not unbearable but it does make me feel more asseertive.
I know I'm making some progress. but I don't know why I feel this energy only a few moments at a time during the day when I'm not meditating or anything
You might say that Chi has "a mind of its own." Unless forced or obstructed, it tends to flow where it is needed, when it is needed there. Also, the flow of Chi to various bodily organs and systems is correlated with a specific time cycle. This cycle may or may not fit your current experience, but you can find the time correlations on this page:
Hello. I started meditating recently. Usually in the morning when I wake up and before I go to sleep. But this morning, I saw the face of a young man while meditating. It's been bothering me and I wasn't sure if that's a bad thing. Should I do something if it happens again?
No... it's not at all a bad thing. When you are in an altered state - and you always are to some degree when meditating - there are no limits as to what might pop into your mind or your mind's eye.
If this, or something similar, occurs again, I suggest you simply accept it as an interesting phenomenon and continue with your meditation.
Hello Jim, Its Burt. Not sure if u remember me, u seem to have so many people you work with, but you have helped me progress tremendously. My current question for you is last night when i was meditating my teeth began to chatter a bit. That has never happened to me when i've meditated before. I read a few things online and it was mentioned somewhere that this could be a sign that the body is releasing resistance. Do you have any thoughts on this Jim.
Hello Burt... I do indeed remember you. Unless you were in a very cold room, it was most likely the release of some tension, and yes, maybe a bit of resistance as well.
I have a question reguarding the inner sounds. I have been meditating for a few years and I usually begin by focusing on the inner sounds as I truely enjoy listening to them. Everything I have read says you will hear the sounds above the right ear and occastionaly above the left, but there is always the admonition not to focus your attention on the left side. I have also read the right side is the "thought current", and left side the "body current". I should also say I have fibromylgia. I usually do my meditation before bed in the evening as this suits my life style the best. It is unusual for me not to hear the sounds on the left side. Often it is so loud as to make focusing on the right side difficult. What is going on here? Is this possibly a measure of my body's fatique? When this happens I switch over to to a more visual focus, but I don't like avoiding the sounds as a point of focus as it will often lead me to the heart sound. Any suggestions? (Thank you for the opportunity to ask!)
I suggest that you pay no attention to these admonitons, as they are essentially too broad to apply to all individuals, and simply do what feels natural and good to you. And... most likely the fact that you are hearing the sounds more strongly on your left side is not in any way an indication that there is something wrong.
when we meditate and our mind brings up past painful expereinces, does the process of simply allowing them to come and go as in the mindfullness meditation help to release them?
I am doing breath meditation. I'm also reading a lot about meditation. I have read that neuro science is differentiating between focused attention meditation and open monitoring meditation.
I guess I'm doing the first - though with such a mild focus that I let thought and feelings come and go without getting involved in them.
I have also read that focused attention meditation and open monitoring meditation is being associated with samatha and vipassana meditation. And in both cases (what ever we call the meditation) I read "better words" about the latter - the open monitoring/vipassana meditation. It is often called more advanced and something that "builds" upon focused attention/samatha meditation.
What is your view on this? Should I some day leave my breath meditation/focused attention meditation behind and take up the open monitoring meditation?
Hello Thomas... I would not say that one practice is more advanced than the other, although I have found that the concept of "focussed attention" is a bit easier for beginning meditators to understand.
They are simply different bridges to virtually the same place... the experience of silent, non-judging, boundless awareness... the ultimate ground of being. While one method concentrates the attention, the other does somewhat the opposite, using a more diffuse, "choiceless awareness" as a vehicle.
I have found that the most profound meditation experiences - as well as the cumulative results - have little to do with the method we use or our personal efforts. So although different methods may help us develop slightly different mental skills along the way, in the end it's best to go with whatever method resonates most fully with you.
Thanks a lot for your answer. Then I will keep going with my focused attention (on my breathing) meditation.
I have found though, that as I become more experienced I can more or less shift my attention between these two poles of: focused attention and choiceless awareness or witnessing my thoughts and feelings. But in general I'm probably somewhere between them, though closer to the focused attention.
I have meditated for almost 3½ month now every single day. Earlier in my life I have been meditated as well, but on and off for periods. But now I have done it every single day since middle of february.
A week ago I was a bit tired when I meditated, and hypnagogia imagery and thoughts emerged. The thought was that I was dead, and that it was completely ok!
Then a few days ago while sleeping on my couch, I now dreamed that I was dead. First I communicated with some relatives, and then I turned my back and let the darkness surround me - but it was a very nice feeling of letting go. NO fear at all. I was at ease.
Then yesterday I was waiting for a meal on a restaurant - now completely awake! - and I suddenly felt something in me was dying. Now this time it was a bit more scary or intense, but very alluring... it didn't feel like physical death, but more like I was about to leave something behind that shouldn't be a part of me anymore.
Hello Thomas... Some part of us does indeed have to die for us to awaken to the peace, joy and freedom of our true spiritual nature. What is it that dies? It is essentially the illusion that we are in some way separate from the source of our being. That illusion is sometimes referred to as the ego-mind.
We all chose to temporarily buy into the illusion for the sake of fully experiencing this physical reality. But when it's time to wake up and remember that we are eternal spiritual beings, the illusion is dispelled... the ego-mind dies naturally.
I have been to your site and it’s really wonderful, I am very impressed with your work and appreciate it a lot. For past 1 month I am interested in meditation and I am doing “anapanasati” mindfulness of breathing for 20 minutes daily, but I am able to follow my breath for few minutes and then mind just wanders away and I feel like I am not progressing and I am not getting good level of concentrations. Please give some advice or suggestions on it, do I have to increase my time limits more to get deeper level of concentrations.
Hello Aditya... Your concentration will increase and your meditations will deepen naturally over time. (One month is not a lot of time when it comes to meditation.) However, even though staying focussed will get easier, it's best to not apply our mundane mindsets to meditation. That is to say, "expectations," and even the idea of "improvement," are best put aside as much as possible.
There are numerous factors that effect each meditation - our effort/ability is only one of these. Therefore, I suggest you continue sitting for 20 minutes a day, and accept whatever happens in each session.
I am meditating every day and has done so for more than 3 months. I know it isn't long, but I'm glad I have not missed a single day.
I use to meditate 20-30 minutes 1-2 times a day. But today I just wanted to sit longer... it was so "easy" to meditate today. My mind rested on my breathing almost by itself. Then about 40-45 minutes into my meditation I slowed my breathing - I can slow my breathing to almost nothing in an "easy" meditation, like my body doesn't need that much air. ...And I focused all my attention on my breathing.
- Then I felt like I could let go of my body. I began to lose my touch with it, and my mind became almost totally emptied of thoughts. And though it was wonderful, I got a bit scared. In the proces I began to see more and more light (though my eyes was absolutely closed) - it became almost white. But I "woke myself up" of it. Because I felt like if I should go further I *really* had to LET GO completely!
Hello Thomas... You were on the verge of an experience that has been referred to by various terms... samadhi, satori, transcendence, etc. It is an experience of union with the light of your Spiritual Self, and/or the boundless Universal Self.
However, it is not uncommon for fairly new meditators to experience that same fear of letting go, and suddenly balk, thereby disallowing the full depth of the experience.
But that's ok... for some, it simply takes a bit of time, and more experience of the deeper states, to develop the trust necessary to let go completely. The more "tastes" like this you receive, the more you will come to realize at a deep level that surrendering to the "ground of your being" is not only safe, but extremely enjoyable.
These two questions arrived separately, but I assume they are from the same person.
First, meditation raises your awareness to a perspective where you eventually realize that people are not "sinners," but do harmful things out of fear and ignorance... that harmful actions are essentially an indication that there is still much growth needed and many lessons still to learn.
Second, meditation gradually aligns you with the universal law of love and opens you to the deep awareness that we are all connected. With this alignment and awareness, you begin to spontaneously do the right thing, and it becomes increasingly easier to avoid harming anyone.
If you are asking if ones life conditions will improve as a result... yes, a clear conscience generally opens the door to more desirable conditions.
Id like to start by thanking you for this Q&A blog, and website.
I am new to meditation and have started a mindfullness class that goes for 8 weeks. For the first 5 weeks, I meditated for about 30minutes per day. I felt absolutely amazing at this point. By the 6th week we had a 6hour silent retreat.
Immediately after this retreat, I began to feel VERY intense negative feeling, and a VERY uncomfortable mental state. Words to describe my mental state include despressed, anxious, fatigued, confused, and scared.
After reading articles from your site, I understand that this was TOO much, TOO fast, and my body is likely detoxing a great deal of emotional/mental toxins.
Now, 8 days after the retreat, I am still feeling terrible. Things I have done to work with this are: drinking a lot of water, lots of whole foods/fiber, having alkaline foods such as lemons etc..
I am here to ask your guidance. What can I do to help get past this release as fast as possible? Is what Im already doing helpful?
Possible ideas i have to add id are: Sauna/sweating, more meditation (sitting or walking? - I HAVENT meditated since the retreat due to fear of more release!)
Hello Ryan... Here are some suggestions for things you might add to what you are already doing:
• Get some daily exercise. Hiking out in nature would be ideal, but any type of physical exercise would be helpful.
• Resume your meditation, but keep it to just 10 minutes a day. A simple breath-awareness meditation would be advisable, and it would be best if you don't concentrate too hard... just focus on your breathing with relaxed effort.
• Your sauna idea sounds like it would be helpful as well. So if there's one nearby, give it a try.
• If possible, spend a bit of time being mindful of the emotions that are lit up. Detoxing tends to amplify emotional stuff that already exists on a smaller scale, and "raw attention" - just being present with it - is often what is needed for it to be healed. Not much fun, but effective.
There is no way to say how long it will take to get through this intense release period. But if you continue doing what you've been doing, and incorporate some or all of these suggestions, you will be expediting the process and should start feeling better soon.
Hello Ryan... The purpose of meditating just 10 minutes a day is to allow the detoxification to wind down to a comfortable level without abruptly cutting off this valuable process.
Although 10 minutes should not exacerbate the situation, everyone's nervous system is wired differently, so there is no guarantee that it will not. Therefore, if you notice that resumed meditation seems to be making the detox symptoms worse, then discontinue your daily sessions.
And yes, continue observing any negative feelings that may arise. Your breathing is your primary object of focus, but pay attention to the emotions as well... mainly by just feeling them and allowing them to be there.
So by discontinuing meditation, as I have done since the retreat, this doesn't necessarily help the detoxification come to an end more quickly, correct?
I will begin to meditate for 10 minutes per day once again.. Hopefully this will help bring this detoxification phase to a close more quickly than abstaining..
I also have notice my symptoms come and go at times, usually being the worst upon waking.. Is this fairly universal?
Thank you for your time. What you do is greatly appreciated.
Discontinuing your meditation will help curtail the detox process, but meditating just a little bit each day should help it wind down more smoothly and comfortably. This is not an exact science, so if your experience over the next week or two does not support this, then simply discontinue your meditation again.
There is really no universal pattern regarding this sort of time-frame.
I look forward to deepen my meditation, so that I may experience a full samadhi some day.
I didn't knew I was capable to reach that state.
I know that it is best to meditate without expectations - and I enjoy all my meditations more and more. Just being in stillness.
Is it possible to reach samadhi within the time frame of 20 minutes twice a day? This is what I do for now.
I have meditated every day from the 14th February, and I really want to encourage everyone to keep meditating every day. Every day is a key word for me.
I'm a big fan of "every day" too. :-) Yes it is possible to experience the various levels of samadhi meditating twice daily as you are.
You may have noticed that the deeper experiences in meditation are brought about by something beyond your own effort and capacity. Certain spiritual energies converge at a certain time and suddenly you find yourself in a deep state of consciousness. Call it "spiritual grace" or whatever you like, but it is available to us at anytime... and naturally the more regularly we sit and make ourselves receptive to these energies, the greater the likelihood of experiencing samadhi.
i have just acroos this website and i am really stressed out. things are really out of control. and my life is falling apart. i am trying to do meditation so i can control my anger to people who hurt me and try to forget everything is being said and heard bad in period of time and try to be calm down. but everytime i try to do meditation and try to breath in and out my heart starts beating very fast and for some reason i cannot see things clear and cann't focus my mind. any suggestions thanks
Yes, I have a few suggestions. • I suggest you breathe naturally, just like you do when you are not meditating.
• Think of meditating as just another thing to do... like making a sandwich or taking a shower. That will help you avoid any tendency to get anxious about doing it well or correctly.
• Your attention will wander - that's natural. Just make a medium effort to stay focussed, and bring your attention back whenever you notice it has drifted off. You will still get results.
Meditation will help with what you are going through, but please keep in mind that it is not an instant cure. You will have to give it sufficient time. If you do - meditating for just 10 to 15 minutes a day - you will start to see positive results.
Hi Jim The only colors I see when meditating so far arew deep purple with fluffy white clouds almost yellow rings in them and they seem to form letters sometime but I can not make them out. Should I be seeing more or this at all. A while back I experienced connecting with spirits in my room and orbs and I feel they are trying to communicate with me so I wanted to try meditation. I have only been doing it for 2 weeks. I have called upon my spirit guides to help but I can not tell if they are around.
When it comes to seeing colors - or anything - in meditation, there are no "shoulds." I suggest you go into meditation with an attitude of, "If I see something interesting, ok... if not, ok." It's fine to enjoy the added entertainment, but best to not read too much into it. With that said, the color purple in meditation can, at times, indicate the presence of ones spiritual guides.
If you continue meditating, your intuition will develop further and you will be better able to perceive and communicate with the subtler energies/intelligences around you. But since everyone is hardwired differently, it's not possible to know at what pace your intuition will develop.
Dear Jim, I have meditated daily for almost 5 months now. I enjoy it. And my breathing will often be no more that 2-3 breaths per minute of my meditation. Slow breathing, but it feels easy, soothing and very enjoyable.
The last couple of weeks I have felt two feelings, I have had in my past too. Hate and guilt.
Hate when I don't feel recognized or appreciated. And that often happens if I don't want to play the "social game" that I often feel is going on. The game that wants one to laugh at the right time, say the right things, etc. to be part of the howling wolves and not a loner (maybe I'm already off track and deluded here; constructing and idea of a "social game". Hmmm...).
Guilt when I think about things I have said in the past about someone, words which I really didn't mean at all, but simply said because of 'me', not the other. For instance if I have been judgemental or said something to ... I don't know ... distance me from a person that I really liked - but still making a distance maybe because I didn't want to come face to face to some feelings inside me or a part of myself I wasn't ready to confront.
Now, these meta-thoughts are new to me. Diving into the problem this way is new to me. Trying to take responsibility for what I'm doing or saying is probably a bit new to me. And I credit it to meditation.
What has happened the last couple of weeks is, that I have felt these 'old known' feelings of hate and guilt from the past (feelings that may be glued to different situations than in the past though). But what is different is, that these two feelings have risen in me like a MOUNTAIN.
I honestly feel that the feelings I experience are bigger than my little skin can embrace ... and still, maybe I can embrace them, because there's also another new dimension to this: I can keep my attention on these feelings EVEN THOUGH THEY HURT. And (because of meditation, I think) I can keep my attention on them without wandering.
And this helps me to another thing: Because I can keep my attention on my feelings, even though they feel like a mountain, I want to let this silent flow, this surrendering, be my medicine. In the past I ran away, *thought* myself away. I constructed thoughts, meanings, interpretations, etc. to "get away" from the feelings. Now I want to face them, feel them, having them in my silent attention, just acknowledging them.
To be precise, it is especially the hate that feels like a mountain. Guilt feels like a knife that makes my heart bleed. They are both powerful feelings.
Could this be a part of the detoxification proces? Or do you have any other comments? I appreciate your feedback very much as always.
Thank you for a wonderful site and for your deep and great help.
The surfacing of these deeply-rooted feelings at this time is indeed part of a detoxification, as well as an internal healing process. And the reason they are so amplified, is to make sure that they get your attention, as your attention is what is most needed to heal them and get past them.
Your insight and self honesty regarding this situation, indicates you are making good progress. The fact that you are willing to keep your attention focussed on these raw emotions - to be fully present with them despite the discomfort - is commendable and will serve to expedite your healing process as well as your spiritual awakening.
A little update on how I'm doing: Exactly one week after the "detox reaction" I was experiencing, I woke up and it had completely subsided! I felt GREAT for a full week after that.
Then, after that full week of feeling good, I began to experience some insomnia that seemed to get progressively worse.
I havent meditated for about three weeks now (since the retreat). I was not feeling any form of stress when I began to have this insomnia, either.
I have made the choice to take a few months away from meditation since the harsh detox reaction. But I am wondering if you think that this insomnia I've been experiencing for the past week could be related to the meditation I was doing.
I actually hope it isn't, and it doesnt seem like it could be since I experienced a full week of feeling "my normal self" after the detox reaction.
I guess I've developed a sort of paranoia of negative experiences after the detox reaction I went through. I would just like to hear your thoughts. Thank you.
Hi Ryan... After a reaction like yours, I would be wary too. Btw, I hope you've let your meditation teacher know about what you experienced as a result of that retreat. I try not to judge other teachers, but I believe it should be brought to his/her awareness what 6 straight hours of meditating can trigger in beginning meditators.
There is no way to know for certain whether or not your sleep problem is related to the meditation retreat, but there is a good chance that it is. One of the things that over-meditating does, is amp up the flow of chi to levels that can disrupt sleep patterns. However, the higher vibrational frequencies in our atmosphere (due to the planetary consciousness shift that is occurring) are causing sleep problems for many individuals as well. So the cause could be one of these, or both together... or neither.
Regardless of the cause, following my original suggestion would be helpful for your situation: If you are not currently doing so, get some exercise - daily or at least several times a week. Hiking out in nature would be ideal, but any type of physical exercise would be helpful.
If, after trying this, your sleep problem persists, feel free to let me know.
I lift weights daily and work a physical job. Do you recommend I do cardio, or exercise that get my heart rate up higher?
Chi is a different energy than kundalini, correct? I've heard of some scary experiences from over-amping kundalini, but I can't relate to the symptoms of over-amping kundalini.
Will the chi eventutually come back down to normal levels through a little bit of time and exercise etc?
As of now, I'm assuming my sleep issues were a result of the retreat. I am still experiencing waking several times per night and sleep that doesn't feel "deep."
Thinking back.. Years ago, I did have some severe insomnia for a few months of stressful times In my past.. Maybe this is just a form of clearing?
Also, will sitting outside with my bare feet on the earth help my situation?
I'm becoming very fearful that I will never feel "normal" again. Probably a very irrational fear, but I just need some reassurance.
I did explain to my instructor what I dealt with.. Her advice was to "be with whatever comes up," and also reccomended doing some hatha yoga.
Hi Ryan... Good that physical activity is part of your daily routine. That probably accounts for why your initial symptoms passed so quickly. The cardio aspect is not so important here... it's more the "grounding" aspect and strengthening of your nervous system that is valuable, as well as having an avenue through which to channel the excess energy.
Given what you are doing to remedy this, your chi should settle down to normal levels before too long. And your idea to be outside with your feet on the earth will quite likely expedite the normalizing process.
Actually chi and kundalini are both names for the same life force energy that we all run on. However, there is much outdated and inaccurate information surrounding the term "kundalini." Due to our accelerated evolution, we have come a long way over the past 30 years in our capacity to deal with higher levels of this energy. Many of the problems you may have read about most likely occurred some years back. Since we are becoming more aclimated to an increased flow of this energy, experiences like yours are more typical of the difficulties one is likely to encounter these days. That's not to say that caution isn't necessary when dealing with this powerful energy... it most certainly should be approached with caution and common sense. But much of the fear around this term is unwarranted, given our current state.
As mentioned, your situation should normalize before long. However, if your sleep difficuties persist, please e-mail me at: jmalloy@meditationcenter.com
I meditate, do pranayama and most recently started doin eft.
I'm working on clearing out my negative stuff. I'm not sure if you have any info about eft but something i wanted to ask and I hoped you could tell me.
I started doing eft maybe a week ago and when I tapp there have been times I felt total bliss. however a few days and times I feel like I got ran over by a bus.
I read about the topic on detoxification phases and I was wondering if doing eft had the same result.
Yes, EFT can trigger a detoxification process as well. The principle is simple: "Clear out the old to make room for the new." However, if you feel like you've been run over by a bus, you may be over-tapping a bit.
Hello, I want to say about my personal experience about meditation, I have been meditating for a year. My meditations began at 10 minutes of breath meditation a day to now 45 minutes of mindfulness meditation a day.
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«Oldest ‹Older 401 – 600 of 1042 Newer› Newest»I can't address the issue of astral projection because it is outside my field of expertise. However, regarding meditation... progress rarely, if ever, falls into a nice clear linear order. This is because there are innumerable factors which determine what occurs in each meditation for each unique individual.
As a result of this, you might go through a period in which every meditation session feels deep and easy, and then right on the heels of that, go through a stretch of meditations in which it seems like nothing much is happening but a bunch of thoughts. When something like this occurs, is it because you are regressing rather than progressing? No... it is simply part of your growth process and the immeasurable cycles occurring within it.
So although it is natural to want to know if you are progressing, it's best if you can put that aside and learn to trust that you are getting exactly what you need from each meditation.
With that said, if you are finding yourself able to "snap out of your random thoughts" and come back to a state of alertness more quickly, then I would say you are making good progress. :-)
Jim
sometimes I expereince strong highs and lows threw out the day since I've been meditating.
is this part of the detoxicifation?
also how does meditation detoxifiy us? and rid us of negative beleifs?
Yes, this is a typical "symptom" of the detox process. It will pass and you will be free of those particular emotional toxins.
However, if you are meditating for more than 15 - 20 minutes a day, decreasing your meditation time to 10 or 15 minutes will quite likely reduce the intensity of these emotional swings.
Meditation increases the flow of the healing life force energy within you, and the increased flow of this energy through your system washes away the physical and emotional toxins. It is best if this process goes gently, and that is accomplished through not over-meditating.
Negative beliefs are released as a result of the increased awareness which meditation produces.
Hello Jim,
I suffer from anxiety problems and other social problems and my pyschologist suggested trying meditation to quiet things down in my mind and ive been meditating now for about 2 and a half months and im starting to actually feel like my mind isnt racing so fast at times. Like its slowing down and i can think better. Are these some effects of meditation when a mentally ill person is trying them out? Do u think the calming of my mind is an advantage i gained from meditation, or just a coincidence? Thanks for your time Jim. Namaste.
Hello Burt...
These are effects that most individuals experience from meditating, regardless of their state of mental health. Yes, I certainly do think that calming your mind is advantageous... and I don't think it is just a coincidence because I hear it so often from meditators. Keep on keeping on, Jim
Hi Jim
I am doing the mindfullness of breath exercise. During the exercise, I observe the the sensations of the breath in my abdomen. I observe these sensations a bit more closely(being aware of some of the more prominent details), because this help me stay awake and hold my attention on the breath. I focus only gently with relaxed effort. (An evidence for this is that I often drift off and loose track of the breath.)
I dont think that if I observe the breath a bit more closely (and with only a mild effort), this prevents me from reaching a calm meditative state.
Am I right?
Yes you are.
Hello
I have a question, on your website you stated that one of the useage for meditation is manifesting.
I don't undertand that, what do you mean by manifesting?
Also... how can meditation increase creativity?
• "Manifesting" is a term used to describe the process of creating or changing conditions in ones life through the use of the mind. A typical way this is done in meditation is through the use of "visualization"... the act of seeing or sensing a desired condition internally, which sets a process in motion that (ideally) leads to the intended outcome externally. Another name you are likely to hear applied to this principle is "the law of attraction."
This process can be used for a variety of purposes... for example, self healing and optimizing athletic performance.
• Meditation increases creativity by opening ones awareness to the universal creative energy and intelligence.
Hello,
Thanks for answering one of my questions =) Recently i was adviced to focus only on my breath and when a thought comes, i must move back to the breath. ive tried this and normally my mind gets bored of just focusing on the breath, or i get that whole thing where my mind seems to be thoughtless but really im not. kind of like that whole thing where someone imagines them self waking up in the morning and turning the alarm clock off...even though they're really still sound asleep in bed....so my main question is how do i stick with the breath and not veer off into other things? will this get easier with time? if it does how so? Thanks! namaste
~ kamau
Hello Kamau...
Focussing on your breath - or on nearly any "object of focus" in meditation - will become easier over time. Like anything, the more you practice, the more it begins to come easily and naturally.
However, it is not absolutely necessary to stay with a "breath awareness" meditation if it does not resonate with you. There are many meditation methods... you can find several of them at the Online Meditation Center.
The dreamlike state you are experiencing in some of your meditations is actually a fairly beneficial state and is generally an enjoyable space to be in. The Sanskrit term for this state is "yoga nidra."
Hello Jim
I wanted to sak, when I meditate now. I can feel a sensation over my whole body each time it's a feeling of being submerged in water.
what is this?
It is a combination of deep relaxation and increased spiritual energy running upward through your body.
Hello Jim,
I am here with a question about an experience i had recently. I was meditating then all of a sudden i started hearing this long flat sound. It didnt last long but it confused me. The sound eventually stopped and i just continued meditating. Do u know what that sound was and what it meant??
Thanks! Namaste
A "long flat sound" doesn't give me any clues about what it might be specifically. However, most any sound that you'll hear while meditating which is not occurring in your physical surroundings or within your physical body, will be a higher dimensional frequency or conversation that you have tuned in to.
Namaste, Jim
Hello
sometime when I get into deep meditation, I think of things that make no sense at all.
just random images and things that I've never experienced before, what is this?
When you meditate, your attention dives from the surface of your mind - where your "normal" thinking takes place - into the deeper realms of your mind - where the thoughts are subtler, more ethereal or dream-like. Sometimes these thoughts and images will make sense, but more often they will appear nonsensical, as you are discovering.
hello jim,
i had a question thats been elluding me for some time now as to wat it was. basically sometimes, normally in the early hours of the morning when i wake up,but not fully up still feeling tired so i close my eyes. and i am at the half asleep half awake state, and i sometimes hear sounds or music. normally when i actually take in account and realize wats going on..it stops...do u know what this may be??
If the sounds are not occurring in in your physical surroundings, then you are tuning in to sounds occurring on a non-physical dimension. In that "half awake-half asleep" state, you are also partly focussed in this physical reality and partly focussed in a non-physical reality.
Hello Jim,
I began to sob quite heavily the other day when I first began to meditate. I mean immediately -- just a couple of breaths and the dam broke. I sure wasn't expecting that. I was alone so I just let it come out and when it stopped, I was fine. I felt pretty good actually.
What would make a person sob like that? Do you think that I released some sort of negative energy or past trauma perhaps?
Peace,
Sheryl
Hello Sheryl...
Yes, that is indeed what you experienced - the release of something toxic or traumatic from your past. Although the release process is generally less dramatic, it is a very valuable part of the process of growth and healing which meditation catalyzes. You are now free of whatever it was that you had been carrying around.
If you happen to experience this again, letting the sobbing come freely, as you did, is the best way to deal with it.
Wishing you much light on your journey, Jim
I have been meditating for almost a year. Occasionally I would bring my self to a place with breathing where I would move kundalini up my body, working out blocks. This evolved into a shaking, then a blacked out seizure state (it's been described I only remember bliss) Now I am finding that this feeling is on always near. Like it's getting harder to control. I don't need a doctor, this is self induced. Nobody has this side effect. What is this? no one has heard of such a thing. It's sort of disruptive. I hurt my neck last time (i was outside) I really like outside, but it's getting dangerous.
This is actually one of the typical side effects of over-amping on the energy known as kundalini. Triggering too much of this powerful energy can lead to various other uncomfortable side effects as well.
How does one over-amp on kundalini? 1. By deliberately moving it up the body as you have been doing. (I guess nobody warned you about this.) 2. By over-meditating, which, for most indviduals means more than 20 - 30 minutes a day. and 3. By concentrating too strenuously when meditating.
I strongly suggest you discontinue the practice of moving this energy, and if you have been meditating for longer periods, I suggest you cut back to 15 - 20 minutes a day. This should allow the energy to subside to a more comfortable flow.
If the symptoms persist - or even if they don't - it would be advisable to get some physical exercise... preferably something safe and gentle, such as hiking out in nature. But if you are concerned about blacking out, be careful and go with a friend if possible.
Hello Jim,
Well im here to ask u a question and hopefully you can answer it. Last night when i was meditating i started to hear a buzzing sound. I didnt know what it was and i thouhgt it was a fly flying around in my room. So i became too curious and opened my eyes...and there was no fly anywhere. I checked everywhere. And another wierd thing was even after my eyes were opened for a while i could still hear the buzzing in my head. Do you know what that was??
A buzzing sound that is not in ones physical surroundings is generally one of two things: The inner "sound current," which is the sound ones inner spiritual energy sometimes makes as it flows through the head region... or the body's vibrations that one may feel or perceive as a buzzing sound just prior to having an out of body experience.
Hello
this may or may not be your field and I'm not really big into "signs" but, is it possible that our "higher selves" will speak to us in the form of signs?
the reason I ask is, lately I've been seening a constant repeatative symbols virtually everywhere.
I don't try to look for them I just notice them. and each one reminds me of a single person I know, all three of these 'signs' bring them into mind, and as I said, I'm not big into signs, I don't actively look for them.
these signs they pop up almost EVERYWHERE, I could forget about them intirely and then one just randomly pops up.
is my higher self trying to tell me something?
what do you think?
Yes, I've seen this occur. Sometimes external signs can act as a bridge to your inner wisdom. It's ok to acknowledge them and give some thought to what their message might be. However, it's generally good to consider the situation rationally before taking any action based on one of these signs.
Over amped kundalini girl here.
Thank you so much Jim for answering my question.
I have a very physical job & a two year old, so I pretty well move constantly. I go out in nature & it becomes more intense.
I actually had been avoiding meditating to calm this down, but it was appearing at inappropriate times so i felt like i should take care of it. I really wasn't in the space for very long when this happened last(1 min maybe).
This was so hard, fast & unexpected that I finally just got fed up and wrote that.
I feel like it comes from the ground through my feet. I'm not really that in control of that part. However, I almost feel like it builds, becomes painfully blocked in areas and pushes me to move it. I really feel like if i don't do it every now & then it will manifest as sickness or promiscuity.
Nobody really showed me how to do this or warned me about anything, it just sort of appeared and evolved very quickly. all info I have is through reading.
If this is manifesting I feel like it's for a reason. I'm sure I'm not the first person to go through this.
I guess my real concern is whether or not it's actually dangerous in a spiritual sense. I actually feel like I'm becoming empathetic to a fault lately. Is there a discipline more inclined to managing this kind of energy? Yoga intensifies this too.
There are two things to consider here in regards to alleviating this. One, is getting the intensified flow of energy to subside. And the other is clearing up whatever is blocking its flow.
Much of this energy does indeed come up from the earth, and it does tend to flow in without our deliberate intent. However, once it has become over-intensified, meditation tends to trigger more of it. Therefore, it would be a good idea to continue avoiding meditation for now. This should allow the energy to begin quieting down.
However, when you notice the energy becoming uncomfortably blocked, I suggest you take a little time to sit - with your eyes closed or open - and rather than trying to move the energy, simply feel the sensation that is occurring where it is blocked. Direct your attention gently to one blocked area at a time, and just be present with the feeling until it wanes.
I believe you are correct in thinking that this is occurring for a reason. Generally the purpose of this sort of experience is to call your attention to something internal that needs to be brought to light and resolved. Usually it is an emotional issue or past trauma that is attempting to surface and be healed, but it's not limited to that. You can generally find clues in the areas where the energy is blocked, especially if it is in one or more chakras.
Can this be dangerous? If it continues unchecked, it can lead to some imbalances in the nervous system, chakra system and endocrine system... and yes, it can catalyze the kind of over-sensitivity you are experiencing.
Aside from the above suggestions, there may be some forms of gentle movement that will not exacerbate the situation like Yoga tends to do. I suppose the only way to find out would be to experiment a bit with exercises like Tai Chi, etc.
One more thing I would suggest, is to drink hot water with ginger and honey. This has been known to calm the flow of Kundalini.
Hello Jim,
Im wondering if you can give me some advice. Well i have spoke back to you many times in the past and we've spoken about ap. I understand you dont know much about it but i have noticed i am getting better and better at it at remaining thoughtless and keeping my focus. =) Anyways i just wanted to ask you about prescribed medication. I take prescribed anti psychotic and anti depressant medicine and medicine for the side effects of the medicine etc from my doctor and i read somewhere to astral project you must be free of alchol and drugs. Im wondering if the prescibed medication i take daily from my doctor count as drugs that are prohibited as well as other street drugs and if they will effect my chances of projection. I personally dont think so because i feel i have been improving in meditation with your help and others that give me advice about ap. So anyways my main question is do you think taking my doctor prescribed medicine will hinder me or prevent me from experiencing astral projection? Thanks for reading this message and your time =)
I'm sorry, but I really don't know enough about astral projection to address that. However, if you are taking medication and still making progress with your meditation, that's a good sign.
Hello Jim,
Thanks for all your gracious help you have given me. I think i am progressing and starting to understand my meditation better. I am practicing to have an obe, something your not too familiar with i know, =) but what i am starting to understand is that the no thought state, the state i try my best to obtain, is merely the fully conscious alert stage. Its the now. Thoughts and ideas try to clog that state and it takes a lot of time and dedication to obtatin complete thoughtlessness. I can dwell in it momentarily now. =) Practice is really a thing of beauty. But i came here to ask you a question and hopefully you can give me some direction. Why is it that some days i feel more focused and "alert" and thoughtless you may say, and other days it seems not as easy? Some days it seems easier to induce. Do you have any thoughts on this?
Hello Burt...
It sounds like you are indeed making good progress. Most meditators experience what you are describing... some days meditation is clear, deep and easy, while other days the mind is foggy and unfocussed no matter what you do.
There are many factors which cause this, but the main factor is a cycle of "clearing" and "clarity" which is an integral part of the meditation process.
When you are in the part of this cycle in which you are clearing away a lot of inner toxins - physical and emotional - the mind becomes somewhat like a pond with all the muck from the bottom stirred up and clouding the water. But when this clearing phase is finished, and the mind is free of that block of toxic sludge, there is more clarity, less thought activity, and the way is open for the attention to dive more deeply within.
This cycle can be of any duration - from one meditation to several weeks - but when you understand that it is all part of a positive process of healing and growth, there is less of a tendency to struggle and become frustrated on those muck-filled clearing days.
I have become interested in the use of affirmations. What theme should one follow when doing affirmations?
Thanks!
Your theme should be closely related to whatever you are trying to accomplish with your affirmations, for example: better general health... healing a particular illness... more fulfilling relationships... getting over an unhealthy habit... experiencing more peace and contentment in your life, etc.
When creating your affirmation, it is important to always frame it in positive terms related to the desired outcome, such as... "I am enjoying perfect health," rather than "I am overcoming such and such health problem."
Hello sir
I would like some advice. I'm trying to help people with a issue they are having about detachment. I tell them about it but they don't know how to.
can you recommend anything I can tell them to help them practice detachment more?
thank you
Detachment is partly a natural process of outgrowing those things and aspects of our life which we are attached to... and partly an act of mentally letting go.
Whereas the first part - growing beyond our attachments - occurs gradually via our consciousness evolution, but is expedited through meditation... the second part - mentally letting go - is a conscious moment-to-moment choice. We can mentally cling to a life circumstance, possession, desired outcome, belief, etc... or we can choose to let it go.
For example: Physically, we can grasp an object by contracting and tensing our hand to make a fist, or release the object by expanding and relaxing our hand.
Mentally holding on or letting go is a similar process, but subtler. Our mind contracts to hold onto an idea... and expands and relaxes to let it go.
You can find a very simple exercise for letting go on this page...
Letting go
I have been practicing mindfulness meditation consistently for the past two weeks, although I have practiced it inconsistently for about 3 years.
Today, about 10 minutes prior to my meditation session, I asked myself a question regarding a matter in my personal life and didn't think much of it beyond that. About 5 minutes into my 15 minute session arose a very abrupt and powerful insight into the question that I'd asked prior to my session. It was not, and hasn't been my intention to use my meditation for this purpose. My question is, is this a common occurence? Is there a significance to this occurence, and are there practices/meditations that are designed for this pupose?
Receiving a sudden insight to a question in meditation happens quite a bit, albeit not all the time. And yes, there are meditations designed specifically for receiving insight and guidance that can be effective for doing this. However, the valuable dynamic you have just discovered, is that this process tends to work best when done fairly effortlessly and without putting a lot of weight on the need to receive an answer. Conversely, trying too hard tends to obstruct the inflow of guidance and insight.
Hi Jim,
I first taught myself meditation when i was about 15. I was never able to stay focused and free of thoughts for long, but when i did it was often accompanied by a strange sense of disassociation - that i was leaning at 45 degree angle, for example, or hovering horizontal to the floor. When i opened my eyes of course i hadn't moved.
I haven't really meditated for a few years (i'm now 27) although found it quite easy to get back in to it. However now it seems my experience is either very mild (thoughts fade but never completely go away) or very intense. I can feel an electricity that comes up my spine to the top of my head and all my body seems to fizz. I can hold on to the feeling for maybe a minute but then i have to let go, bringing the meditation to an end.
I'd like to know:
a) Is this normal?!
b) Can i control it to allow meditations to last longer?
c) Is it a 'good thing'? Should i cultivate it, and if so, how?
Thanks Jim.
Dan
Hello Dan...
a. This energy is always flowing upward through the body during meditation, but it is not always intense enough to perceive directly. However, because its overall intensity level is increasing at this time, more and more meditators are beginning to experience this energy more clearly. So in that sense, it is becoming more "normal."
b. It is best to not try to control it. But just because the intensity peaks and subsides does not mean that your meditation is over. I suggest you continue for awhile afterward, enjoying whatever is occurring. This gives your system a bit of time to integrate the effects and transition gradually back to its familiar state.
c. Yes, it is a good thing... the flow of this energy is largely responsible for raising your consciousnesss and clearing physical and emotional toxins from your system. But no, you should not do anything to cultivate it. This energy has an inherent intelligence, and when not interfered with, it regulates its flow naturally according to your system's capacity to conduct it.
Hello
thank you for your previous response, I'm the one who asked about higher guidence.
I have anothr question, I feel this is true yet I don't know what to make of it.
I'm told that there are no mistakes. if someone doesn't something little and doesn't mean anything of it, how does something so small of a purpose?
is there a way to understand or find out the purpose for these little things?
I'm sorry, but I don't understand your question. If you would like to clarify, and maybe include an example or two, perhaps I can answer it.
I'm sorry I'll try to clearify.
I was told that there are no coincidences, or mistakes that everything has a reason for happening.
if this is true, what of little things. like say someone called you by mistake?
Yes, there is some truth to that. Looking at the big picture, there is a perfect order to everything, and all that occurs and has its place and purpose within that grand scheme. However, if you were to try to figure out the meaning of every occurrence, you would make yourself somewhat crazy fairly quickly.
I suggest you trust your intuition to prompt you as to what events are worth checking out regarding their special meaning, and to clue you in as to what that meaning is. Just be a bit mindful about projecting what you "want" an event to mean onto a particular occurrence.
Dear Jim
First of all may I compliment you on your wonderful, helpful and engaging website. Your sustained effort in maintaining it and answering all these varied queries so lucidly is much appreciated.
I learned Vipassana insight meditation on a retreat a year ago, and I'm soon to embark on another retreat. Meditation has become a powerful and transformational force in my life. Having experienced many challenges and also profound and beautiful states of awareness / totality on my initial retreat, I maintained a regular practice through the first four months of this year. But then I let it slip for a few months. I have recently taken it up again and have resolved not to let it slip again.
I realise that I need to get back into the swing again with regular practice over time, but it seems that my concentration is really extraordinarily bad at the moment. As bad as it has ever been. My mind is more 'simian' than ever, and is constantly - I mean constantly- on the roam. Also, a rather indecorous new element has entered my practice - namely, I burp loudly and often, and often yawn widely too.
Anamolous as it sounds, could it be that I am 'trying too hard'? is that the root of the distractedness? And are you able to advise me as to the nature of the burping and yawning? I understand that it is some kind of movement of energy, but what, exactly?
Many thanks
Om Shanti
Glenn
Hello Glenn...
All that burping and yawning should make for a very interesting retreat. :-) Yes, an increase in the flow of your inner spiritual energy - aka chi - is involved in all of this phenomena. The stepped up energy is releasing stored up tensions and toxins from your system, and the "run-off" from this clearing process can take a variety of forms - including burping and yawing - but most commonly, increased thought activity, which goes hand in hand with decreased concentration.
It is all part of a cyclic process... a cycle of clearing followed by greater clarity. During the clearing phase, there is virtually always an increase in thought activity, and consequently a greater tendency for the mind to wander. This clearing opens the door for one to experience greater depth and clarity when the inner obstructions have been removed. This cycle can be of any duration - from one meditation to several weeks or months - but it is all part of a positive process of growth.
Generally, during this phase, increasing the effort level does not help much, so I suggest you simply meditate with relaxed or "medium" effort, accepting that it's okay and natural for the mind to roam a bit, and knowing that it will eventually pass.
Hello Jim,
I hope all is well =). Things are ok with me so far. However, there was about 4 to 5 day stretch where i was unable to practice my meditation and i missed out for those days. So yesterday i was feeling a little better so i meditated and i think as i told u already, it wasnt my best session... It was just filled with random pointless thoughts. Its like my mind was fighting with me to put thoughts in my head. So now today, being the second day in a row i began to meditate daily again, it was a little bit better than yesterday but still i couldnt seem to quiet my thoughts. And what really kind of gets to me is back about a week ago, while i was in the groove of meditating every day, i was getting better and better with quieting my mind and focusing my mind. Now it seems like ive gone backwards and lost ground. i hope this is not the case. Jim, do you think ive really lost some meditating focus and my mind has weakened a little bit or do u think ive just ran into an unlucky two day slump and ill be back to my normal self soon? Thanks for taking the time to read this. Take care.
Oh and before i forget...about a week ago i had a lucid dream... I know it was one because it happened exactly how its described to. I realized i was dreaming and i remember the colors and imagery was just amazing! Things were so clear and i remember thinking i want to go somewhere fun, and i ended up on a basketball court. And i even remember telling myself during the lucid dream i want to see something that i can remember and when i wake up i want to remember it and see if i could make sense of it. I remember seeing a book, called "stranger house" or something and i have no idea what that is or what it means but anyways the lucd dream was amazing. I wish i knew how to will myself to expierience another one. Anyways im curious as to your thoughts on this, as well as hopefully youll be able to address my first question. Thanks Jim namaste.
Hello Burt...
No, you haven't regressed in your ability to meditate. This is occurring because meditation experiences go in cycles. For an explanation of these cycles, please see my answer to the post just above this one, dated November 8.
When you understand this cyclic process, you begin to see that what you experience in any given meditation really has very little to do with your own effort and ability. Therefore, it is best to leave all judgement behind when you meditate... judgement about whether the meditation session was "good" or "bad," and especially any judgement regarding your ability to meditate.
Regarding your lucid dream... it sounds entertaining and colorful. Lucid dreaming falls outside my sphere of expertise, but I believe there are books available for learning how to do this more intentionally.
Light & peace, Jim
what are these toxins?
and what is mental and emotional healing or detoxification?
Any stressful, painful or traumatic event in your life which has not been fully resolved becomes stored in your body-mind system. These unresolved experiences are stored in your brain as bad memories... in the cells of your body as physical toxins... in your emotional body as emotional toxins... and in your nervous system as negative electrical charges. The term "physical-emotional toxins" refers to all this accumulated residue.
The spiritual, healing energy you tap in meditation gradually cleanses your body-mind system of these toxic energies. Hence, it is literally a detoxification process.
I have a question similar to the last one asked. Since I've started my meditation practice about a month ago I've noticed that I don't make much progress in my ability to quiet my mind. I've tried to not be judgmental about this and just "show up" as you suggest, but by and large my meditations are fraught with incessant thoughts, analyzing whether or not I'm doing it right and just about any other "don't" when it comes to the process. I'm fairly accepting of this because my primary motivation in starting a meditation practice was to quell my compulsive thinking and become a bit more detached and objective of my thought processes and that has worked out for me.
The one thing that does seem particularly odd though is that despite the fact that I'm not achieving 'blissful states of enlightment' during my meditation sessions, they are coming to me outside of my sessions, quite randomly. I have no justifiable explanation for this other than it has to be related to my practice, but in normal everyday activity I will move into a euphoric state that would seem, to me, to be exactly what I would imagine an enlightened meditative state would feel like. Is there some way that even though I am not reaching blissful thoughtless states during my meditation, that they are occurring to me in a delayed manner after the fact?
Hello Mikey...
Yes, what you are experiencing outside of meditation is most definitely connected to your meditation practice.
You are discovering a very important principle about meditation: That even when it "seems" like not much is happening while meditating, something very profound and beneficial is generally occurring on a deeper level than we may be aware of. My very first thought-filled, mind-wandering meditation experience, and the blissful feelings that followed, demonstrated this truth to me early on in my practice.
Would you happen to know where the dan tien is located?
is it the solar plexus or sacrel plexus or neither?
The most frequently referred to dan tien is centered about three finger-widths below the navel.
I've meditated daily for almost three months. Recently I started to feel vibration all over my body even when I am not meditating. It stated from my hands, then my feet, my whole arms, legs, then my heart, my face and my body.
There are some sensations moving all over my head feeling like a few tadpoles swimming in my head and intense pressure between my eyes when I am meditating. Once in a while my left foot will feel a heat wave going through. It normally last for 10-20 seconds. I try not to put my attention to my head but it just manages to get there. Sometimes, I feel there is some energy coming through from above my head like some kind of tube going down my body. It also
happened a few times while I was sleeping. I feel my body was aligned with some energy from above my head. This energy always wakes me up. What does this mean to meditation?
For me meditation is fun. There is always something going on in my body for me to explore. I am actually looking forward to meditation since it is different every time. I feel my body is so busy inside. I can either hear inner sound in my right ear or my left ear or my heart beat in my head, or I can feel the energy going in different part of my body.
At night, I am looking forward to sleep because my dreams become so vivid that I remember after I wake up.
It's always nice to hear how much someone is enjoying their meditations. All the energy sensations you are experiencing are the result of an increased flow of spiritual energy moving throughout your body. Although we take in this energy in various ways, it has two main entry points... one at the base of the spine - the 1st chakra - and one at the crown of the head - the 7th chakra.
The energy of "pure consciousness," which flows in at the crown, tends to be a gentler energy than the powerful "life force," which enters at the base of the spine. Although there is always a blend of both energies, apparently your 7th chakra is the predominant entry point for a good deal of the influx you are experiencing.
Jim
I had no idea thats how toxins worked. when my bad memories come back up in my meditation how can I deal with them to clean them out?
One of the most effective ways of dealing with these memories (and their associated toxins) is to be "fully present" with them when they come into your mind. That involves giving them your complete attention without trying to push them away... feeling any emotions that may accompany them... and then simply being willing to let them go.
thank you jim
tell me, if a bad memory comes up and I try to redirect my attention to a positive thought. will that help me?
Not really. A negative memory comes to the surface because it needs your attention to be healed and resolved. Attention focusses the light of your awareness, and the light of awareness is an essential source of healing power.
Hello Jim,
First off, big thanks to you as well as everyone who has offered their questions. It has been very insightful for me to read through the conversations on this site.
I would like to engage you in dialogue regarding the entheogenic use of marijuana. It has been my experience that my use of this socially constructed "drug" has been a profound tool that eases my connection and transition to a higher level of being. I was curious as to your thoughts on meditators who take this particular road in their practice.
Namaste my brother, Steve
Hello Steve...
I appreciate your good feedback, thanks. To be honest, I really don't have a lot of thoughts about the use of marijuana for inducing higher states of consciousness. Since I've not personally used it for that particular purpose, I'm not really qualified to assess or discuss it, but I wish you much light and joy on your path.
Namaste, Jim
i'm a little confused.
I thought that if I felt and focused on these bad memories,the feeling I had would keep coming back. thast why I was told to focus on positive thing so I would get more positive then negatives
These bad memories are stored in your nervous system as negative electrical charges and it is your attention that neutralizes these charges.
I'm not suggesting that you dwell on these memories or give them a lot of attention outside of meditation. But when they do come up in meditation it is essential to give them enough attention to dissipate the negative electrical charges. You will know when this occurs, because they will begin to lose their emotional impact and/or stop coming up altogether.
I understand that most people do not like to come face to face with their bad memories. Some individuals are even afraid to do so. Do you have the courage to face your memories? (It's not necessary to answer me on this... only yourself.)
Hello Jim,
I hope all is well. So recently, about 2 or 3 days ago i was taking a nap in the middle of the day and i believe i expierince lucid dream. and the interesting thing about it was i had about 4 in a row! i literaly fell into a dream and realized i was dreaming etc...then i woke up a little later, then i fell asleep again and had another lucid dream again. as i said this happened about 4 times and the colors and everything was amazing! better than hd tv =). so anyways i just thought i would share that with you that wasnt necessarily the point of this message, however i would like to hear your opinion on this. but anyway what my question is is recently i noticed that when i am meditating, sometimes i start to vaguely see something normally random, with my eyes closed shut, but it doesnt last for long. i dont know its so hard to explain it like i dont necessarily see threw my eyes like people say they do but its like i see it with my mind. and by no means necessary is it a clear picture. normally i can just make out something for maybe a split second, and again its normally random things like for example i watch a lot of nba basketball and sometimes, recently, when i am meditating, ill make out the image briefly of basketball players on the court, or sometimes ill see - and i use the word see lightly - but ill make out maybe a chair or something. and normally when i try to will myself to make out the image, it disapears or fades away or watever...can you give me any insight on what is happening?
Apparently your inner senses are waking up - or at least your inner visual sense is. There is quite likely a connection between this and your lucid dreams, in that they both involve seeing with your mind's eye. This is generally a gradual process, so no need to will yourself to see anything. I suggest you simply enjoy whatever images happen to pop in.
hello
are you stil doing the accelerated acension classes?
Yes... the online course is now available from DailyOM
Jim,
I was wondering what your opinion is of the theories that the "veil is thinning," or that people are becoming more psychically and spiritually evolved?
I've been visiting your site for years, and as a matter of fact learned to meditate w/ you. I know a few people that seem to be spiritual in my own life, but largely, is still seems to me that people walk around blindly, having no desire for spirituality. That is one of the reasons that your site here is so important. It has been an avenue to talk to others that meditate and are awakened (at least to some extent).
Thanks for continuing your work here.
Michelle
Hi Michelle...
Good to hear you are continuing on your spiritual journey. Yes, I do believe that the "veil" which obstructs our perceptions from the larger reality is becoming more transparent, and that we are indeed evolving... that the Universe is doing everything possible to accelerate and support our awakening. I hear from people daily who are traveling some sort of spiritual path, and know from observation, interaction, and statistics that there are millions out there practicing meditation, yoga, etc.
I am also aware that there are many who are resistant to growth and deeply afraid of change. It appears that society is becoming somewhat divided between those who are going with the quickening stream of evolution and those who are struggling against the current.
It's both heartening and sad, but I guess we can only choose for ourselves, and give others the time and space to get past their fears and/or lack of interest.
I'm pleased to hear that you've found the Online Meditation Center to be a place where you can experience that connection. Here are a couple of other online communities where you might connect with like-minded individuals.
DailyOM community and Lightworkers.org forum
Wishing you continued light on your journey, Jim
Hello Jim,
I would like to know more about meditation beads. I don't know how to use them, but am interested in learning and perhaps making some. Can you advise me? Thank you.
Peace,
Sheryl
Hello Sheryl...
Meditation beads are generally used to help meditators stay focussed on a mantra in meditation or during their daily activity. They are also used to help meditators keep a count of the repetitions of their mantra if they are into counting.
The standard "mala" (string of beads) consists of 109 beads - 108 plus a head bead - although there are bracelet-sized malas which are shorter. 108 is a very auspicious number in Hindu, Buddhist and other spiritual traditions for a variety of reasons... and the 109th bead is called the "guru bead," because it symbolizes ones (internal or external) guru. It also indicates to the meditator that he or she has completed one round of 108 mantras.
Although malas can be made of anything that can be formed into the size of a bead, many of the traditional Hindu or Buddhist malas are made from tulsi wood, sandalwood, lotus seeds, or rudraksha seeds.
Using one is easy... simply start with the bead next to the guru bead and move your fingers on to the next bead each time you repeat your mantra.
Light & peace, Jim
Hi Jim
I see the word "duality" quite often, but am confused by its meaning. Can you explain or define this for me? I appreciate so much how you share your knowledge with me and others. Thank you.
Looking at the big cosmic picture, before Universal Consciousness manifests itself as the created universe, it is in a state of unity... nothing but one infinite unmanifest consciousness. But as part of the process of creation, oneness becomes duality... opposites such as yin and yang, masculine and feminine, light and dark, etc... and then, multiplicity.
Normally we view the world through our intellect... our ordinary mind which sees everything in terms of duality... good and bad, pleasure and pain, like it and don't like it, etc. But as our consciousness expands, we gradually begin to see the world more with our higher mind... the mind of our spirit... which perceives the unity and wholeness behind the duality.
Hello
I have a question. recently I've had a little trouble concentrating of meditation, for the few 2 or 3 weeks acually. but last night I did and I noticed that this time I was in that state where I felt warm energy all over and I was totally concious of my thoughts.
a few dream like random images appeared but mostly I was in control
It is fairly common for meditations to go through periods of less concentration and more thoughts followed by one or more deeper and easier meditations. This is part of a cycle of clearing away stored up physical and emotional toxins which opens the door to go deeper in ones meditation. For more on this, see the answer regarding "cycles of clearing and clarity," posted November 1.
The warm energy you experienced was due to an increase in the flow of your inner spiritual energy, aka chi... and those dreamlike images tend to occur when you allow your attention to slip into deeper states of awareness.
Hi Jim -- I've been having a strange experience through my last few meditation sessions. I start with my eyes closed as the instructions suggest, but at some point in the middle, my eyelids begin to lift themselves. When I try to keep them shut, they continue fighting upwards; when I let them go, they lift up so my eyes are half open and then rhythmically bob up and down. I thought it was just something weird the first time it happened, but it's happened three days in a row and I'm wondering if there's something deeper going on. Needless to say it's a little hard to avoid distraction when you're fighting with your own eyes :) Any advice or wisdom you can impart is very much appreciated.
Kyle
Hello Kyle...
These movements are being caused by an increased flow of your inner spiritual energy as it moves upward through your body to the top of your head. When this occurs, the eyes and eyelids will sometimes move or roll upward in order to facilitate the energy flow.
Often this simply wanes and passes on its own. Therefore, you might simply allow it to happen for the time being, accepting it as a temporary part of the process, as well as accepting that it's ok to be a little distracted for awhile.
However, you might also make sure you are not making too much effort to concentrate, as this can exacerbate the movements. I suggest you focus with medium effort on whatever your object of focus is.
I had a question, it's about intention and detachment.
I know that detachment brings you what you want, when combined with your desire. I also know that by being happy and present in the moment you are practicing detachment.
I guess my questions would be, is detachment simply not worrying about how or when? or is it not thinking about it after you've stated your intention.
I know you have to focus on it for it to grow, but not so much that it takes away all your power.
It sounds like you have a good understanding of this principle and the necessary balance between intention and detachment.
Both of your premises are an important part of the process... not worrying about how or when, as well as not thinking too much about it after putting forth your intention. These are both part of the essence of detachment, which is, for the most part, not over-importantizing the outcome.
What are some of the possible physical detoxifications a person might go through?
Some typical symptoms of physical detoxing might include: tiredness or low vitality, headaches, or simply feeling physically "off" or "under the weather." Physical detox can also mimic symptoms like those of a cold.
Hi Jim,
I have lots and lots of questions to ask you about meditation, because I don't seem to get the feeling while meditation.
1) How would you know that the cosmic energy is flowing through your body?
2) How would you know that you are in a meditating state? Any examples?
3) Is it OK while I am meditating, my back starts to lie front, and not straight?
4) My eyes kept on trying to open, does that mean I am not relaxed enough?
Please reply these questions to relieve my doubts and I can continue meditating, and I have meditated for 1 month...
Thanks JM
1. This inner energy is always flowing through your body, and meditation increases its flow. Oftentimes it is too subtle to perceive, but some of the more typical ways it becomes noticeable include: tingling sensations anywhere in the body; slight or not-so-slight involuntary body movements; feeling heat in the hands or feet; eyes rolling upward or eyelids popping open; a subtle or dramatic rush of energy in the head; coming out of meditation feeling more clear-headed, centered, elevated, or energized.
2. Everything that occurs from the time you begin your meditation until you end it is a meditative state. That may include mild or deep relaxation, inner peace or silence, feelings of inner happiness, images or dreamlike thoughts arising in your mind... but it can just as easily include lots of thoughts, mind wandering all over the place, and feeling restless. It's all part of a single valuable process.
3. It's ok if you are very relaxed and slump over for awhile, but when it becomes uncomfortable or distracting, gently straighten up.
4. Eyes opening is the result of an increased upward flow of your inner spiritual energy. I suggest you just go with it, allowing them to open and stay open for awhile. Eventually they will close again easily and naturally.
Hi Jim,
People say that through Meditation, you will experience Third Eye, Astral Travel & Astral Body, Life After Life, then you will get Enlightment, how long will it take to progress all?
Just out of curiosity...
Thanks
Yes, meditation will help you to attain enlightenment... the realization that your True Self is one of peace, joy, love and freedom.
The opening of the third eye - the eye of wisdom - is often part of the process of awakening to enlightenment. Astral travel, although it is a valid practice in its own right, is not necessarily a part of the enlightenment experience. As for life after life, I believe we all have many lifetimes on this planet, and enlightenment is essentially the culmination of these various incarnations and all that we have learned from them.
jim
why is it so easy for me to get lost in and focus on negative and conflicting thoughts even though some of them are situations I've never dealt with.
but when I try to focus on and visualize postive and good thoughts I can't seem to hold on to them for more then a few minuets or hold on to any positive feeling or get into it.
when I do it takes a great deal of concentration and focus, like when I do the 7 colors healing meditation, it takes so much of my concentration
This is a fairly common experience for meditators, although it does diminish with more time and experience. There are several reasons this tends to occur.
One is that the mind is much more attracted to our "drama" - our personal story - than to something superimposed, which is not necessarily part of our drama. This holds true even for imagined possible futures, as you have discovered.
Another reason, is that some people's minds are very much into trying to solve things. So by focussing on problems - real or imagined - the mind gets to chew on these things, even if it doesn't actually solve them, although it might occasionally come up with workable solutions.
Finally, it seems that some brains are wired to lean more toward the negative than the positive. That doesn't mean that they can't be re-wired through gradual training and practice. However, this tendency is often partially related to the brain's chemistry.
Virtually every meditation method has a primary "object of focus." So I suggest you experiment a bit to try and find an object of focus that can provide your mind with an attractive alternative to the stories it has been getting drawn into. Beyond that, it's important to understand and accept that even when your attention keeps drifting back to these unwelcome thoughts, you are still gaining much benefit from the act of meditating.
Hi Jim, I have questions that need to be answered.
1. After meditating, when I open my eyes, my mind feels like a refresh, like I went to another dimension. Are these the effects of meditation?
2. How can you differentiate whether you are visualizing or are you recalling a place through your memory?
3. I see like a painting of trees, that I have never seen before, what does that mean?
1. Although you may have touched on another dimension in your meditation, the feeling of a refreshed mind after you meditate is the result an increased flow of spiritual energy to your brain.
2. Any image that you consciously evoke in your mind falls into the category of "visualization." That includes memories as well as things you have not seen before.
3. The possibilities of what sort of images might pop into your mind when you meditate are endless. Sometimes they have a specific meaning and sometimes not. If an image is significant, your intuition will generally let you know somehow... it will "feel" meaningful. Then, if the meaning is not obvious, I suggest you reflect on it a bit, asking yourself, "What does this image convey to me?"
(In reference to a question dated Jan. 7 and answer posted Jan. 8)
What do you mean by brain chemistry? I don't want to get lost in a whirlpool of negativity
Everyone's brain produces various chemicals, and these chemicals are largely responsible for our mental and emotional states, such as optimism or pessimism, peace of mind or worry, etc. Every individual has a different balance of these brain chemicals which predisposes them to a kind of default mental-emotional state. From a strictly biological standpoint, that's why some people just naturally have a more positive outlook while others have a more negative outlook.
However, a person's brain chemistry, and thus their mental-emotional tendencies, can be gradually altered through natural means like meditation, yoga, exercise, and certain foods... or through other means such as pharmaceuticals.
Have you ever heard of a meditation called the inner smile? and how do you do it?
Yes, I've heard of it. You can find the instructions for it on this page:
Inner Smile
Dear Jim
I started vipassana meditation last year and have been to one 10 day and one 3 day retreat. After the last retreat I shyed away from meditating as it had been a painful experience and I needed some time ... slowly I come back to sitting and allow myself to do whatever feels right on that day. The physical pain I experienced was severe - not in knees or legs due to sitting but in my chest, shoulders, arms... and even the observation and non judgement did not make it change in 3 days. It seems to come up at retreats more than at home where I meditate for shorter periods of 30-60 minutes once a day. I like to know if you think that meditation techniques can be changed - i.e. perhaps one week try mantra meditation, one week mindfulness and then vipassana body scanning - would this be contra productive?? Should I stick to only one kind? Which mantra would you recommend? Thank you for your compassion. Love and light angela
Hello Angela...
There is really no problem with alternating meditation techniques. You can either create a set schedule, or continue to follow your intuitive sense as to which method feels right. The important thing is to meditate daily.
Choosing a mantra partly depends on what you are trying to accomplish. However, as a general mantra for catalyzing a state of deep inner peace, the mantra "Om" is as effective as any I have worked with. It is especially effective if you follow the instructions on this page:
Universal Mantra Meditation
You may already be aware of this, but the upper-body pain you are experiencing is most likely due to the release of some unresolved emotional pain stored as toxins in that area. With continued sitting, it should subside before long.
Wishing you continued light & peace, Jim
is nei dan a form a meditation? what type is it?
Yes, I would say it falls under the broad umbrella of meditation practices. There are various "formulas" of Nei Dan... the closest I can come to categorizing it would be "Taoist Meditation."
hello
i have a question about manifesting, i feel a little silly asking it.
some months ago I wrote down that I wanted to get a alternator, the kind that go into a car, for a experiment project.
I completely forgot all about it and i think about a month or two later a guy gave me two used altenators for free.
now other times when I try to manifest something, i visualize and everything, but i don't see anything.
this seems to counter instructional, people say 'focus on it daily and you'll get it' but the stuff i get are the things i forget all about, even if I only thoughtabout them once, why is that?
This is actually a fairly common occurrence. The reason that it often works like this is that when you are not thinking about the outcome, you are essentially staying "out of the way" so that the Universe can deliver the intended outcome unhindered by any contrary thoughts.
Although there are times when focussing on our intention daily works, in many cases that continual focus is sending a subtle signal to the Universe, indicating we don't trust that the Universal Mind has gotten the message, or that we fear it will not deliver the desired outcome. Consequently, these signals can act a bit like negative prayers, counteracting our conscious intention.
Thank you for response mr Jim. tell me, do you know of a good way that I can teach myself to "get out of the way" so i can be more successful?
thank you
You have already discovered one way, and that is... after you have put out the intention of what you want, simply forget about it and go about your life.
However, with some goals it does not always seem as effortless as that. In such cases, two things I have found most helpful are:
1. Make a conscious effort to let go of your attachment to the outcome, and trust that the Universe will fulfill it in the best possible way.
2. Try to stay as "centered" as you can in a calm state of awareness throughout the course of your day. You can use a mantra for this, repeating it mentally whenever you remember... or you can use another centering technique, such as the ones found on this page:
Centering Room
Hi, I have been meditating for about 5 months now. During the first 3 months, I felt the best i've ever had. I was very happy. People enjoyed being around me and I enjoyed being around them. After the first 3 months I was still happy but felt like I wanted to spend all my time meditating. I now feel like a hermit and feel like i've lost all social skills. I can't seem to hold a conversation and usually answer questions with very few words. I have very cloudy thinking and feel nervous and anxious in social situations. I feel alright after I meditate but it doesn't last during the day. Is this a side effect of meditation or is it all in my head?
Many individuals experience what is referred to as a "honeymoon" period when they first begin to meditate. The duration of this varies... it sounds like yours lasted about 3 months. After this phase things usually return to better-than-normal, but not as high as the honeymoon period.
That is... unless an individual has been over-meditating, or their meditation triggered a major detoxification phase, or both. You didn't mention how much meditation you are doing, but if you are meditating for more than 20 minutes a day, it is definitely too much and is producing the effects you are experiencing.
If this is the case, I suggest you cut back to 10 - 20 minutes a day. It may take a week or two, but things will most likely get back to "normal." Also, getting in some extra physical exercise should accelerate the normalizing process.
If you have not been meditating longer than 20 minutes daily, feel free to let me know, along with more details about your life before you began meditating... especially regarding your social interactions and anything else that has changed significantly.
I learned the basics of mindfullness meditation 10 years ago and would really like to practice regularly. However, everytime I begin sitting each day I begin to get the weirdest 'back energy spasms' which absolutely freak me out. I have no control over them. They feel (not to be rude) like 'back orgasms', or rushes of energy which go out through the top of my head. They happen in seconds, around 5-15 times every time I sit. Sometimes it feels as though there is a massive amount of energy inside me and strangely, I find this quite frightening. I am quite a depressed person and I know I am not in touch which all my emotions. Are these energy spurts my repressed emotions coming out? I would be extremely embarrassed to go to a regular meditation class because of them. I have never seen anyone else twitching like me!
Also, when I begin to meditate I start to wake from dreams in which I know have been praying and thanking something. Is it normal for my subconscious to be praying?
thanks for any advice!
Those "back orgasms" are no real cause for concern. This occurs when the upward flow of life force, aka "chi," builds up a bit and then releases. As it does so, it is clearing away whatever toxic energies may be lodged around your spinal column, plus it is activating your higher chakras and energizing your brain as it flows upward, so it's actually a positive thing.
As long as you are not forcing anything in your meditation or over-meditating - longer than 20 minutes or so a day - I suggest you enjoy the good feeling that tends to accompany this phenomenon.
I wouldn't say it's "normal" for your subconscious to be praying and expressing gratitude, but it sounds like a very good thing.
Hi,
I have been experiencing slower than normal thinking. I am also confused a lot and feel as if I am in a daze and separated from the real world. I used to be very social but now I feel as if I want to be alone most of the time. I also feel awkward around people. I find it hard to relate to them. Can meditation be a way to help these feelings? I heard that meditation can help activate the mind. Is this true?
Meditation re-charges the brain with extra energy and oxygen, which clears the mind and enhances virtually every aspect of mental functioning. Before I began meditating I had a severe shortage of mental energy, and meditation made a huge difference in my mental energy level and brain function, which in turn improved my communication skills and social interactions.
I suggest you give it a try and see if it makes a difference for you. Naturally you will have to allow a little time for it to start working, but just 10 - 20 minutes a day should make a difference.
With that said, you might also consider the possibility that you are low on certain important nutrients which effect brain function. Therefore, getting that checked out may be helpful as well.
Dear Mr Jim
I wanted to say thank you for all your insights and advice you have given us all, your a great help in this world.
Aze
You're very welcome, Aze. I appreciate your good feedback.
Hi Jim,
What is your take on metta-meditation. Meditation on loving-kindness?
Thanks for all your helpful advise and your unselfish help to us all!
Regards,
I think it's a great practice. I feel it's very important for us at this time, to transcend the sense of separation and open our hearts to our inherent connectedness... to love and compassion.
Dear Jim
What is best - to meditate fewer sittings for a longer time, or some more sittings for less time?
Like: one sitting for 20 minutes, or 4 sittings for 5 minutes?
Is there some balance point, where it should be no more sittings for less time, also no more sitting time for fewer sittings? What's the ideal when weighting sitting time against sitting frequence?
Because each individual is different in regard to both internal and external factors, there is no absolute guideline for this. However, I've found that one 20 minute sitting or two 10 minute sittings tend to be quite effective for most individuals.
Although several 5 minute sittings may be effective for some, many find 5 minutes a bit too short for feeling that they've gotten the optimum benefit from their session.
how long does a detoxification period usually last?
There is no set pattern for the duration of detox periods. Most of them are fairly short, like a day or two. However, they can be as brief as a few minutes during, or just after, a meditation session, and as long as a week or occasionally even a month.
The important things to keep in mind are: 1. Something valuable is occurring, and 2. It will pass.
Hi Jim,
1) How to differentiate the things you see in meditation, and in dreams?
2) When I try to meditate my eyes will tense up in order to keep my concentration, what went wrong?
3) I see nothing but black colour, as I thought that through meditation, I would see something different... Why is this so?
1. Images in meditation can often be dreamlike and, like in dreams, sometimes they are symbolic and meaningful and sometimes they are not. Your intuition is the key to discerning the difference, and to interpreting any images which may be meaningful. For some, this intuitive ability comes naturally, and for others it takes a bit of time to develop.
2. If your eyes are tensing up to maintain concentration, it indicates that you are trying too hard to concentrate. There is no need to concentrate so hard. "Medium effort" works best.
3. It is not important what you see when you meditate. Whether you see blackness, colors, images, scenes, etc., you will still be getting results from your meditation. I suggest you put aside your expectations and simply accept whatever you see and whatever occurs.
Hi Jim,
I had this dream or maybe its not a dream, its like as though I was there. In my dreams, I wanted something and I teleported to another place that satisfied my needs, are these effects of meditation, or it is just an normal dream.
Thanks
Ultra-clear dreams like that are usually conveying a significant message. They can occur whether or not someone is practicing meditation, but they tend to happen more frequently for meditators... part of the process of becoming more conscious.
Dear mr. Malloy!
Thank you very much on your response to my question about the balance between sitting time and number of sittings!
I am doing 15 minutes one time a day. I enjoy it very much. I have meditated on/off for some years. But I really want to keep it ON. So what have discouraged me...? I think I have increased my sitting time too fast. So now I want to keep it at 15 minutes for some time now. So I can keep up a regular practice.
When I begin meditating (turning it ON after some time being OFF) I notice, that in the first few days or so I can get very impatient - not with my practice, but in general. I can get impatient with a lot of things. Like I have gotten more energy or simply want to hurry things, if I think something is going too slow... is this normal? Can it be some detoxification process occuring?
Thanks for all your help - you are great!! :-)
I'm pleased to hear that you are finding a workable balance, regarding your meditation time.
The impatience is - as you have sensed - the result of a detoxification process, combined with the short span of time it is taking you to re-adjust to the higher vibrational energies you are tapping when you meditate.
Dear Jim,
Thanks a lot for your answer on my impatience!
I find your way of writing very compelling and clear. I have a website with words of Jesus and Buddha, and I want to expand my website in regard of spiritual matters. I want to ask you if I may use your text on mindfulness meditation instruction on my website. To be clear this piece of text:
------------
1. Sit comfortably, with your eyes closed and your spine reasonably straight.
2. Direct your attention to your breathing.
3. When thoughts, emotions, physical feelings or external sounds occur, simply accept them, giving them the space to come and go without judging or getting involved with them.
4. When you notice that your attention has drifted off and become engaged in thoughts or feelings, simply bring it back to your breathing and continue.
• Remember... it's ok and natural for thoughts to arise, and for your attention to follow them. No matter how many times this happens, just keep bringing your attention back to your breathing.
-----------
If I may not, would it then be ok with you if I translate the text to danish and then use it - I can change the wordings of course. I ask because I find it the most precise description of how I myself meditate.
Regards
Thomas
Hello Thomas...
Feel free to use this text in any language(s) you choose. I wish you all the best with your site. Jim
Dear Jim,
Thank you very much. I'm very happy! :-)
Regards,
Thomas
I am reaching out to the universe for guidance. Do to a miracle and many life altering situations that involved that miracle I have stepped out of meditation and have found myself in a negative world, I am struggling to find my way back to inner peace. I am in a home full of negativity and disrespect. I am not able to leave this home at this moment but I must find my personal peace again! Meditation is now interrupted by people, negative energy and the needs of my family. The people I live with do not understand my beliefs and have no respect for the time needed (even though it isn't much) Sounds and waves of negativity can be felt when I take time out for myself and my energy is so drained that I give up. I found myself on this website today because I keep hearing myself use the words I hate in my mind and know this is only pulling me down. How do I find my peace in this place?
It may take a bit of time and a commitment to staying with it, but meditating regularly will help you find your calm inner sanctuary where you will not be overshadowed by all the clouds of negativity around you. If you cannot meditate at home, I suggest you go sit in your car and meditate. If you do not have a car, you might find an open church, a park, or anyplace where you can sit undisturbed for 10 - 20 minutes.
As I continue to read these blogs another question comes to mind. I have been able to manifest things often in my life lately even with all the negativity I am feeling in myself and home. When I manifest these things into my life however my partner finds a way to take them from me or gets very mad that they have shown up. He doesn't know that I am manifesting them and he doesn't know how much I want them but he does know how to turn it into money rather then the item I wanted. How am I able to keep the things I manifest without causing a fight or feeling bad and losing the item I wanted? How am I creating this and how can I help stop this roller coaster of highs and lows. Balance is achieved how? Is there a mantra or guidance for achieving this?
I'm sorry Rebecca, but that's a matter which pertains to your relationship with your partner, and your relationship with yourself, and I am not qualified to provide you with a helpful answer.
Wishing you much light & peace, Jim
Hi Jim
When reading about meditation I'm getting confused. Even lifelong meditators claim meditation to be something different, while I always thought that meditation was a universal technique.
Here's an example:
Two different group of experienced meditators (more than 30 years of experience). One group claims that breath meditation is a way to positive growth all the way to liberation. The other group claims that breath meditation is not even meditation, only a beginning excercise to the real meditations that will lead to liberation. The first group claim it can lead to enlightenment, the other group claim it to be a way to calm the mind so the real meditations can begin.
I'm confused. Shouldn't it be so that lifelong meditators would experience the same universal essence of meditation?
Whenever you find several humans together - regardless of how long they have been meditating - you are going to get differing opinions. Unless people are speaking from direct experience, that's essentially all they are... opinions or a repeating of what they have been taught by others.
On the other hand, if an individual can truly say, "I have followed this path and it has led me to an awakened state which I am living at each moment," then it can be given credence.
Similarly, when it comes to simply defining what meditation is, you will get a number of differing definitions.
Hi, and thank you for your response :-) Do you think that simpel breath meditation - awareness on breathing - can lead anybody/everybody to enlightenment?
I enjoy breath meditation very much, daily. But reading so many opinions can make me a bit: "Oh, maybe it doesn't work 'alle the way'... because mr. X has been meditating a lifetime and still says, that breath meditation isn't enough for final enlightenment".
Has breath meditation in your opinion maximum potential for anybody who turn to it daily?
(If I understood your answer correctly, you are not saying that everybody needs a different kind of meditation, just that there will be different opinions about a certain meditation-method - I apologize if I have misunderstood).
Since breath awareness meditation has not been my primary practice, answering "yes" or "no" to this would simply be another opinion. :-) However, here's what I can tell you to help clarify this...
Although daily meditation is generally the most essential vehicle for facilitating the awakening process -- and breath awareness meditation may well be as effective as any meditation -- the path to enlightenment is not actually one-dimensional. That is to say, there are a number of factors involved in each individual's process of awakening.
You might compare the path to a university, and enlightenment to graduation. In order to graduate, you can't just take one course for four years... there is an entire curriculum. Similarly, the path to enlightenment involves a variety of lessons and experiences, and generally various practices as well.
If you remain open and receptive, you will be guided to the exact lessons, experiences and practices you need at each stage of your journey.
Hi Jim, and Thanks for your response!
Now I'm getting curious, if I may ask you... what meditation method is your main method?
I personally love the breath awareness meditation. It gives me so much calmness and gives me more clarity throughout the day than I would have had if I had not meditated.
The curriculum in life... I guess there are both individual experiences based on ones karmic history, but also more universal practices, that can be taken up alongside meditation (that's how I understand your response - I apologize if I misunderstand).
The buddhists seem to have morality as a key too. Even fundamental in a sense.
Ethical conduct, through speech, action and livelihood. With 5 precepts for everyone:
NO:
1. harming living beings.
2. taking things not freely given.
3. sexual misconduct.
4. false speech.
5. intoxicating drinks and drugs causing heedlessness.
In the bible there are commandments as well. Jesus gives some of the most beautiful commandments, I think.
But how does ethical conduct relate to meditation? Will a good moral make meditation more effective? Will meditation lead to a purification of character, making a good moral more natural in ones life?
Yes, you've understood my meaning correctly, regarding the role of ones life curriculum.
My meditation practice tends to change quite a bit, according to whatever phase of unfoldment I am in. Currently I am working with certain mantras for unifying my awareness with my "whole self."
I believe the primary relationship between meditation and ethical conduct is that meditation aligns you with what some call the "laws of nature," and with that part of you that knows what's in harmony with the greater good... and when you are attuned to these principles, right action flows naturally. (usually) :-)
Hi Jim and thank you very much for your answer!
I have not tried to meditate with mantras. I have "fallen in love" with the simple breath awareness meditation.
I think I have experienced what you describe with the right actions flowing naturally. Or at least I can say, that meditation gives me some clarity and calmness that make me more tuned in to understanding rather than being aggressively judgemental (which I unfortunately also can be).
In light of that, I'd say your practice is going very well... and to have found a method that you love is a real blessing.
hello,
I have been meditating for 8 months now. I try to keep my meditating to 2 times a day for 10-15 mins. There were times over the 8 months where, looking back at it now, I probably over meditated. Longer than the recommended max of 20 mins. This happens when I find myself with a lot of free time.
When I came home from college for winter break at the end of December through January, I found myself meditating quite frequently for long periods of time. During break I started to become depressed. So depressed that when I returned to school, I couldn't handle it and decided to drop my classes and am now living with my parents for the rest of the semester. I was feeling the happiest I have ever felt for the first 4 months of my meditation practice. I believe meditation was a main part of this happiness. I am now very depressed and filled with anxiety. I find it hard to talk to others and I am a completely different person than 4 months ago. Do you think meditation has anything to do with this? Do you think I should keep on meditating?
Yes, if the potential for such emotional conditions is already present, the powerful energies generated by over-meditating will tend to amplify these emotions.
I suggest you take a couple days off from your meditation schedule to allow these energies to settle down a bit. Then begin again, but only once a day for 10 - 15 minutes... just enough to facilitate the run-off of emotional toxins.
I would also strongly suggest getting some sort of exercise... daily if possible. Vigorous exercise would be very helpful, but exercise such as hiking would be good as well.
Hello Jim,
i hope all is well. As for me i had a question. I will try to explain it as best as i can. Recently when i meditate, seeking no thought state, its almost like sometimes i drift away, and hear almost like weird sounds..not like vibrations or buzzing but sometimes like a random low pitch sound. Or sometimes a high. Just random noise is the best way to describe it i think. Not particlar songs but just random noises. They're not distinct sounds i can pinpoint on and describe its like when i start trying to notice and pay attention to them i almost like snap out of it, and seemingly they decease. A way i guess i can describe it is i drift off and maybe hear sounds or thoughts or noises within my head, and when i willingly start to explore into them theyre not noticable or on the forefront of my mind anymore...This is very confusing, i know, but hopefully you'll be able to make some sense out of this...Again i am trying to reach no thought state. Thanks for your time and gratitude.
You might compare the Cosmic Mind to the airwaves that carry all the various radio station frequencies, and your individual mind to a radio that receives the various frequencies as broadcasts. Generally you are tuned to only one station/frequency out of all the limitless possibilities. But when you meditate you are likely to begin noticing other frequencies beyond the primary frequency you are tuned to. Sometimes it's a frequency bleed-through, and sometimes you are expanding your awareness to encompass more than just a single frequency. Either way, it's best to simply accept it and come back to your primary object of focus.
Hi Jim,
Does Meditation allow us to see ghosts as we gain spiritual access through Meditation?
Thanks
No, meditation does not usually open ones perceptions to ghosts, although this can happen occasionally. It does, however, tend to increase ones general intuitive abilities.
Hello Jim,
i hope all is well and thank you for this great service you are offering and your time. My question for you regards meditation. I havent spoken to you in a bit i dont know if you remember me as Burt maybe not it was some time ago. Anyways when i was well into my meditation last night after some time i then noticed my breathing seem to become more distint and i could actually then hear each breath as i breathed in and out, more so than i could previously or before i lay down to meditate. I dont know if a good description of it would be my breath got louder or more distinct or something im not sure exactly how to explain this. Hopefully you can make some sense out of it and if it means anything. Also what i thought was wierd was i heard in my left ear almost like my ear became unblocked like something was released i dont know if it was air or what. I hope to hear from you, thanks!
Hello Burt...
You were quite likely hearing your breathing more distinctly due to temporarily heightened perception combined with the fact that the breathing sometimes tends to become more natural, rhythmic, deep and clear when in a very relaxed state.
I know of several people who's left ear suddenly unplugged in the past few weeks after being plugged for awhile... probably due to some allergen that's been around and has now subsided.
Hi Jim,
1) Can our inner voices be the opposite sex?
2) How do you differentiate inner voices and mind chattering?
Thanks
1. Yes, your inner voice can manifest as either gender.
2. There is no set formula for this. With practice and patience you will eventually begin to intuitively recognize the difference... discerning the "ring of truth" from all the noise.
Here's a tip:
• True inner guidance is always gentle... never bossy or commanding.
I think you will find this article helpful...
Higher Guidance: It's Closer Than You Think
Hi Jim,
I have been meditating daily for about a year (since the class at GHFC!). I have noticed that with increasing frequency, particularly while meditating horizontally on my back, I have been experiencing a vibrating/tingling feeling in my palms and fingers. As I relax my body, my hands begin to sloooowly open. This seems to be particularly the case when practicing mindfulness meditation and I bring my attention to the strongest sensations occurring within my body, which would be what is occurring in my hands. The more I make it the focus of my meditation, the stronger the sensation becomes.
My reading of this experience is that it is either 1) accumulated tension being released through my hands or 2) energy concentrating in my hands during meditation. While trying to refrain from judging this experience as good or bad, it feels like it is cleansing and healing.
Also, I have noticed that lately I have been experience a similar feeling around my third eye when I direct my awareness there.
I would be curious to hear your thoughts.
Thanks so much for all that you teach us.
May your day be filled with joy,
Steve
Hi Steve...
I'm happy to hear that you've kept up your meditation practice. Meditation nearly always triggers some degree of increase in the flow of inner energy, or "chi." Often it is too subtle to notice, but when it is a significant increase, the energy can be experienced as the vibrating/tingling sensation you are feeling. There are several factors which determine where in the body this energy will go.
One is that, as the healing force, it goes where it is needed to release tension and toxins and catalyze healing. Another is based on the principle that energy follows attention. So when you focus on your hands, third eye, etc., more chi will tend to flow to that area.
One more factor that can direct the flow of chi to the hands, is that some people have a natural tendency to channel healing energy through their hands. That doesn't necessarily mean it will produce miracles, :-) but you might try experimenting a bit with this potential ability on family, friends or pets.
Hi Jim,
I've recently returned to meditation since reducing the work hours to spend more time being a mom and taking care of my spiritual self.
I have been able to go very deeply lately. My third eye opens in which I see swirling deep purple colors.
Ten minutes before work I sat in the car (6am) to meditate before going into work (hospice nurse). Within 5 min I was in the purple and then went beyond. I entered a tunnel that was spinning slowly that looked like i was in space ( black sky with many stars).
It was a really neat experience. I want to get more out of this but not sure what to do. I'm working on finding more inner peace but find it a bit challenging . I am hoping the meditation will help. Any suggestions?
Anna
many stars)
Hello Anna...
That was indeed a "really neat" experience. Your awareness shifted/opened to a higher dimension. From this experience you can gain a deeper understanding and certainty that you are part of a vast universe which exists way beyond this limited physical dimension. However, experiences like this cannot be deliberately repeated. They occur spontaneously as a result of various factors converging.
However, with continued daily meditation, you will have other profound experiences, and you will begin to discover an inner peace - a stillness - that exists within you, regardless of what is going on in your mind, emotions and outer circumstances.
Hi
I am meditating for several years now. I feel cool breeze on my head often when not meditating. But I don't feel breeze along my spine. Is this normal? Please reply. Thank you.
-Priya
Hello Priya...
When it comes to meditation, there is really no such thing as "normal," and there is no particular thing that you should be experiencing. The possibilities are endless, and it is best to simply accept whatever it is that you do experience.
hello jim
Something just hit me the other day. people talk about doing meditation, affermations and visualizations to change themselves, their lives or manifest things in some way.
I think I figured out how it really works, those things (meditation, affermations etc) are used to change or bring things to you, they are used to remove your internatal blocks that prevent change and manifestations?
is that correct or am i off?
Yes, that pretty much covers it. About 95% of the process is getting ourselves out of the way of the Universal flow.
hello jim. things are going better for me. i hope u as well. well i do have a question howeever. well i am mentally geting stronger and more dissaplined in the art of meditation. my heart is also openening bigger than it has ever been and i am starting to see life in a whole different prospective. im finally understanding what it is meant to have nothing but love in your heart. so anywas last night i was meditating and i may have started to vaguely see different colors but its a bit unclear on account of it wasnt that noticable. sound at times became absolutely mute and i started i thought to hear different frequencies. i can now remain thoughtless for undefined amounts of time. i am starting to understand the definition of mental discpline and not being distracted by the nags of unnececesary and primitive thoughts. well to be honest a majority of thought is unneccesary and really does nothing but trip you up. the root mind has strength and wisdom beyond measure. i am starting to understand that. anywyas the next thing i remember is just waking up today(the next day) and assuming i must have fallen asleep somwhere during meditation. But the wierd thing is right now presently, in my ears, it sounds almost like my senses are stronger almost like a totally blank and absolute muteness sound, a sound or frequency i dont normally hear on a normal basis. it almost transpires into a ringing sound i have remembered hearing in meditation. any thouhgt on this jim.
- Burt
Hello Burt...
I'm happy to see that you are making such great progress. The sound you are experiencing is a naturally occurring frequency which is generally present within the body, but you are just noticing it now because 1. your senses are heightened, and 2. you are paying more attention to your internal landscape/soundscape. As with most phenomena, I suggest you take it as it comes, and - regardless of whatever experiences may come and go - appreciate the good progress you are making with your meditation practice and your spiritual growth.
hello
I know you say your not a tai chi expert. but i did have a question that i was hoping you could answer.
I do Tai Chi, I stated about 3 months ago, doing it twice a week. Since I also do meditation and I know the feeling of having energy go through my body.
anyway, for the past 2 weeks my lower and heart cores give me that same feeling of warm energy when breath deeply.
I can often feel random surges of energy wash over me, it's not unbearable but it does make me feel more asseertive.
I know I'm making some progress. but I don't know why I feel this energy only a few moments at a time during the day when I'm not meditating or anything
You might say that Chi has "a mind of its own." Unless forced or obstructed, it tends to flow where it is needed, when it is needed there. Also, the flow of Chi to various bodily organs and systems is correlated with a specific time cycle. This cycle may or may not fit your current experience, but you can find the time correlations on this page:
24 hour Chi cycle
Hello. I started meditating recently. Usually in the morning when I wake up and before I go to sleep. But this morning, I saw the face of a young man while meditating. It's been bothering me and I wasn't sure if that's a bad thing. Should I do something if it happens again?
No... it's not at all a bad thing. When you are in an altered state - and you always are to some degree when meditating - there are no limits as to what might pop into your mind or your mind's eye.
If this, or something similar, occurs again, I suggest you simply accept it as an interesting phenomenon and continue with your meditation.
Hello Jim,
Its Burt. Not sure if u remember me, u seem to have so many people you work with, but you have helped me progress tremendously. My current question for you is last night when i was meditating my teeth began to chatter a bit. That has never happened to me when i've meditated before. I read a few things online and it was mentioned somewhere that this could be a sign that the body is releasing resistance. Do you have any thoughts on this Jim.
Hello Burt...
I do indeed remember you. Unless you were in a very cold room, it was most likely the release of some tension, and yes, maybe a bit of resistance as well.
I have a question reguarding the inner sounds. I have been meditating for a few years and I usually begin by focusing on the inner sounds as I truely enjoy listening to them. Everything I have read says you will hear the sounds above the right ear and occastionaly above the left, but there is always the admonition not to focus your attention on the left side. I have also read the right side is the "thought current", and left side the "body current". I should also say I have fibromylgia. I usually do my meditation before bed in the evening as this suits my life style the best. It is unusual for me not to hear the sounds on the left side. Often it is so loud as to make focusing on the right side difficult. What is going on here? Is this possibly a measure of my body's fatique? When this happens I switch over to to a more visual focus, but I don't like avoiding the sounds as a point of focus as it will often lead me to the heart sound. Any suggestions? (Thank you for the opportunity to ask!)
I suggest that you pay no attention to these admonitons, as they are essentially too broad to apply to all individuals, and simply do what feels natural and good to you. And... most likely the fact that you are hearing the sounds more strongly on your left side is not in any way an indication that there is something wrong.
dear jim
when we meditate and our mind brings up past painful expereinces, does the process of simply allowing them to come and go as in the mindfullness meditation help to release them?
thank you
Yes... that's exactly how it works.
Dear Jim,
I am doing breath meditation. I'm also reading a lot about meditation. I have read that neuro science is differentiating between focused attention meditation and open monitoring meditation.
I guess I'm doing the first - though with such a mild focus that I let thought and feelings come and go without getting involved in them.
I have also read that focused attention meditation and open monitoring meditation is being associated with samatha and vipassana meditation. And in both cases (what ever we call the meditation) I read "better words" about the latter - the open monitoring/vipassana meditation. It is often called more advanced and something that "builds" upon focused attention/samatha meditation.
What is your view on this? Should I some day leave my breath meditation/focused attention meditation behind and take up the open monitoring meditation?
Regards
Thomas
Hello Thomas...
I would not say that one practice is more advanced than the other, although I have found that the concept of "focussed attention" is a bit easier for beginning meditators to understand.
They are simply different bridges to virtually the same place... the experience of silent, non-judging, boundless awareness... the ultimate ground of being. While one method concentrates the attention, the other does somewhat the opposite, using a more diffuse, "choiceless awareness" as a vehicle.
I have found that the most profound meditation experiences - as well as the cumulative results - have little to do with the method we use or our personal efforts. So although different methods may help us develop slightly different mental skills along the way, in the end it's best to go with whatever method resonates most fully with you.
Dear Jim,
Thanks a lot for your answer. Then I will keep going with my focused attention (on my breathing) meditation.
I have found though, that as I become more experienced I can more or less shift my attention between these two poles of: focused attention and choiceless awareness or witnessing my thoughts and feelings. But in general I'm probably somewhere between them, though closer to the focused attention.
I have meditated for almost 3½ month now every single day. Earlier in my life I have been meditated as well, but on and off for periods. But now I have done it every single day since middle of february.
A week ago I was a bit tired when I meditated, and hypnagogia imagery and thoughts emerged. The thought was that I was dead, and that it was completely ok!
Then a few days ago while sleeping on my couch, I now dreamed that I was dead. First I communicated with some relatives, and then I turned my back and let the darkness surround me - but it was a very nice feeling of letting go. NO fear at all. I was at ease.
Then yesterday I was waiting for a meal on a restaurant - now completely awake! - and I suddenly felt something in me was dying. Now this time it was a bit more scary or intense, but very alluring... it didn't feel like physical death, but more like I was about to leave something behind that shouldn't be a part of me anymore.
Do you know about such things?
Regards,
Thomas
Hello Thomas...
Some part of us does indeed have to die for us to awaken to the peace, joy and freedom of our true spiritual nature. What is it that dies? It is essentially the illusion that we are in some way separate from the source of our being. That illusion is sometimes referred to as the ego-mind.
We all chose to temporarily buy into the illusion for the sake of fully experiencing this physical reality. But when it's time to wake up and remember that we are eternal spiritual beings, the illusion is dispelled... the ego-mind dies naturally.
Hi Jim,
I have been to your site and it’s really wonderful, I am very impressed with your work and appreciate it a lot. For past 1 month I am interested in meditation and I am doing “anapanasati” mindfulness of breathing for 20 minutes daily, but I am able to follow my breath for few minutes and then mind just wanders away and I feel like I am not progressing and I am not getting good level of concentrations. Please give some advice or suggestions on it, do I have to increase my time limits more to get deeper level of concentrations.
Regards
Aditya
Hello Aditya...
Your concentration will increase and your meditations will deepen naturally over time. (One month is not a lot of time when it comes to meditation.) However, even though staying focussed will get easier, it's best to not apply our mundane mindsets to meditation. That is to say, "expectations," and even the idea of "improvement," are best put aside as much as possible.
There are numerous factors that effect each meditation - our effort/ability is only one of these. Therefore, I suggest you continue sitting for 20 minutes a day, and accept whatever happens in each session.
Hi Jim (and thank you, as always),
I am meditating every day and has done so for more than 3 months. I know it isn't long, but I'm glad I have not missed a single day.
I use to meditate 20-30 minutes 1-2 times a day. But today I just wanted to sit longer... it was so "easy" to meditate today. My mind rested on my breathing almost by itself. Then about 40-45 minutes into my meditation I slowed my breathing - I can slow my breathing to almost nothing in an "easy" meditation, like my body doesn't need that much air. ...And I focused all my attention on my breathing.
- Then I felt like I could let go of my body. I began to lose my touch with it, and my mind became almost totally emptied of thoughts. And though it was wonderful, I got a bit scared. In the proces I began to see more and more light (though my eyes was absolutely closed) - it became almost white. But I "woke myself up" of it. Because I felt like if I should go further I *really* had to LET GO completely!
...I wasn't ready for that - yet.
Do you have any idea of what happened?
Regards,
Thomas
Hello Thomas...
You were on the verge of an experience that has been referred to by various terms... samadhi, satori, transcendence, etc. It is an experience of union with the light of your Spiritual Self, and/or the boundless Universal Self.
However, it is not uncommon for fairly new meditators to experience that same fear of letting go, and suddenly balk, thereby disallowing the full depth of the experience.
But that's ok... for some, it simply takes a bit of time, and more experience of the deeper states, to develop the trust necessary to let go completely. The more "tastes" like this you receive, the more you will come to realize at a deep level that surrendering to the "ground of your being" is not only safe, but extremely enjoyable.
If someone is a sinner how will meditation help?
If someone has done mistakes in the past will meditation help in improving the conditions?
These two questions arrived separately, but I assume they are from the same person.
First, meditation raises your awareness to a perspective where you eventually realize that people are not "sinners," but do harmful things out of fear and ignorance... that harmful actions are essentially an indication that there is still much growth needed and many lessons still to learn.
Second, meditation gradually aligns you with the universal law of love and opens you to the deep awareness that we are all connected. With this alignment and awareness, you begin to spontaneously do the right thing, and it becomes increasingly easier to avoid harming anyone.
If you are asking if ones life conditions will improve as a result... yes, a clear conscience generally opens the door to more desirable conditions.
Hello Jim,
Id like to start by thanking you for this Q&A blog, and website.
I am new to meditation and have started a mindfullness class that goes for 8 weeks. For the first 5 weeks, I meditated for about 30minutes per day. I felt absolutely amazing at this point. By the 6th week we had a 6hour silent retreat.
Immediately after this retreat, I began to feel VERY intense negative feeling, and a VERY uncomfortable mental state. Words to describe my mental state include despressed, anxious, fatigued, confused, and scared.
After reading articles from your site, I understand that this was TOO much, TOO fast, and my body is likely detoxing a great deal of emotional/mental toxins.
Now, 8 days after the retreat, I am still feeling terrible. Things I have done to work with this are: drinking a lot of water, lots of whole foods/fiber, having alkaline foods such as lemons etc..
I am here to ask your guidance. What can I do to help get past this release as fast as possible? Is what Im already doing helpful?
Possible ideas i have to add id are: Sauna/sweating, more meditation (sitting or walking? - I HAVENT meditated since the retreat due to fear of more release!)
Thank you so much!
Hello Ryan...
Here are some suggestions for things you might add to what you are already doing:
• Get some daily exercise. Hiking out in nature would be ideal, but any type of physical exercise would be helpful.
• Resume your meditation, but keep it to just 10 minutes a day. A simple breath-awareness meditation would be advisable, and it would be best if you don't concentrate too hard... just focus on your breathing with relaxed effort.
• Your sauna idea sounds like it would be helpful as well. So if there's one nearby, give it a try.
• If possible, spend a bit of time being mindful of the emotions that are lit up. Detoxing tends to amplify emotional stuff that already exists on a smaller scale, and "raw attention" - just being present with it - is often what is needed for it to be healed. Not much fun, but effective.
There is no way to say how long it will take to get through this intense release period. But if you continue doing what you've been doing, and incorporate some or all of these suggestions, you will be expediting the process and should start feeling better soon.
Jim,
You say to resume meditation.. So I assume this will HELP my situation? If so, how/why?
You say to do a basic breath-observing meditation.. Should I also observe the negative feelings that I am experiencing?
..I only ask this due to fear of creating more release.
Thanks so much for your wonderful service!
Hello Ryan...
The purpose of meditating just 10 minutes a day is to allow the detoxification to wind down to a comfortable level without abruptly cutting off this valuable process.
Although 10 minutes should not exacerbate the situation, everyone's nervous system is wired differently, so there is no guarantee that it will not. Therefore, if you notice that resumed meditation seems to be making the detox symptoms worse, then discontinue your daily sessions.
And yes, continue observing any negative feelings that may arise. Your breathing is your primary object of focus, but pay attention to the emotions as well... mainly by just feeling them and allowing them to be there.
So by discontinuing meditation, as I have done since the retreat, this doesn't necessarily help the detoxification come to an end more quickly, correct?
I will begin to meditate for 10 minutes per day once again.. Hopefully this will help bring this detoxification phase to a close more quickly than abstaining..
I also have notice my symptoms come and go at times, usually being the worst upon waking.. Is this fairly universal?
Thank you for your time. What you do is greatly appreciated.
Discontinuing your meditation will help curtail the detox process, but meditating just a little bit each day should help it wind down more smoothly and comfortably. This is not an exact science, so if your experience over the next week or two does not support this, then simply discontinue your meditation again.
There is really no universal pattern regarding this sort of time-frame.
Hi Jim,
I look forward to deepen my meditation, so that I may experience a full samadhi some day.
I didn't knew I was capable to reach that state.
I know that it is best to meditate without expectations - and I enjoy all my meditations more and more. Just being in stillness.
Is it possible to reach samadhi within the time frame of 20 minutes twice a day? This is what I do for now.
I have meditated every day from the 14th February, and I really want to encourage everyone to keep meditating every day. Every day is a key word for me.
I'm a big fan of "every day" too. :-) Yes it is possible to experience the various levels of samadhi meditating twice daily as you are.
You may have noticed that the deeper experiences in meditation are brought about by something beyond your own effort and capacity. Certain spiritual energies converge at a certain time and suddenly you find yourself in a deep state of consciousness. Call it "spiritual grace" or whatever you like, but it is available to us at anytime... and naturally the more regularly we sit and make ourselves receptive to these energies, the greater the likelihood of experiencing samadhi.
i have just acroos this website and i am really stressed out. things are really out of control. and my life is falling apart. i am trying to do meditation so i can control my anger to people who hurt me and try to forget everything is being said and heard bad in period of time and try to be calm down. but everytime i try to do meditation and try to breath in and out my heart starts beating very fast and for some reason i cannot see things clear and cann't focus my mind. any suggestions
thanks
Yes, I have a few suggestions.
• I suggest you breathe naturally, just like you do when you are not meditating.
• Think of meditating as just another thing to do... like making a sandwich or taking a shower. That will help you avoid any tendency to get anxious about doing it well or correctly.
• Your attention will wander - that's natural. Just make a medium effort to stay focussed, and bring your attention back whenever you notice it has drifted off. You will still get results.
• Follow the guidance on this video:
Mindfulness Meditation
Meditation will help with what you are going through, but please keep in mind that it is not an instant cure. You will have to give it sufficient time. If you do - meditating for just 10 to 15 minutes a day - you will start to see positive results.
Hi Jim
The only colors I see when meditating so far arew deep purple with fluffy white clouds almost yellow rings in them and they seem to form letters sometime but I can not make them out. Should I be seeing more or this at all. A while back I experienced connecting with spirits in my room and orbs and I feel they are trying to communicate with me so I wanted to try meditation. I have only been doing it for 2 weeks. I have called upon my spirit guides to help but I can not tell if they are around.
When it comes to seeing colors - or anything - in meditation, there are no "shoulds." I suggest you go into meditation with an attitude of, "If I see something interesting, ok... if not, ok." It's fine to enjoy the added entertainment, but best to not read too much into it. With that said, the color purple in meditation can, at times, indicate the presence of ones spiritual guides.
If you continue meditating, your intuition will develop further and you will be better able to perceive and communicate with the subtler energies/intelligences around you. But since everyone is hardwired differently, it's not possible to know at what pace your intuition will develop.
Dear Jim,
I have meditated daily for almost 5 months now. I enjoy it. And my breathing will often be no more that 2-3 breaths per minute of my meditation. Slow breathing, but it feels easy, soothing and very enjoyable.
The last couple of weeks I have felt two feelings, I have had in my past too. Hate and guilt.
Hate when I don't feel recognized or appreciated. And that often happens if I don't want to play the "social game" that I often feel is going on. The game that wants one to laugh at the right time, say the right things, etc. to be part of the howling wolves and not a loner (maybe I'm already off track and deluded here; constructing and idea of a "social game". Hmmm...).
Guilt when I think about things I have said in the past about someone, words which I really didn't mean at all, but simply said because of 'me', not the other. For instance if I have been judgemental or said something to ... I don't know ... distance me from a person that I really liked - but still making a distance maybe because I didn't want to come face to face to some feelings inside me or a part of myself I wasn't ready to confront.
Now, these meta-thoughts are new to me. Diving into the problem this way is new to me. Trying to take responsibility for what I'm doing or saying is probably a bit new to me. And I credit it to meditation.
What has happened the last couple of weeks is, that I have felt these 'old known' feelings of hate and guilt from the past (feelings that may be glued to different situations than in the past though). But what is different is, that these two feelings have risen in me like a MOUNTAIN.
I honestly feel that the feelings I experience are bigger than my little skin can embrace ... and still, maybe I can embrace them, because there's also another new dimension to this: I can keep my attention on these feelings EVEN THOUGH THEY HURT. And (because of meditation, I think) I can keep my attention on them without wandering.
And this helps me to another thing: Because I can keep my attention on my feelings, even though they feel like a mountain, I want to let this silent flow, this surrendering, be my medicine. In the past I ran away, *thought* myself away. I constructed thoughts, meanings, interpretations, etc. to "get away" from the feelings. Now I want to face them, feel them, having them in my silent attention, just acknowledging them.
To be precise, it is especially the hate that feels like a mountain. Guilt feels like a knife that makes my heart bleed. They are both powerful feelings.
Could this be a part of the detoxification proces? Or do you have any other comments? I appreciate your feedback very much as always.
Thank you for a wonderful site and for your deep and great help.
The surfacing of these deeply-rooted feelings at this time is indeed part of a detoxification, as well as an internal healing process. And the reason they are so amplified, is to make sure that they get your attention, as your attention is what is most needed to heal them and get past them.
Your insight and self honesty regarding this situation, indicates you are making good progress. The fact that you are willing to keep your attention focussed on these raw emotions - to be fully present with them despite the discomfort - is commendable and will serve to expedite your healing process as well as your spiritual awakening.
Hi Jim,
It's me again..
A little update on how I'm doing: Exactly one week after the "detox reaction" I was experiencing, I woke up and it had completely subsided! I felt GREAT for a full week after that.
Then, after that full week of feeling good, I began to experience some insomnia that seemed to get progressively worse.
I havent meditated for about three weeks now (since the retreat). I was not feeling any form of stress when I began to have this insomnia, either.
I have made the choice to take a few months away from meditation since the harsh detox reaction. But I am wondering if you think that this insomnia I've been experiencing for the past week could be related to the meditation I was doing.
I actually hope it isn't, and it doesnt seem like it could be since I experienced a full week of feeling "my normal self" after the detox reaction.
I guess I've developed a sort of paranoia of negative experiences after the detox reaction I went through. I would just like to hear your thoughts. Thank you.
Hi Ryan...
After a reaction like yours, I would be wary too. Btw, I hope you've let your meditation teacher know about what you experienced as a result of that retreat. I try not to judge other teachers, but I believe it should be brought to his/her awareness what 6 straight hours of meditating can trigger in beginning meditators.
There is no way to know for certain whether or not your sleep problem is related to the meditation retreat, but there is a good chance that it is. One of the things that over-meditating does, is amp up the flow of chi to levels that can disrupt sleep patterns. However, the higher vibrational frequencies in our atmosphere (due to the planetary consciousness shift that is occurring) are causing sleep problems for many individuals as well. So the cause could be one of these, or both together... or neither.
Regardless of the cause, following my original suggestion would be helpful for your situation: If you are not currently doing so, get some exercise - daily or at least several times a week. Hiking out in nature would be ideal, but any type of physical exercise would be helpful.
If, after trying this, your sleep problem persists, feel free to let me know.
Hello, Jim
I lift weights daily and work a physical job. Do you recommend I do cardio, or exercise that get my heart rate up higher?
Chi is a different energy than kundalini, correct? I've heard of some scary experiences from over-amping kundalini, but I can't relate to the symptoms of over-amping kundalini.
Will the chi eventutually come back down to normal levels through a little bit of time and exercise etc?
As of now, I'm assuming my sleep issues were a result of the retreat. I am still experiencing waking several times per night and sleep that doesn't feel "deep."
Thinking back.. Years ago, I did have some severe insomnia for a few months of stressful times In my past.. Maybe this is just a form of clearing?
Also, will sitting outside with my bare feet on the earth help my situation?
I'm becoming very fearful that I will never feel "normal" again. Probably a very irrational fear, but I just need some reassurance.
I did explain to my instructor what I dealt with.. Her advice was to "be with whatever comes up," and also reccomended doing some hatha yoga.
Thank you, Jim!
Hi Ryan...
Good that physical activity is part of your daily routine. That probably accounts for why your initial symptoms passed so quickly. The cardio aspect is not so important here... it's more the "grounding" aspect and strengthening of your nervous system that is valuable, as well as having an avenue through which to channel the excess energy.
Given what you are doing to remedy this, your chi should settle down to normal levels before too long. And your idea to be outside with your feet on the earth will quite likely expedite the normalizing process.
Actually chi and kundalini are both names for the same life force energy that we all run on. However, there is much outdated and inaccurate information surrounding the term "kundalini." Due to our accelerated evolution, we have come a long way over the past 30 years in our capacity to deal with higher levels of this energy. Many of the problems you may have read about most likely occurred some years back. Since we are becoming more aclimated to an increased flow of this energy, experiences like yours are more typical of the difficulties one is likely to encounter these days. That's not to say that caution isn't necessary when dealing with this powerful energy... it most certainly should be approached with caution and common sense. But much of the fear around this term is unwarranted, given our current state.
As mentioned, your situation should normalize before long. However, if your sleep difficuties persist, please e-mail me at: jmalloy@meditationcenter.com
hello jim
I meditate, do pranayama and most recently started doin eft.
I'm working on clearing out my negative stuff. I'm not sure if you have any info about eft but something i wanted to ask and I hoped you could tell me.
I started doing eft maybe a week ago and when I tapp there have been times I felt total bliss. however a few days and times I feel like I got ran over by a bus.
I read about the topic on detoxification phases and I was wondering if doing eft had the same result.
Yes, EFT can trigger a detoxification process as well. The principle is simple: "Clear out the old to make room for the new."
However, if you feel like you've been run over by a bus, you may be over-tapping a bit.
Hello,
I want to say about my personal experience about meditation, I have been meditating for a year. My meditations began at 10 minutes of breath meditation a day to now 45 minutes of mindfulness meditation a day.
Thanks for sharing.
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