Dear Jim, Thanks much for the service first of all. I am practicing breathe meditation from past two days. I have been doing this 3 years back for a couple of months and then left it due to situations. Now started again after 3 years.
I can feel from 2nd day itself that in my center of forehead i feel some pulling kinda thing. i like it and i did it more today around 1 hour. Surprisingly i can see only dark color inside and nothing else. Two doubts now i have. Could you please help me.
1. Even after completing and opened my eyes for past 5 mins even in front of computer monitor i still feel the pulling force (lessened) and bit of pain too. is this okay or something to worry?
2. During that meditation i saw some of natural scenarios which i have seen before in person, some Guru's whom i have worshiped. Those people and persons appear and disappear and everything becomes black again. Now, how do i know am i really meditating and my third eye is seeing these or my mind is imagining/dreaming some thoughts? Or to put up in other words, how do i confirm i am doing meditation and seeing reality or still my mind is cheating me? :-)
1. The "pulling force" you are feeling at the center of your forehead, is the result of an increased amount of inner spiritual energy - aka chi - moving upward through this area. The slight pain is being caused by this energy meeting with a little bit of resistance at that spot.
It's nothing to worry about, but if you cut your meditation time in half, the pain is likely to subside sooner. One hour is a bit too much if you are just re-starting your practice.
2. I suggest you do not base whether you are "really meditating" on what you see in your mind's eye. If you are going through your meditation steps, you are most definitely meditating, regardless of what you experience.
If you are seeing scenarios that you have actually seen before, then you are experiencing memories. That's fine, especially if they are uplifting memories.
You will experience all sorts of internal phenomena as you continue to meditate, and it's best to simply enjoy the show, then let it go. Analyzing it, or questioning its reality, will not be useful. With continued meditation, you will naturally develop the quality of discernment - the ability to recognize what "rings true."
I just have a quick question: I was meditating today and my hands started rising, and it was like I didn't have control over my own body. It happened more than once. I was wondering why this might have happened and what it could mean?
When you meditate, there is an increased flow of your inner spiritual energy. As this energy moves through your body, it will sometimes create movement in various body parts - in your case, your hands. This, combined with the principle that meditation literally makes the cells of your body lighter - albeit very slightly - was the cause of your hands rising.
It's nothing to be concerned about. You will experience various phenomena as you continue to meditate, and it's best to simply take it all as it comes.
I just read your 8 Important Points about meditation and found it interesting. I write often about counselling and psychotherapy and was wondering if you think that meditation might go hand in hand with therapy.
"Visualization" is a somewhat misleading term. When you are visualizing in meditation, it is not necessary to actually see the object or scene. Some do "see" and some do not. Getting "an idea of what it is like" as you described your experience, is just as effective. This is how many meditators visualize, and I encourage you to simply go with what comes naturally, rather then thinking that it is necessary to develop the ability to see.
When I first started meditating in the 70's, I was asking for a mantra intuitively. I heard the sound om knee pawn, phonetically. I couldn't find it's meaning & hesitate to use it. Is it ok to use this mantra? I currently lean towards mindfulness practice.
I'm guessing that what you heard was intended to be "Om Mani Padme Hum" - a widely used Tibetan mantra, which basically means "I am the jewel in the lotus." The jewel refers to your "essential self" or "true nature," and the lotus refers to your heart and/or the physical world. When repeated aloud, the words are often slurred together, causing it to sound quite a bit like what you heard.
Hi! I have a great interest in transcendental meditation and I started to practice on my own. I readed about it and I choose the "shiring" mantra because of my age. I would like to know if this particular word is important. Can be any word without meaning? Because for what I readed the most important is the repetion of the word. If there´s a importance of the word, which is better for a 34 guy that is a beginner in TM. Thank you.
The mantra you chose is a good and effective mantra. And yes, it is important to use an actual mantra rather than any word or sound. The power of mantras come from both their meaning and vibration.
Btw, your mantra is pronounced more like "shring" than "shiring."
Dear Jim Malloy, I have three questions all together.
First is i have been doing meditation for a while and i am trying to concentrate in my third eye area. Today while meditating i got too much tickling and pulling sensation than before in that area. That pulling power i'm feeling is too much and even after coming out of meditative state for at least 10 minutes its there slowly decreasing and moving to normal. So, is it normal and can i continue with this? Why is it so?
Second question is during my meditation i can see images or some objects. I am very much sure i am not sleeping and dreaming because in some part of my mind i have the awareness that i am meditating and i am awake. But i am not sure to know whether these are my from sub conscious mind or these are those objects what people say that you will see in third eye (as i am doing third eye focusing...). Today i saw some faces which i have never met, suddenly some skull, some person sitting inside big hall, some one climbing a tree, small rose, a person standing somewhere where the roof is near his head etc.....So, what are these things really? Has my mind still wandering and imagining or am i doing something wrong?
Last question is all together my need of meditation is i need to know "Self" or "Who i am". I am not focused on anything else except this. This question is in my mind always and i started meditating. How and when can it be achieved? Or how to know am i meditating properly so that i can get my answer one day for this...
Please help. Thanks very much for your valuable time and helping us.
If your primary aim is to know your "Self," then I suggest you direct your attention to your heart chakra when you meditate. There, you will discover the calm, quiet, spacious awareness that is your true Self - the essence of your being. It is the peaceful, unchanging part of you that exists beyond your ever-changing body and mind.
The sensations you are experiencing in the area of your 6th chakra, are caused by too much of an increase in the flow of prana - aka chi - to that area. This is not really desirable, and is caused by concentrating too hard and/or too long on this area. If you switch to the above-mentioned meditation on the heart chakra, you will avoid this problem.
As for seeing images in meditation, this is normal and okay. When you are in an altered state, just about anything can pop into your mind. The dream-like images you are seeing, tend to happen when one is relaxed, and the attention has dipped into the subconscious level of the mind. However, they can, at times, be a "bleed-through" from the astral plane as well. Either way, it's best to just accept them, enjoy them for a moment if you wish, and then let them go. If any of them have a particular symbolic meaning for you, your intuition will let you know.
Dear Jim,Thanks for your last reply.(last question was mine those three questions).Sorry to bug u again. One more advise/guide please.
You suggested me to do heart Chakra meditation. I tried today in spite my focus (breathe) automatically settles down in third eye area only. Do you mean i am supposed to settle down my breathe in my heart region? Or how do i do heart chakra meditation to know my self? Kindly suggest. It would be better if we can avoid any mantra as i am not comfortable with mantra chanting.
One doubt : I have too much heating sensation in my head region after my last meditation 2 days back (issue that i reported to you regarding third eye in last query) and i was not doing meditation yesterday because of that. Anything i did wrong?
In the meditation that I suggested, focussing on your heart chakra is not the goal - rather, your heart serves as a doorway to your Inner Self. This is because your Inner Self is "seated" in the heart chakra.
This method does involve a mantra, although it is not chanted but repeated mentally. You can use it or not. However, using it tends to make this meditation easier and more effective.
Here are the steps...
• Sit comfortably with your spine reasonably straight.
• Close your eyes and breathe naturally.
• Direct your attention to your body and mentally repeat, "I am not my body."
• Direct your attention to your emotions and mentally repeat, "I am not my emotions."
• Direct your attention to your mind and mentally repeat, "I am not my mind or my thoughts."
• When you have mentally "peeled away" these layers, what is left is your pure, inner awareness... your serene Inner Self.
• To help you stay centered in your Inner Self, mentally repeat the mantra, "I am" -- "I" as you inhale, "am" as you exhale.
• If you notice that your attention has wandered off completely, simply bring it back to your Inner Self and continue.
• Continue the meditation for 10 to 20 minutes.
Regarding the heating sensation in your head, as mentioned, this tends to occur as a result of using too much effort to focus on this chakra and/or focussing on it for too long.
I HAVE GOT SOME INDECISIVENESS REGARDING CHOICE OF MODUS OPERANDI IN MY CIVIL ENGINEERING CAREER OR PLACE TO STAY IN INDIA. HOW DO I OVERCOME THIS BY MEDITATION? HOW DO I HEAR MY INNER VOICE? I AM NOT ABLE TO DECIDE.PLEASE HELP
Sometimes you can receive inner guidance on mundane matters through meditation - sometimes not. However, it is always good to ask. Here are some steps to follow: 1. Sit and close your eyes. 2. Ask for higher guidance on your situation. 3. Shift your attention from the noise of your analytical mind to your quiet heart chakra. 4. Listen with your "heart-mind." 5. Inner guidance may come in the form of thoughts, images, a "still small voice," or simply a quiet inner knowing. 6. If your guidance comes across as bossy, telling you that you "must" do this or that, it is not true guidance. 7. Sometimes guidance will not come during your meditation - although this is an important step. Rather, it will come sometime afterward, when you are simply going about your business and not trying so hard to find it.
Yes, there are ways to do this, but it is too large a topic to cover here. I suggest you read Deepak Chopra's "7 Spiritual Laws of Success" for complete info and instructions.
Hi. Please could you tell me if it's ok to deliberately slow your breathing down while meditating, breathing deeper and slower, as I seem to be more relaxed and get better results this way. Thanks Adrian
Hello, I was meditating and images flashed to me, I seen a. Rabbit bouncing around, then a man with a top hat on, just his face looking towards the floor facing away from me and looks as if he was holding a stick, I do not understand what these mean, I also seen a woman and a little boy sitting on the floor in a corner in a dark room the woman was hugging the little boy both looked sad, could u please help me interpret what this could mean.
When you meditate, there is no limit to the various images that might pop into your mind. Like dreams, sometimes they have a meaning, and sometimes they are simply random images. I can tell you what their general symbolic meaning may be, but it would be up to you to discover if these images have any personal meaning or relevance for you.
• A rabbit bouncing around would symbolize energy and/or hyperactivity. • A man with a top hat and a stick can symbolize a stage magician, an entertainer, or a person belonging to what people might refer to as "the upper class." • The sad woman and boy would symbolize being nurtured and protected during hard times.
Dear JIM, After starting meditation i have seen myself many changes like increased calmness, forgiveness, more concentration, accepting things as it is etc...These are really good. Thanks for you guidance by answering my previous questions.
However when i close my eyes and start concentrating on my inner self, in my third eye i can't see anything. Always only one color.(orange color around a dark black color. When u stand in bright sunlight and close your eyes,we can see some reddish orange color right, that orange). Its like complete dark like night sky, wherein i can see in the center dark black color surrounded by bright orange. Nothing else.
I am now worried whether i am progressing in my way or am i just stagnant for several months. I know i am not this body or this mind. But how can i realize that? One more thing to add up, the pulling power in my third eye has decreased very recently like one week or so.
If you are experiencing increased calm and forgiveness, plus more concentration and acceptance, then you are making good progress.
There is really nothing specific that you are "supposed to" see when focussing on your third eye. If you choose to use your 6th chakra as a focus for your meditation, it's important that you focus very gently, never try to force anything, and put aside all your expectations. Over time, your experience may shift in various ways.
However, if your aim is to realize that you are not your body or mind - that you are really your serene, unchanging Inner Self - then I suggest you direct your focus to your heart chakra, as this is where your Inner Self is "seated."
I am practicing mindfulness meditation. I can not stop my mind meditating automatically. My mind will start meditating by itself when I do not want it to. When I am deep in thought about certain matters , the sentence 'just a thought' pops into my mind randomly and the thing that I was thinking about disappears. How can I stop my mind from meditating automatically without my permission?
Many would consider remaining in a meditative state a good thing - assuming you are able to carry out your day-to-day tasks in that state. However, you haven't described anything about this state, except that your mind continues the practice of noting your thoughts as "just thoughts."
If you would like to add a more complete description of your experience, in and out of meditation, I may be able to make some suggestions. If you do so, please include how much time per day you spend in sitting meditation.
I have read the power of now by Eckhart Tolle. I am trying to become mindful all the time and live in the present now all the time.
I have been practicing mindfulness for the past 5 months. When I go for my walks I am looking at trees mindfully without thought or reduced thought. The trees look so beautiful. When I look through the window at the sky, mindfully, it felt really good, looking at different cloud formations. I also look at the garden with nice grass and flowers. For the first 4 months It was absolute bliss. I have never felt so peaceful in my life, free from thoughts or the increased space between each thought. I have experienced peace and quiet that I have never felt in my life. But then my mind started to hurt every time I tried to engage in a deep feeling or thought and so I decided to cut back. But stopping is not easy. I have to carry on meditating some times of the day to stop in the pain in my head. Also I wanted to experience my deep emotions such as sadness. But every time I tried my mind starts to hurt. Is it okay to practice mindfulness all the time? Such as the mindfully . enjoying natures views and sounds through the window . sitting there and enjoying the silence. . listening to the sound of my mother washing the dishes or cooking
How long will it take for me to become mindful all the time and live in the present now all the time like Eckhart Tolle? And is this advisable for a beginner like me? Do you recommend that I carry on meditating? even though my head starts to hurt if start thinking too deeply with deep emotion or if I live in the present now for too long with little thought, then my mind starts to hurt as well. So I am constantly switching between the thought and no thought world to stop the pain in my brain. Whatever my mind wants I allow it to go there. Should I carry on meditating and finish off the process or should I stop meditating? Also I am on medication for schizophrenia, is this having any effect? How long should I do mindful meditation everyday?
The first 4 blissful months you experienced are often referred to as the "honeymoon period." For those who are fortunate enough to experience this, to whatever degree, the duration varies. But for nearly every meditator who does experience this period, it eventually ends.
When the honeymoon does end, it sometimes feels as though one has been slammed back down to Earth. But this is not the time to quit meditating, or to quit attempting to remain mindful in daily life. This blissful period presents one with a "taste" of what's possible to experience on a more permanent basis through meditation and mindfulness practice in daily life.
However, from your description of what you are now experiencing, I would strongly suggest the following: 1. Dial your effort level way down - both in meditation and in exercising moment-to-moment mindfulness. On a scale of 1 to 10, keep your effort level to around 5 or 6, max. Think of it as "relaxed effort."
2. If you are meditating for more than 20 minutes a day, reduce it to a maximum of 20 minutes daily.
3. Drink lots of pure water.
4. Go easy on yourself. You are not responsible for the honeymoon ending - it is a natural cycle that inevitably runs its course.
Are the drugs having any effect? I'm sure they are, but I am not an expert in this area, so a cannot say what exactly it is.
How long will it take until you become permanently mindful - perpetually in the present?
No one can say. But I can tell you that your own efforts can only take you so far. Your effort and practice are necessary, in that they prepare you for awakening.
But when you are truly prepared, it is a mysterious force which is beyond your own effort, that will ultimately shift your awareness into a permanent state of peace and being fully present in the moment .
Once I become awakened, will I have to continue to meditate and be mindful or can I stop forever? Do Buddhist monks continue to meditate after becoming awakened?
There are different stages of awakening. In the earlier stages, continuing to meditate and make a little effort to remain centered in "the Self" - your true nature - are necessary.
However, there is a juncture in which the awakened state becomes your natural and permanent state. At that point, you can choose whether or not to enjoy the deeper absorption that occurs in meditation.
Hi I'm Kavitha, I've recently started meditating. For the first few weeks I used to see more of purple color while meditating. Now I dont get to see any colors but some images that isn't any clear at all. After meditation, I get headache and feel as though my nose is going to bleed. Besides this, I also feel as though my stomache is filled with acid. Why? Pls advice.
Hello Kavitha... In order to answer your question, I will need some more information. Please answer these questions: 1. How are you meditating? What is the basic procedure you follow? 2. How long are your meditation sessions? How many minutes per day do you meditate? 3. On a scale of 1 - 10 (10 = highest) how much effort are you making to focus when you meditate?
Hi, I listen to the kundalini awakening video on youtube. I love listening to this 'cos of the hymns and vedic chants which is abt 30mins. After this I meditate sometimes in the sitting and if tired in sleeping posture. Before I used to feel refreshed and felt as though I'm the universe. However as I kept my practice going, it slowly started giving me trouble. I get headache, feel as though my nose is going to bleed and now I also notice that I have too many veins on my wrists that have turned blue, before there used to be 1or2. I meditate in silence for abt 20mins per day after listening to the video. I am meditating and practicing mudras for the last 6 months
Hello Kavitha... The Kundalini Awakening video has triggered the flow of too much Kundalini energy, and this, in turn, has triggered the release of too much stored up toxins from your system. If you want these uncomfortable symptoms to stop, it will be necessary to quit listening to the video.
Kundalini is a very powerful energy, and although it is a positive energy, it should never be purposely stimulated. Rather, it should be allowed to awaken and increase naturally and gradually, as a result of a moderate amount of "regular" meditation - about 20 minutes a day.
So if the method you are using for your 20 minutes of meditation is not specifically designed to awaken Kundalini, I suggest you stay with that after discontinuing the use of the video. The uncomfortable symptoms will subside - hopefully soon - although no one can tell you how long this will take.
Hi jim, thank u very much for ur early reply. Im fond of listening to vedic chants, mantras & hymns. It drifts me very easily into a very devosional state. Do u think its good for me to stop listening to them all? Few months ago, on my way to office, I was listening to a devotional song much like a vedic chant. All of a sudden, I could feel my head opening into a big hole and the sky trying to accomodate itself in that hole. I held my head tight. Couldn't even walk properly after getting down from the office cab. After that I have never heard that chant again. After this for few days I kept viewing some snakes and worms wriggling, that was illusion not real. It did scare me terribly. Now with this video, again im suffering with a different type of a problem. I dont want to awaken anything, however im getting drifted away naturally very fast. Do u think I should stop listening to all that elevates my spiritual mind quickly. Im scared to stop as well. When I stop meditating I get very strong emotional ups and downs, I get very angry and so on. Im just unable to explain. I have suffered a lot. Im thankful that I happened to come across ur site.
Yes, Kavitha... Stop listening to anything that might create these problems.
Maybe in a few months, you can try listening to some gentle devotional music to see if it is ok and does not create problems. But even at that time, do not listen to anything that is clearly intended to stimulate Kundalini or quickly elevate your consciousness.
As for meditation, I suggest you continue meditating once a day for short periods - 10 to 20 minutes - not more than 20 minutes daily Also, practice a gentle meditation such as Mindfulness, or a simple breath awareness meditation, and do not concentrate too hard. Make only a medium effort to focus. Here's a link to an easy Mindfulness Meditation video if you want to be guided into it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_xEGLueiLM
There are a variety of simple exercises you can do throughout the day to come back to your "Self" - that calm inner awareness which you experience in meditation. Here are a few:
1. Conscious breathing. Simply pay attention to your breathing from time to time. This has a natural centering effect.
2. Gently focus a little attention on your heart chakra. This also brings you into your calm center - and gets you out of your noisy mind.
3. Use a mantra to reconnect you with "the Self" - your spiritual essence. "I am," "I am That," "So hum," and "Om mani padme hum," are all good for this.
4. Be mindful - pay attention.
The methods are easy - the trick is remembering to use them.
Another bizarre problem has occured. When I do mindfulness, it gets rid of fear and worry. It looks like my safety barrier is gone. This being the case, I have developed a strong urge to look at the sun, when I practice mindfulness being present moment to moment. I can not get rid of this urge, thought or feeling. It looks like my sense of danger is gone. When I stop practicing mindfulness, that urge is gone. Now I have to draw curtains, so I am not tempted to look at the sun. When I go for mindful walks (looking at the trees with reduced thought), I have to walk quickly past the sun shine and get into a shade, before I feel tempted to look up at the sun Or I have to be mindful in a room (such as looking at the sky with reduced thought) when the sun is not shining in that room. Wanting to look at the sun, is the only side effect, I've developed from practicing mindfulness. Is there anything I can do to get rid of this urge, thought and feeling when practicing mindfulness?
First, are you aware that practicing mindfulness essentially means paying attention to what is going on without judging it - just giving everything the space to be there?
In meditation, that means paying attention to your thoughts, emotions and physical sensations. Out of meditation, it means simply paying attention to whatever is going on around you - just being present with it. Nothing more.
With that said, here are some suggestions...
1. The mindful way to deal with this problem would be to accept the urge to look at the Sun without acting on it. That means no resistance - trying to fight the urge will only strengthen it. Simply acknowledge this urge, but do not look at the Sun.
2. Ask yourself, "Who is in charge here, me or my urges?" By taking command of the situation, you turn it into an opportunity to develop self mastery.
3. If you are meditating for more than 20 minutes a day, reduce your meditation time to 15 to 20 minutes - max.
4. You can try a meditation in which you "visualize" the Sun. Visualizing it inwardly is safe, and might satisfy whatever it is that is underlying this urge.
[But when you are truly prepared, it is a mysterious force which is beyond your own effort, that will ultimately shift your awareness into a permanent state of peace and being fully present in the moment .] When I am fully present; Will I be able to choose my thoughts? Will I be able to choose to get emotional about certain thoughts if I wish to? Will I be able to choose to experience grief if a loved one passes away? Will I be able to be in noisy environments such as a factory? Will I be able to study and concentrate and read books?
This morning I thought I would do the 'focusing on the breath' meditation instead of 'looking at the sky meditation'. I did this for 15 minutes. After the breathing meditation, I felt very depressed and irritable. I am presuming because all my attention was focused inwardly instead of outwardly like the sky meditation. I have read that if certain meditations causes depressed feelings, then one should stop meditating. Is this true? Should I carry on the breathing meditation despite the side effects or stick with the 'looking at the sky meditation'?
If you feel depressed after meditating, it is because the meditation has stirred up some deep emotional toxins to be cleared from your body-mind. This was most likely triggered by the breath awareness meditation because it is a bit more powerful than the sky-based meditation.
Emotional clearing is not a bad thing - it is actually quite valuable if it does not become too extreme. And the depression might pass after practicing this meditation a few times. This is something you cannot know unless you continue with it.
So you can either stay with the breath awareness meditation for a few more days to see what happens. Or you can discontinue it and return to your other practice. But if the depression persists after a week or more of the breathing practice, then I would definitely switch back to the other.
If you do continue with the breath awareness meditation, make sure you follow these guidelines: 1. Make only a medium effort to stay focussed. 2. Do not meditate for more than 20 minutes a day.
I am a bit confused. I thought the purpose of Mindfulness meditation was to be happy. Yet I was watching a youtube video and the buddhist teacher said acceptance of happiness. Why is this?
If am feeling hungry and feel like having something to eat more than I need, should I get rid of the feelings of unnecessary hunger by using meditation? Is it a good idea to do away with the feelings of unnecessary hunger by using meditation?
If you are hungry, eat until you are full and then stop. But if you suspect that you are over-eating to fill an emotional void, or find some relief from negative emotions, then I suggest you deal with those emotions.
Meditation may resolve them, but this would most likely be very gradual. A more direct form of emotional healing would be quicker and more effective. Depending on your life circumstances and financial situation, I suggest you try one of these (or some other form of emotional healing):
psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, talking about it with a trusted friend, writing in a journal, or simply spending some time quietly reflecting, in order to gain deeper insight into the problem.
This is based on an old, outworn misconception about the nature and purpose of meditation, and about the nature and purpose of life in the physical world.
Question: I am new to meditation and had a surprising experience and hope you can help me to understand what happened. I was relaxed and focusing on breathing and I felt a strong and loving "presence" around me. It became clear how much I've been missing this presence and how much I love it (much like a child loves a parent). It felt like this presence was very wise and important. Needless to say, I was very surprised by this and very emotional. It was like being with someone again that I've missed deeply, only I never knew about this person or presence until this event happened. This has not happened again. Have you experienced anything like this or know of anyone else who may have had this kind of experience?
Yes, many people have had similar experiences. From your description, I would say that you experienced the presence of one of your spiritual guides (which at one time may have been a beloved relative or friend), or the presence of your inner guru.
Whichever it was, it was a beautiful and profound experience - a re-union, signifying that you have reached a point on your spiritual journey where you are ready to open to this... inspiring you to continue on your path... and letting you know that you are not alone - that you are being lovingly guided and cared for from the unseen realms.
Question regarding feeling drained after meditation
I am a new practitioner of meditation and have been doing violet flame meditation for 15 - 20 mins which I usually do at night before sleep. after I'm done I feel very drained, and the sleep that follows is a deep one but not rejuvenating, I wake up feeling very drained and heavy and like my body is in need of more rest. Please explain why this is happening? Is there something that I'm doing wrong. Thank you.
The violet flame meditation has a very powerful transformative effect. So if you are doing it at bedtime, the inner transformation is continuing while you sleep. Essentially, a part of your consciousness is still working while you are sleeping - processing and transmuting stored up dense and toxic energies.
If you want to continue this particular practice, I suggest you try doing it earlier in the day, and see if that makes a difference. This won't guarantee that the processing doesn't continue while you sleep, but it will make it less likely, or at least lessen its intensity, allowing your sleep to be more complete.
Feeling drained directly after your meditation, would indicate one of two things:
1. That your meditation is stirring up the above-mentioned transmutation process to such an intense level, that you are feeling drained from the the detoxification aspect of it, i.e. physical-emotional toxins being flushed out of your system.
2. You are working too hard - putting forth too much effort to focus. If you are making more than a medium effort, I suggest you dial it down a bit. You might also consider keeping your meditation to no more than 15 minutes.
I am a bit puzzled. If you are only suppose to meditate 20 minutes a day, how and why do people spend all day meditating at these 8 - 30 day meditation retreats?
People generally take intensive meditation courses to accelerate their spiritual progress, or to move more quickly through difficult issues they are experiencing. This raises the question, is more meditation actually better for accomplishing this? The answer is, "it depends."
For some individuals, an intensive retreat can be quite productive, and they leave feeling very clear, peaceful and recharged.
However, for others, an intensive period of meditation can be counter-productive, due to... 1. Raising one's energy vibration too quickly, to a level that they are not prepared to handle, and 2. Stirring up way more inner toxins than the individual can effectively process and release.
What determines the difference? There are many complex factors determining whether an individual is sufficiently prepared for an intensive or not. The most tangible of these are: 1. The state of ones nervous system and energy system - is it reasonably strong? 2. How physically grounded the person is. 3. How mentally and emotionally healthy one is.
Although this is not always easy to determine beforehand, one helpful criteria is the person's lifestyle. Do they regularly engage in activities like physical exercise, physical work, Yoga or Tai Chi, etc.? And is their overall lifestyle reasonably healthy - non-toxic?
For those considering doing an intensive retreat, I suggest you take into account factors such as this before signing up.
But whether or not a person does an occasional intensive, I have observed that, for most people, about 20 minutes a day produces, good, steady progress.
I have been meditating since my retirement now I am 60years old. The experience that I get while meditating is that when I reach the point going in the deep meditation I have to move my hand to stop itching sense that usually occurs near between chin and lips
The itching is mostly the result of a little bit of unconscious resistance to letting go completely, so that you can go more deeply within. This resistance - which can manifest in various forms - is fairly common until one has experienced letting go and diving deeply within enough times to know it is completely safe, as well as very pleasurable.
Here are a couple suggestions to help you get past this: 1. At the beginning of your meditation, assure your "subconscious self" that it is okay to let go - that it is completely safe.
2. Try to go through a few meditations without scratching your chin when the itching occurs (unless it becomes extremely uncomfortable).
3. Applying a bit of lotion to your chin might also be helpful.
I have been doing meditation and very recently for the past 2-3 days i am experiencing some changes in my physical body.
1. Yesterday after meditation(focussing on third eye for about 15 mins), when i came out of my meditation room, i felt some dizziness or a feel like anesthesia for few mins(<5 mins). It was actually good and i felt some relaxation in that. Is that something to take care or what might have made this? But i felt personally that particular sitting was too effective to me.
2. In mid of yesterday i got so much lower back pain and felt some uneasiness in my whole body as if some change is happening inside. i was not able to sit in chair and i felt so much pleasure like orgasm. But after i came out for small walk and back into seat, i was normal.
3. Yesterday again in night when i tried for third eye meditation, first time i started hearing some sound (like buzz sound made by bee) which was highly noticeable for few seconds and when i tried to shift my focus on that, it slowly faded away and then i dint get it.
How do/should i focus on that sound? Will i hear that again? I feel lots of energy level changes in my body happening at extreme ends. Suddenly when going in public transport, i feel so energy less/taken away from me and sometimes i feel so much energetic in temple. Sometimes feeling so sad for no reason. I feel talking to myself too much even during meditation (but i want to avoid that at least while meditating).
Today morning again everything normal. no sound. no dizziness. Nothing.
Kindly assist me. Thanks much for your service and help to society.
The changes you are feeling are mostly caused by an increase in the flow of your inner spiritual energy - aka "Chi" or "Shakti." In time, this increased flow will become more natural, but during this gradual transition phase, experiencing phenomena like this is fairly common.
1. When you focus on your 3rd eye, the energy follows - goes where your attention is focussed, and tends to cause various feelings and sensations, such as those which you are describing. When focussing on this chakra, it is important to focus gently - never concentrate too hard or try to force anything to happen. And 15 minutes should be about the maximum amount of time.
2. The sensations in your lower back - the pain and the pleasure - were the result of your internal energy flowing to your 2nd chakra. The pain was caused by an obstruction of this energy, and the pleasurable sensations were the result of the energy removing the obstruction and being able to flow freely again.
3. See #1 - This was also the result of increased energy flowing to your 6th chakra. I don't suggest focussing on that buzzing sound.
As a result of your meditation, you are becoming more sensitive and empathic. This does make you more vulnerable to your energy being drained when you are around many people whose vibration is at a slower frequency. It also makes you more prone to experiencing/feeling their various emotions.
Because of this sensitivity, I suggest you try to spend time in more positive environments whenever possible. However, sometimes this is not possible. So when you are taking public transportation, and are in other public places, I suggest you visualize/imagine an egg-shaped shield of bright white light around yourself. Also, when you return home, try dowsing your aura with water, by flicking your fingers briskly through your energy field - or simply take a shower.
Thanks for the quick reply for my last question on lower back pain and energy draining out. I am really feeling much comfortable when i see your replies and getting more clear on my meditation process.
yesterday evening while meditating, i got to feel some heat flowing from my lower back to my heart chakra in my spinal. OMG...That much pleasure i felt throughout my body and i felt pleasure of orgasm throughout my body. I got afraid for no reason and suddenly made my self out of that state. So that heating sensation stopped with the heart chakra.
Now today morning when i tried, din't feel anything like that but very recently i feel too much energetic and happy for no reason. Of-course "Don't care" state is reached for almost anything. If this is something related to normal energy level raising as you mentioned previously let it be. If in case if this is something to deal with Kundalini energy as you have mentioned for few others in other questions, i don't want to stop that too.
Because, i din't do anything purposefully for it and it happens naturally. I have to learn to master it and use for some goodness for society.(I don't want to use it for any personal purpose). Kindly help me again. Is it possible or should i stop anything?
PS : For the past two nights i am getting dreams like someone(could not see any person/face just voice) teaching me sanskrit and yesterday you came in dream as if teaching me what is meditation and how is it related to nervous system. Crazy going i am....:-)
As long as your experiences are occurring naturally, then they are fine. Just let them come and go, enjoying them, without becoming attached to them.
The energy I referred to in my previous post as "Shakti" is one and the same as "Kundalini" - just another term for it. It is the energy which enlivens us, so it flows through all of us. But as I have said in other posts, it is very powerful and should be respected as such. If you follow a few common sense guidelines, there should be no reason to stop anything.
1. Do not make too much effort to focus - medium effort - relaxed effort - is best.
2. Never try to force anything to happen in meditation.
3. Keep your meditation time to a maximum of about 20 minutes a day.
4. If you begin to feel any discomfort that seems related to your meditation, e.g. feeling physically toxic, unusual emotional swings, extreme irritability or impatience, energy bottled up inside, etc., reduce your meditation time to about 15 minutes a day.
If, as you mentioned, you can find a way to channel this energy into something positive - something helpful - that would be ideal. It's also good to be getting some sort of physical exercise.
And no, you are not going crazy - you are simply taking night classes. :-)
Jim, you said that when I become fully present, that to remain focused on the self throughout the day by saying 'I am' is necessary. How long do I do the 'I am' meditation for, and how many times a day?
How exactly do I do the 'I am' meditation? Do I visualise myself?
This is an exercise that anyone can do at any stage on their path.
The mantra "I am" is used to put you in touch with the feeling - or "felt-sense" - that you are the silent awareness which is beyond your body, mind and emotions. This calm awareness is the core of your being - your spiritual essence.
So you do not visualize yourself - you experience your innermost self directly. However, don't worry about experiencing it clearly.
Whether doing it as a sitting meditation, or as "meditation in action," breath naturally while repeating "I" as you inhale, and "am" as you exhale. As you do this, simply make a relaxed effort to notice the quiet inner awareness that underlies everything else - the awareness which is conscious of all that is occurring.
I suggest doing this as a sitting meditation once a day for up to 20 minutes. Then, as you go about your daily activities, repeat the mantra and notice this quiet awareness whenever your mind is not fully engaged in other activities. (Best not to attempt it while driving or operating heavy machinery.) :-)
The exercise is easy to do. Remembering to do it during your daily activity is the tricky part.
No, that will not be helpful. Follow the simple steps as given, until you begin to experience your calm inner awareness - the part of you that is aware of everything - thoughts, body, external events, etc.
After couple of weeks from my last question, i have now reduced my meditation to once a day from previous two times. Now, i am doing it only in the morning for around 15-20 minutes.
Nowadays i am not able to notice any symptoms of energy movement or anything like that. Now, that 15 minutes i just see light orange colored light covering my full view of closed eye. Like early morning sunlight. Nothing else. no other experience. But mind is concentrated and not wandering over thoughts at-least for 10 mins.
I personally feel that my energy level is not raising above my second Chakra. How do i improve my energy levels for third and fourth chakra for the free flow of shakti...?
Hello Karthik... It sounds like your meditation practice has gained more equilibrium, which is good. I suggest you put aside any concerns about which chakras your energy is flowing to. Shakti is an intelligent energy, and it is best to trust that she knows where to go at any given time.
However, with that said, it can be helpful to work with any "issues" related with your various chakras.
For example, since the 3rd chakra relates to our feeling of being safe in the world, it would be good to check to see if there are any fears or concerns in this regard. Is there any underlying anxiety, or feelings of powerlessness? If so, then there is some inner work to be done here.
For the heart chakra, it is always helpful to open to love as much as possible. If there is anything hindering this, then actions such as forgiveness and/or healing past emotional wounds are called for.
• Should I carry on being mindful without repeating the 'I am' mantra. Being mindful I mean when I eat food, have a shower, wash the dishes, do the hoover or look at the garden and look at nature when I go for a walk.
• Should I do a mudra with this 'I am' meditation as well? If so, which mudra should I do?
• What do you mean by drink lots of pure water? Do I drink this before the meditation or after the meditation? How much do I drink and how many times a day?
• Yes, continue to be mindful as much as you can throughout the day. It is not necessary to use the mantra - "I am" - with your mindfulness practice. However, if it helps you remain present and mindful, then use it.
• It is not necessary to use a specific mudra with this meditation. I suggest you hold your hands anyway that feels comfortable and natural.
• There are no specific guidelines regarding drinking "lots of water." You can drink it any time, and as much as you are comfortable drinking throughout the course of a day. Just be sure that it is pure water - bottled or pure spring water - rather than ordinary tap water.
I generally recommend simply paying attention to the overall breathing process - breath coming in, filling you, and going out. But if you find either of these other methods helpful, they are also good. Just do whatever feels most natural and seems most effective.
10 minutes of Walking meditation before 10 minutes of belly breathing meditation seems to get rid of depressed feelings which I get from only doing 10 minutes of the belly breathing meditation. (feeling the rising and falling of the belly). Could you explain to me why this is? I do get a high like feeling and a real buzz out of doing just 10 minutes of walking meditation. Then when I do 10 minutes of belly breathing meditation, it brings me back down to earth and I feel normal and calm again.
Movement has been found to alleviate depression, although it's generally the effect of more rigorous movement. However, if it's helping you, just stay with it.
Hi, recently I have been experiencing the sensation of falling while meditating. When this happens I am startled out of my meditative state. Do you know what this is and what I should do? Another thing that's happening is I start to see what looks like a tiny movie screen, I can't make out what's happening and when I focus on it it gets even smaller and goes away. How can I stop the screen from disappearing? Thank you in advance for any insight you may have. Leslie
Hi Leslie... The falling sensation you are experiencing is fairly common. It occurs when an inward "letting go" starts to happen, and you begin to slip into a deeper state of awareness and relaxation. Because this deeper state is unfamiliar terrain, and because there is a subconscious sense of letting go of control when the falling sensation occurs, the natural tendency is to be startled and/or to try and stop the falling.
Eventually however, you will bypass the falling sensation and spontaneously slip into this deeper state. And once you have, and discover that it is perfectly safe - as well as very enjoyable - it will become easier to let go into it whenever it occurs.
Regarding the miniature movie screen, it's best not to try to control it. At some point - if there is something on it you are meant to see - it may not slip away. But when it does disappear on you, I suggest you simply let it go.
Hope you are doing good. I think with your suggestions i am progressing good in my meditation. Very recently for the past 3 days i am facing one issue which i thought could be solved if i wait for 2-3 days but in vain. Please help. The issue is this.
When i meditate, now i can feel the energy flow in my body very clearly. After some time i am seeing very bright circle filled with bright light like sun in my closed eyes in center. Immediately i am getting attracted towards it and it becomes more brighter and brighter to an extend that i am not able to focus. What happens is the more its attracting me the more i am moving to some other level. Means like i am seeing bright1 for example first and after getting attracted more and focusing more i am moving to more brighter say bright2 like that....More deeper and deeper. After some time may be 30 sec to a min or so involuntarily my left eye tries to open whereas my right eye is closed.
May be i am not good enough to explain but i hope you got my issue. I wanted to go much deeper and deeper as i feel the bright light is very close to me however i don't know what it is. But some inner feeling says its very close to me. But my left eye getting opened and i am coming out of my full meditation.
This is really blocking me.Kindly suggest me with your inputs on what is happening and how do i come out of this? Thanks much!
Hello Karthik... Your eye opening is being caused by one of two things. 1. There is a part of you that is resisting going deeper into the light. 2. You are not prepared to go deeper at this time.
Before your meditation, I suggest you tell yourself - your subconscious mind - that it is okay and safe to go deeper into the light. Then make just a little more effort to keep your eye closed. If there is no change, try the same simple procedure a couple more times.
If there is still no change after 3 tries, then I suggest you accept that it is not in accord with "highest wisdom" for you to go any deeper at this time, let it go, and enjoy whatever you do experience.
I was not able to close my eyes after few more tries also. I did not want to force is as you mentioned "is might not be in accord with higher wisdom at this time". however i came out of that through different try.
I tried changing my timings from morning 9 to early morning 6.30. I am not getting that bright light too much as before (but still can see that) and i moved my focus from third eye to heart. Now i have couple of things.
First is i am getting lots and lots of dreams/images during meditation nowadays and all mean something which i cannot derive the exact meaning. How can i interpret those meanings? For example yesterday i got a dream wherein a person has been worshiped by many and i am going to that place for worshiping him. Later when i go to the same place in dream, i see a snake which was laying down and when i go near trying to raise its head to attack.
Secondly my autopilot(mind voice and not inner voice) is speaking too much during meditation. When i try to go much deeper in meditation into subconscious thoughts this guy will start talking to me and trying to take me outside of my meditative state. how to avoid it?
To interpret your dreams, I suggest you combine your intuition with the knowledge of universal dream symbolism. The latter can be found in books and on various websites.
Take one symbol from the dream, look up the meaning, and then reflect a bit on it to see what your intuition tells you about its personal significance to you. Do this with each individual symbol.
As you proceed, you will find the individual pieces coming together like a puzzle, to form a complete picture of what your dream is telling you.
When your "mind's voice" becomes more active than usual in your meditation, it will not be helpful to try and resist it or subdue it. Better to simply accept it, giving it plenty of space to chatter on, while you make a "medium effort" to stay focussed on your primary object of focus - breath, mantra, or whatever. Whenever you notice your attention has drifted off into your thoughts, gently bring it back to the object of focus.
Also, rather than trying to go deeper into your subconscious thoughts, I suggest you simply direct your attention to your object of focus, and let the depth occur spontaneously and naturally.
Sorry for disturbing you with more questions. Since personally i don't go for any classes and i am learning on my own i am asking all my doubts to you and you are really helping me much with progress.
Well, as mentioned in last few comments i was struck with the bright light and could not proceed further.Now whenever i start meditating(sometimes when closing eyes normally) automatically i am seeing the bright light and i am forced to focus on that irrespective of trying to change my focus in vain. I am not able to proceed further and i am struck with this for almost 2-3 weeks now.
Yesterday after focusing that bright sun like light for say 15-30 seconds i felt like my leg is not on the ground and i felt very light of my whole body and suddenly some heat in my body. Ultimately within few seconds i started to feel vomiting sensation and again my eyes opened automatically. After its opened that sensation went down.
I don't want to focus it, but i am forced to whenever i meditate. And i don't know whats there in my sub conscious mind. I am waking up in middle of sleep at 2.20 AM and immediately my mind starts asking me why am i sleeping wasting my time like this even after knowing i am not this body....I feel like i am inside cage and this body is not me and i want to know myself(self)....
Please help....i don't want to build up stress within me or is this normal behavior after some practice of meditation and nothing to worry?
Hello Karthik... Quit meditating for 5 days. After 5 days, you can begin again. Start with gently focussing on your breathing for only 15 minutes. Make only 50% effort to focus.
If the light appears and your attention goes to it, simply bring it back to your breathing.
Do not listen to the voice in your head guilt tripping you about sleeping. Everyone needs sufficient sleep.
I followed same like you said. Quitted meditation for 10 days. Today started for 10 minutes with less focus. Light did not appear and i did not go deep as well. It worked! Hoping won't get the issue again. Let us see....Thanks much Jim for the correct advice on time.
How long should i continue for less focus and when can i go deep focus again?
Hi Karthik... That's very good. I suggest you continue like this - focussing with medium effort - indefinitely. Allow the deeper states to happen naturally. This is better than meditating with the notion that you are controlling the depth with your personal effort.
After a couple weeks, you can increase your meditation time to 15 - 20 minutes, if you choose.
Thank you for this information Jim. I have been meditating for a number of years using meditation music like the ones found on (ad deleted) :-) that are supposed to help me get into state. Is this as powerful as normal meditation and will I receive the same benefit if I use meditation music as opposed to using sensory deprivation?
First, it is important to understand that "normal meditation" does not involve sensory deprivation. Sometimes when meditating, the senses are heightened, and sometimes the attention goes deep within oneself and transcends the senses, and sometimes the sensory experience in meditation is fairly normal.
Because the power and depth of meditation depends on many factors, and varies from session to session based on these factors, and because each individual is unique, it is not really possible to draw a comparison and say which method is more powerful, or exactly what the specific results from each method will be.
Hey there! I realize this is somewhat off-topic however, I had to ask. Does running a well-established blog such as yours take a lot of work? I am brand new to running a blog, however I do write in my journal everyday.
I'd like to start a blog so I can easily share my own experience and feelings online. Please let me know if you have any kind of recommendations or tips for new aspiring blog owners. Thank you!
This blog doesn't require much work. But it's a little different, in that it's all questions and answers, so I'm not creating new material from nothing on a regular basis.
If you're starting a blog, my advice would be to write on what you are most passionate about - overall and day to day. When there's passion, it doesn't feel like work.
First of all I want to ѕay supеrb blog! I Һad a quiϲk question in which I'd like to ask if you ԁo not mind. I ԝas curious to know how you center yourself and clear your mind bеfore writing.
I have had a hard time ϲlearing my mind in getting my ideaѕ out thеre. I do tаke pleasure in writing but it just seems liҡe the first 10 - 15 minutes аre generally lοst just trying to figure out how to bеgіn. Any recommendations or hints? Thanks!
I don't really clear my head before I begin. But if I am answering a question on meditation or spirituality, I do ask for guidance on the matter before I start. Then I just write. Best of luck.
Hello Jim, I have tried "inviting higher guidance" meditation written in the lecture hall many times, but i can't imagine loving, wise being reach to me. I can only visualize tiny light far away from me. What should I do? Thank you.
The imagery is not really important. Your aim is to receive guidance - either for a specific issue, or in a general way. Therefore, I suggest you go with whatever imagery comes most easily, and then simply be receptive to whatever guidance might come to you.
When meditating for guidance, remember this info from the lecture: "You may receive an answer immediately, or after a short time. Your Higher Self may give you an answer in the form of words, symbols, pictures, or just a deep knowing. The answer may be very specific, or it may come in the form of a higher truth, which sheds enough light on the situation to help you choose wisely. If you don't receive an answer while you are sitting, it's ok. You have still begun the guidance process, and that's important. Once you have begun the process, your guidance will most likely find you at a moment when you are not trying to find it."
I've been a practitioner of mindfulness (mostly sitting) meditation for over 3.5 years now with varying consistency over that time frame. Throughout this time, I've gained a fair deal of self awareness-- but can't say that I've been able to control the stress response-- and often lived in hope of one day achieving at least a degree of inner-peace.
More recently, I read the book "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle. I began to practice being present moment by moment by following my breath as often as possible throughout each day-- as opposed to just during my sitting meditation.
The result: I finally feel freedom. I realized that sitting meditation without practicing mindfulness throughout the day gave me little to no control over my mind; thus, no peace.
I've decided to strictly focus on being present moment to moment by following my breath literally as often as I can throughout my day (ie. while driving, in class, showering ETC), and completely cut out my daily sitting meditation-- a controlled experiment. In other words, I'm meditating on the breath with my eyes open throughout my entire day (during my usual activities), and have discontinued my closed eye (sitting) meditation, for now.
In the past, I've done a couple mindfulness retreats (only a half day long), and have experienced some very overwhelming "over-meditation" symptoms. Even during shorter meditations, I often would feel negative states transpire during or after sitting meditation-- and sometimes I'd feel good.
I'm really curious why focusing on my breath with eyes open throughout my daily activities (many hours per day!) brings me such a deep peace which I've never experienced before, without ANY overwhelm (over-meditation symptoms), while sitting meditation with eyes closed can be easily overdone and put me into a state of crisis.
I've decided to continue with this self experiment, and will obviously add the sitting meditation back in soon enough-- but I really want to understand what is going on here. The effect is extremely profound, and I am very grateful to finally have control over my mind!!
My theory is that the moment to moment presence is essential to "working through" what comes up during sitting meditation, without the prolonged suffering-- the key to surrendering and dropping the resistance? I haven't yet added the sitting meditation into my daily routine since I began the new moment to moment practice I've described.
I'd love to hear your input on my recent thoughts and experiences.
Thank you so much for your valuable input and wisdom-- what you do is amazing.
Hi Ziggy... The practice of "meditation in action" is extremely valuble, and I'm pleased to hear about your good results.
The reason that meditating while sitting with your eyes closed can produce the symptoms you experienced, is that it taps into more powerful transformative energies than does non-sitting meditation. These energies clear away a good deal of stored up physical, emotional and psychic toxins, and this detoxification can result in various forms of discomfort. The detoxification tends to become especially noticeable when one does longer meditation sessions.
So the upside is the valuable cleansing of body and mind, whereas the downside is the detox discomfort.
If you are feeling good and at peace with your moment-to-moment mindfulness practice, I suggest you hold off for awhile before resuming your sitting meditation. When it becomes time to resume that facet of your practice, you will intuitively know.
My ego is gone and is no more. That emotional me is no more. It has been replaced with a happy feeling.
I have been meditating regularly for a long time now and now I am on the uncalm stage. To get rid of this uncalm feeling I have to do the 'I AM' meditation 20 minutes a day and sometimes even 30 minutes and also do traditional hatha yoga. I have felt uncalm for a couple of months now and wonder how long before enlightenment?
Also I have begun smelling smells that are not there. Is this common in meditation? On my 1 hour walks, I can smell perfume when nobody is about, male aftershave when somebody passes me by, strange unknown exotic smells, diesel fumes even when there are no cars there. Also I have begun to feel ill and nauseous I think as a result of these smells. These smells only seem to happen when I go for my 1 hour walk outside. Inside the house, there are no smells or in any other outside venues such as shopping malls or temples. I am totally puzzled. Is this part of my spiritual awakening?
I have never had this problem of smelling things that are not there before in my whole lifetime. Will these 'smelling problems' where by I smell things that are not there, be gone after enlightenment?
Are there any treatments for this problem or do I have ride it out? How long will this problem last for?
Another strange incident occurred, I went past this awful toxic smell on one of my walks. On my way back in exactly same spot, the same smell was there. As I went past it, my head started to hurt slightly. When I went home I was in this blissful state of no thought for 3 or 4 hours. My head hurt on and off for 3 or 4 days. It was a slight headache but my mind for them days felt more in the present moment. I had far less thoughts then I had before. It felt really good despite the headaches. Now either somebody was playing a prank and sprayed some LSD like substance in the air or I'm going mad, or this is part of my spiritual transformation or awakening? What do you think Jim?
Smelling things like you are describing is not a typical effect of meditation. However, meditation can indeed heighten certain senses in certain individuals. For some, the sense of hearing may become heightened. For others the sense of sight may become more acute. For you, it happens to be the sense of smell.
The things you are smelling may be physically present, but so subtle, that only you can perceive them. And at times, you may be tuning into smells on a higher plane - the astral plane.
Although this may be a source of discomfort or annoyance, I would not consider it a major problem. It may or may not pass on its own, but I suggest you try to view your heightened olfactory sense as a small indication of your growth and transformation.
No one can tell you how long these strange smells will last, or if they will subside when you reach a more enlightened state. There may be a practitioner available - a homeopathist or other alternative healer - who can recommend something to alleviate this.
And as for enlightenment, no one can tell you when that will occur. If everything goes harmoniously, it will occur when you are fully prepared and not before.
Meanwhile, I suggest you enjoy the inner happiness you have been feeling, and the deeper meditation experiences you are having.
Why does my mind hurt when I think of God? When I say there is no God, I feel better and my mind does not hurt. Why is this? Is this the reasons why Buddhists don't believe in God? Is it because I become very emotional when I think of God? Or is God somehow connected to my ego, which is now gone? Can enlightened people pray to God?
If your mind hurts when you think of God, it's a sign that it is time for you to re-assess your concepts and beliefs about that limitless consciousness we call "God."
It is not my place to tell you what to believe, but here are some guidelines to help you get started:
• Question all the beliefs you were taught by religion and family when you were growing up.
• Scrutinize any belief which holds that God is judging you or expects something from you.
• Throw out any belief which contradicts the reality that God is unconditionally loving.
324What I meant, is that my mind never use to hurt when I use to believe in God before the meditation. Now it does. So in order for my mind to stop hurting, I have to believe he does not exist. So is the meditation doing this? If so, how? After enlightenment, will I be okay to believe in God again?
As you meditate, you evolve, and as you evolve, your beliefs must evolve too. If your thoughts of God are causing you pain, it indicates that you have outgrown (are evolving beyond) your old beliefs in the Universal Consciousness known as God.
This is why I say, it is time for you to re-think your concept of God. That does not mean to reject the entire idea of a Higher Intelligence. Rather, it means to bring your old beliefs more in line with your current stage of evolution.
This is not uncommon, although most people do not describe it as their "mind hurting." Many individuals are evolving beyond their old God beliefs. Consequently, it's time for a conceptual upgrade.
Also, I suggest you try not to concern yourself with what will happen after you become enlightened, and remain focussed on the present stage of your journey.
What happens if I become ill or sick for a long time when feeling uncalm before enlightenment and I can not do meditation or yoga ? What happens if I suffer a long term injury and I am in pain, and I can not think or feel nothing besides the pain, will this affect my meditation or yoga? What happens if the injury prevents me from doing meditation or yoga long term?
I suggest you make it a focus of your spiritual practice to observe your mind, watching how it creates all these "what ifs."
They are only projections of your mind with no rational basis. Your mind thinks it is helping and protecting you by creating these thoughts, but it is only causing distress. The more you come to understand this, the less power these fear-based thoughts will have over you.
This was a one off day. I did 30 minutes of I am meditation to feel calm. I still did not feel calm after doing this. So I did another 10 minutes. After these 10 minutes I still did not feel calm. After these 10 minutes were up I could not do anymore meditation because my mind started to hurt which is normally a sign to stop meditating. I was totally puzzled to why I was not feeling calm. So I decided that I would mop the floor to see if that would get rid of my uncalm feeling. And that did the trick. I was mopping the floor normally without meditation. The following day I could only meditate for several minutes and the day after several minutes again. On tuesday 2nd december 2014, I only did 16 minutes. During those days I did not have to do yoga to relax because I felt very relaxed already.
It looks like that one time 40 minutes of meditation affected my routine. I wonder could you shed some light on what actually happened here?
Meditation clears away physical and emotional toxins from our body-mind. That includes the residual energy of deep seated fears, past trauma, etc.
This is a good thing. But when you meditate too much, it tends to trigger too much detoxification, which can manifest in the form of exaggerated emotions, such as worry, irritability, etc. Therefore, it's best to keep your meditation time to a level which allows the detox process to proceed at a comfortable pace.
Can you speak on the effects of music on the mind? It seems like the extreme stimuli from listening to music for extended periods of time must have an effect on an individuals ability to stay mindful throughout the rest of their day..
In regards to staying mindful, it would partly depend on what sort of music it is, as well as on how it was being used.
If it is being used to tune out a person's thoughts and surroundings, then yes... it would tend to have the opposite effect of being mindful - being present with what is.
And if the music is indeed extremely loud and stimulating, then this quite likely would negatively effect ones efforts to stay mindful.
However, if it is simply being used as background music, and is relatively peaceful, then it shouldn't have too much of an effect on this.
How come some people say 'they held off enlightenment and wanted to stay here on earth.'? Towards the end will I have this choice, of being enlightened or not?
The Bodhisattva vows to remain within this sphere after attaining enlightenment, in order to help all beings awaken spiritually. They do not put off enlightenment - they just do not move on to other spheres, opting to remain here to serve humanity.
At some point, you may have this choice, even if you do not take the Bodhisattva vows. If so, at that time you will have what is necessary to choose wisely.
This is very bizarre. When I try to work the uncalm feeling comes up making it impossible for me to work. This has happened on many days now in the past week.
I am at the uncalm stage of the meditation, and I have been feeling uncalm for 4 months now. Enlightenment seems to be taking forever.
If my ego is gone, then why did start crying and get emotional over a sad story on the tv? I have also begun to get angry again. I never use to get angry when I started the meditation. Even several months into the meditation, I found it impossible to get angry or to get emotional because of themeditation. So why am I getting emotional and angry now? I thought meditation was suppose to stop me getting angry or emotional.
Meditation practice and the spiritual journey go through many stages. "Uncalm" stages are not uncommon. Sometimes they are brief - hours or days - sometimes longer - weeks or months.
It's important to understand that these stages of mental and emotional turbulence are generally the result of a large amount of internal cleansing - physical-emotional-mental detoxification.
It's also important to understand that this is a necessary and valuable part of the awakening process.
Although it is a natural tendency to want to think we are close to reaching a goal, in regards to your spiritual path, it's best to put aside those thoughts. Forget about reaching enlightenment and transcending your ego, continue with your spiritual practice, accept your humanness, and trust that your journey is moving forward in accord with divine timing.
Unfortunately, the detox process follows no set pattern. Therefore, it's impossible to map out or predict. It waxes and wanes throughout the spiritual journey. Toward the end of the journey, it may decrease, or it may spike. It all depends on each individual's unique needs.
The important thing is to accept it, understand its value, and do what you can to facilitate the process. That primarily involves remaining on track with your meditation practice.
But it can also include things like increasing your water intake, incorporating some yoga or other exercises, getting sufficient rest, and following your body's wisdom, regarding what you put into it.
Do you recommend meditation for people with schizophrenia? The schizophrenia, I am talking about is for people that hear voices. This is because I know a relative who has schizophrenia and I am not sure if I should recommend meditation to him.
My ego has been gone for a couple of months now. Recently in the past week, my mind has started to feel confused and puzzled as if it's searching for an ego that is not there. It is not a pleasant feeling.
It is as if my mind is asking, where is the ego gone? Where are you? Will this puzzled, confused feeling pass with time? If so, how long?
I'm sorry to be the one to break it to you, but it is your ego-mind that is experiencing the confusion and asking the question.
The confusion will pass, and ultimately - when your ego has truly completed its mission - you will see through the illusion of individuality and separateness. For now, however, I suggest you continue on your journey with the trust that all things happen with perfect divine timing.
Why i am feeling tired and sleepy as if i did n't slept last night ,after doing a meditation of 10 minutes.off course before meditation i used to do some yoga and pranayama for 10 to 15 minutes and also i sit as much as straight i can. but still i m getting tired and sleepy after 10 minutes of meditation.could u please explain me why this happens?
• If you are getting tired only while you are meditating:
The meditation is bringing up some very deep exhaustion stored in your body-mind. It will pass, but if possible, let yourself have a short nap after 10 minutes of meditation.
• If you are feeing tired during the day as a result of meditation:
Usually when this occurs, it is because the meditation has triggered some detoxification - the cleansing of physical, emotional and mental toxins from the system. This cleansing is extremely valuable and will pass, but it can give rise to a bit of tiredness while it is occurring.
Another cause can be that your subconscious mind is processing some issues while you are sleeping. This is also valuabe and will pass, but it can keep your sleep from being deep enough to get sufficient rest.
Whether it is one or both of these reasons, if you are meditating for only 10 minutes a day, the tiredness should pass soon. If you are meditating longer, I suggest you cut back to 10 - 15 minutes.
I'm curious-- what's your opinion on TM? Many seem to try to make it out to be superior to other forms of meditation.. Is there any truth to this. I've practiced mindfulness for some time now..
What is your opinion on psychedelics? There's some research going on at John Hopkins with meditation + psilocybin..
The study should shed light on the idea that psychedelics may expedite the process of attaining various degrees of enlightenment (measured through neurophysiological parameters).
Anecdotally, it appears that psychedelics do speed up the process.
My thoughts: Considering that the brain of an enlightened human looks similar to that of someone experiencing a legitimate mystical experience through psychedelic use, when viewing fMRI scans; I believe that neuroplasticity would be the mechanism, explaining why this may be true (if it is).
I know that many practitioners of various traditions aren't even willing to speak about the topic. But, I take a dogma free approach... Would love to hear your thoughts.
Here are a few of my thoughts on this: • Psychedelics have their up-sides and down-sides. -- The upsides, being the potential to open an individual to various states of higher consciousness, and the ability to help a person break free from overly-limiting mind-sets.
-- The downside: Opening an individual's awareness too much and too quickly.
This mainly involves - but is not limited too - the person's energy system (chakras, etc.) and nervous system. The effects of this can include disorientation; unreliable perceptions and interpretations of reality; over-sensitivity to energies in ones surroundings; chakras, endocrine system, and nervous system thrown out of balance.
• Although the brain may reflect states of enlightenment to some degree, permanent states of enlightenment transcend the brain, i.e. are not dependent on it, and hence, cannot be accurately measured by the brain's activity or changes.
• I'll wait until the Johns Hopkins studies are conclusive before commenting on them.
Most of the "standard" scents have a calming influence - Sandlewood, Jasmine, Nag Champa, and Frankincense. Here in Mexico, Copal is widely used. It's probably available some places outside of Mexico as well.
The important thing is to find some that's reasonably pure. I'm sure there are exceptions, but you're more likely to find the pure stuff in a new age store than on the supermarket shelf. :-)
If your mind hurts, it indicates: 1. that you are making too much effort to do this, and 2. that it is better to simply give your thoughts the space to be there, as they are.
I speaking to somebody about meditation. He told me that there is no such thing as enlightenment. He said that he goes to meditation groups and nobody in there talks about being enlightened. He said there was a guy in there who has been meditating for 5 years and is yet to get enlightened. What do you make of this conversation?
I can tell you that there is indeed a state of consciousness in which a person is always centered in the peace, light, freedom and happiness of their true spiritual nature. This state of consciousness has been called "enlightenment," as well as other names.
There are various degrees - or levels - of enlightenment, and I have had the good fortune to spend time with many individuals who have attained the highest levels of this state.
In regards to 5 years of meditation - for most individuals, this is not nearly enough time to reach this state of awareness.
The meditation has done something to my mind so that I can't believe in God. I just believe in the present now. If I don't believe in God, why do I keep on mentioning his name? Why do I hold the bible in my hand to feel reassured when I am anxious? Boy, am I confused.
It's time for you to re-examine your concept of God, and bring it up to speed with your current state of awareness. This will require tossing out all your outworn notions about that Universal Consciousness we call "God."
Is it possible for enlightened people to become violent? I just read an article in the news that this has happened. Please visit the link below. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22356306
One who is truly enlightened will not become violent. They may use force if it is absolutely necessary, but that is not the same as violence.
Just because someone is a Buddhist monk does not mean that they have reached a state of enlightenment. I read that article, and these are not enlightened individuals, but simply members of a violent cult which provides an outlet for their own anger and violent tendencies.
Although the term "enlightenment" can be applied to any permanent state of higher consciousness, there are different levels individuals experience as they continue to evolve spiritually. These levels cannot be articulated precisely, because there are various gradations, and they tend to overlap. However, here is a general description of the major stages:
1. Being established in the unwavering peace of our Inner Self - the silent, unchanging inner awareness that is the ground of our being.
2. Being united with and embodying our Higher Self - the unseen dimension of our being that dwells on a higher plane of reality, and is always aware that we are part of the infinite Universal Consciousness.
3. Transcending the illusion of individuality completely, and perpetually experiencing our oneness with the boundless Universal Consciousness.
Jim, you said it takes 5 years for most people to get enlightened. I read somewhere on the internet it only takes 2 years. Is this true? Also what is the shortest time that someone has become enlightened?
It seems that you seriously misread what I said a few comments back. What I said was:
"In regards to 5 years of meditation - for most individuals, this is not nearly enough time to reach this state of awareness.
You simply cannot put a time-frame on this process, which differs for everyone. However, it is safe to say that for the vast majority of individuals, 5 years really is not enough time to reach a state of enlightenment.
I have noticed at this stage of meditation, that God is connected with the ego. If I have no ego then I can not believe in God. Before the meditation sometimes I use to hate myself and get angry and sorrowful with God when I thought about the suffering in the world. So the ego and God are one and closely connected. Now that my ego is nearly gone, I don't feel this self loathing and anger towards God anymore. I just have a happy feeling and no thoughts there.
Surely it's better thinking nothing then thinking the old way? What do you think?
If you feel happier and less angry, then it's fine.
However, your new thinking has nothing to do with the actual Universal Consciousness often referred to as "God" - only your mind's erroneous concept of God.
I was just thinking, it would be good idea if people were taught about the 'I AM' mantra meditation when they first start meditation. Because they would be in big trouble, if they did not know how to do this meditation and they were meditating for a long time. What do you think Jim?
I believe it's an excellent meditation which easily brings people back to the deep peace of their Core Self. And since you bring it up, the mp3 is available here... :-) Meditation on Your Inner Self
Does having encounters with negative people, which tend to make us feel stressed, have a bad impact on our meditation? Do they hinder our progress, or rather give an opportunity to test ourselves?
It shouldn't be a problem. Part of the purpose of meditation is to relieve us from this sort of stress.
As for hinderance or opportunity... I suggest you go with "opportunity." Negative people provide us with a great opportunity to test our compassion, our patience, and how anchored we are in our calm center.
I really miss my ego mind. I quite liked having fluid thoughts, and getting lost with them and enjoyed my mind chasing after these thoughts. Sometimes, when the thoughts are not there, it really feels horrible. Will, my mind get use to this state of little thought or will I miss my ego self? Jim what is your experience? After all these years of meditation, do you miss your ego self before the meditation? Have you spoken to other meditators who have told you that they have missed their ego self before the meditation?
I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but 1. you are mistakenly equating having less thoughts with having no ego-mind, and 2. if you have these concerns, and if there is still a sense of "I" to miss things and feel horrible, then you still have an ego.
You may have been taught that getting rid of the ego is synonymous with spiritual awakening. There is a grain of truth to this. However, transcending the ego is not a goal, but a byproduct of spiritual awakening.
The ego is a necessary part of our lives, and will be a part of us until we have truly reached a state of awareness where it is no longer needed.
What is the ego's purpose? Its main purpose is to provide us with a temporary identity, and to help us navigate the physical world.
But when we have gradually expanded our identity to embrace our oneness with Universal Consciousness, and the Cosmic Intelligence is totally in the driver's seat, the ego's mission will be completed, and it will fall away naturally like a ripe fruit falls from a tree.
Can you speak a bit on the effect of ingesting animals on our consciousness? From my understanding, the fearful energy of the animals affect our consciousness when ingested.
Hello Z... Yes, I have heard this, and agree that there is some truth to it. Everything we ingest has a subtle effect on our consciousness, and when eating meat from an animal that was experiencing fear and pain, some of that is absorbed - both on a vibrational level, and through the adrenalin that remains in the animal's blood.
How would this affect us? It's not possible to know the exact effect or the degree to which it affects us. But I can say that at least in some small way, it's likely to add to whatever fear or fearful tendencies already exist an individual's psyche and emotional body.
So if you are considering a vegetarian diet, this is a relevant thing to factor in.
However, if you eat meat, intend to continue doing so, and are concerned about this, you might consider trying kosher meat. Even though it is still killing animals, I've heard that kosher meat producers do take some of this into account. For example, they drain the animal's blood, and also have strict rules about the method used to kill the animal.
Depending on various factors, your sex drive may or may not decrease. Among those factors is how much Shakti (aka Chi) is flowing though your body, and how much of it is flowing to your 2nd chakra.
But even if you still have a sex drive, a large part of the enlightenment experience is a state of non-attachment, i.e. being free to choose, rather than being addicted to your desires - an "I can take it or leave it" attitude.
However, it is important to understand that the sex drive is a natural and healthy aspect of human nature. Virtually all of us are hardwired for sexuality. So judging ones sex drive as bad, or "un-spiritual" is not a constructive thing to do. It's better to accept it, and if possible, find a healthy way to fulfill it.
I have noticed this behaviour in Eckhart Tolle. Before he speaks he will breath heavily twice and looks like he is sighing.
Ajahn Brahm looks fed up as well and it's like he really looks stressed before he speaks . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRutmoPEWaQ
I have noticed the same behaviour in me, I will breath heavily twice and sigh each time before I speak. There is a uncomfortable uncalm feeling just before I speak which only lasts for a few seconds before it is gone. Once I am talking, I feel okay.
Is this the side effect of meditation, the side effect of having no ego? Even though I do it, it is quite bearable and not painful at all. Just an unpleasant sensation for a couple of seconds or so which doesn't bother me at all, but why is it happening?
Jim, Please see the youtube video. Well, you don't have too see the video, you could just google the name. There is a guy called Rufus May, who uses 'Walking Meditation' to help deal with his voices. I have spoken to somebody else on the mental health forum, who also says she does 'walking meditation'. I can understand what you mean when you said, that people that hear voices should not do meditation. I mean what happens if they have the 'meditation uncalm feeling' and they can not focus on their breathing due to their voices, that means they are going to end up with problems.
Walking meditation is a very helpful practice for developing mindfulness in everyday life. If it also helps people who hear unwanted voices, that's great - a good substitute for sitting meditation.
I suggest that people who hear voices do not practice sitting meditation because it is likely to exacerbate the condition.
It all depends on what their aim is. If their aim is to catalyze transformation and spiritual awakening, then yes, the depth that can be experienced in sitting meditation is generally necessary.
Hi, I started meditating a couple of years ago, I don't do it often, but when I do I an connect to my third eye chakra fairly easily and see myself as a purple spark of light. The other day a bright yellow light appeared in the upper right of my minds eye and I got a very strong and instant feeling that it was my fiancé I was seeing as this light. I would love some insight into what this might mean or symbolise! Thank you Jim! :)
I take your question to indicate that you have an actual fiancé - in a physical body and all. :-) If this is the case, then you most likely had a brief meeting with a "higher dimension" of your fiancé on a higher plane.
We are all multi-dimensional, and our interactions are not limited to the physical world. So I'd say you can trust your feeling - your intuition - about this.
If, however, you were using the term "fiancé" to symbolize a future hope, then you most likely had a higher plane encounter with your future partner.
How are children raised in Buddhism? Do Buddhist children do meditation before becoming adults? Do Buddhist children become enlightened before becoming adults?
It would depend on whether the children are in a monastery or living with their family. If in a monastery, they would be trained in meditation and other monastic Buddhist practices as they grow up. If they are living at home with their family, they would mostly be raised much like other children. Some families might teach their children to meditate at an early age, while some may not.
As for becoming enlightened before they become adults... if a soul was at an extremely advanced stage of spiritual evolution when it incarnated, then it could happen. Otherwise, it's not likely.
Hi when I meditate I see a bright white triangle in the top right background of my sight. When I concentrate hard enough without looking directly at it it spreads across the top of my sight then if I'm lucky my whole vision goes to the brightest of white just like when your sunbathing with sun shining in your eyes but this is white. I then find myself spinning/ dizzy and have to open my eyes before Im sick! Can anyone explain what's happening? Also when I'm meditating I suddenly picture an object be it a computer screen ,a tree anything and its amazingly clear but because it just happens it makes me jump and I loose the image. Any tips of staying in that image? Thank you
Hello Adrian... You are opening your awareness to higher dimensions of reality. In the higher realms, the energy that pervades everything is brighter, and often appears as white light. Hence, you are getting a nice taste of this light.
The spinning and dizziness is most likely occurring because you have not yet acclimated to this higher energy... Unless you are concentrating too hard, in which case, dialing your concentration level down might alleviate the spinning and dizziness.
Regarding the images you are seeing, the increased clarity is a result of seeing these things from a higher state of awareness - beyond the mental cloudiness that generally filters our perception. Although they may be interesting, I suggest you enjoy the fleeting images without trying to hold on to them. Just let them come and go.
Hi Jim, I wrote to you a few days ago to let you know how much I enjoy your stories and hope you feel like sharing more with us. I guess cyber gremlins ate it. lol Thanks, Sheryl
Hi Sheryl... Glad to hear you enjoyed the sketches. If I recall any other life experiences I feel will be both entertaining and inspiring, I'll be happy to share them.
I was born a Psychic Medium/Clairvoyant..I had many strong abilities until the late 1980,s...I had to close down/shut the door.. I stayed closed for 20 yrs then it all starting coming back..The only thing that didn;t come back was my ability to see colors, to envision things in meditation. How do I get this back? I've tried for yrs. with no success. Can you help me??
If this ability is not returning naturally, then perhaps it is not the right time for it to return. There is a higher wisdom at work in the way our journey plays out, and it is best to trust its perfection. I suggest that you enjoy those abilities that have returned, use them for the greater good, and be patient with the visual aspects.
I practice visualization nightly before I go to sleep, usually settling into my inner being by focusing on the sensory experience and image of falling from a tree as a leaf, then sinking to the bottom of a deep pool, very relaxing. I also use another meditation, descending my internal staircase. I focus on the visualization, descending slowly, focusing on the images and allowing the contents of each niche to materialize at their own pace before meditating on the contents and slowly moving on. I have very fully developed the visualization, the stairs are gold quartz, rounded and soft, smooth white plaster walls, carved white moulding around each niche, warm chestnut wood column railing... Recently I was picturing the room above for a calming departure from my usual self exploration. Arching dome windows full of golden sunlight, gold laced quartz expanse of floor, green leafy plants, chestnut bookcases and canopy bed with gauzy hangings... But I visualized something unexpected. A woman, dressed in a gold and white renaissance style dress, beautiful, serene, an up do of golden curls, sitting on the bed. Not scary, I found her very interesting. She has no eyes, like there are black holes instead of eyes. It doesn't look gross or scary... Entrancing, maybe. I'm not sure why she is there, do you have any ideas? I've been looking into it and getting no where. I drew a picture of her,but there is no way to share it here. Is she me? She doesn't look like my image of me in my head. And why no eyes? Not torn out eyes, not sunken eyes or black eyes... Like eyeholes filled with black smoke maybe?
From your description, there are a couple of options:
1. She might have been a disembodied spirit from the Renaissance era who dropped by to enjoy your meditative energy.
2. She might have been a vision, representing something of personal significance to you - possibly an ideal of beauty and grace. If it is symbolic for you, then somewhere in your consciousness you know what that is. You might ask your Inner Self, see what comes up, and trust your intuition.
The fact that she had no eyes would quite likely be symbolic, whether she was a spirit or a vision - possibly symbolic of non-judgment. Possibly symbolic of something in your life you are not seeing.
Whichever the case - spirit or vision - it sounds like a very positive experience. When you are in an altered state of consciousness, you just never know what will pop up. :-)
Hello I have a question about a strong pressure in the middle of my forehead? I've had an extremely stressful year and so on the past few months I've begun to meditate, I feel it's going ok but I've have developed a pressure almost pain in the middle of my forehead that is stopping me from sleeping. It only occurs at night and has me quiet worried which I'm sure isn't helping matters. Can anyone explain or have had similar experiences? Please help!!
The pressure is occurring due to an increase in the flow of your inner spiritual energy, also known as "Chi."
Meditation tends to increase the flow of this energy, which is mainly a good thing, as Chi is the energy that catalyzes inner healing and transformation. However, it can cause physical pressure if it encounters an obtruction to its flow. The forehead is typically where this occurs, although it can happen in other areas as well.
The pressure usually diminishes once the energy has cleared away the obstruction, but here are two suggestions that may reduce it more quickly.
1. If you are meditating for more that 20 minutes a day, I suggest you cut back to 20 minutes or less.
2. If you are making a strong effort to concentrate - to stay focussed - I suggest you dial it down to a level where you are making only about a 50% effort. Staying very focussed in meditation is not necessary for getting good results - especially if you are meditating to relax and reduce stress.
If you do this, and the pressure persists for another week, please let me know, and include any details you think would be relevant - especially a description of the method you are using.
I have two 30 minutes session with guided meditation. I want connect with who I am. Why is it when I do positive for people negativity comes back to me?
Hello Candace... If you continue with your daily meditation, you will begin to experience more of who you truly are - the peaceful, loving awareness of your Inner Self.
As for why people respond to your positive actions with negativity, there are various underlying factors at work here:
1. The karmic connections from previous lifetimes that you have with these people . 2. The fact that people don't always respond the way we want, and that life does not always seem fair. 3. Negative expectations that exist deep in your unconscious mind. These will come into the light of your awareness to be released as you continue your meditation.
Regardless of how people respond, I encourage you to continue doing good things, and always treat people with kindness and respect.
Q. I have read on the internet that once I am enlightened, I will have an opportunity to leave my body (expansion). I am worried that if I try this that will not be able to come back to my body. Is there a possibility of this happening? Do you recommend expansion or people leaving their body after enlightenment?
A. Your soul is connected to your physical body by what is called "the silver cord." This cord assures that you cannot leave your body permanently until it is time to end this incarnation and cross over.
However, I do not recommend that you do anything to leave your body at this time. And after you attain a high level of enlightenment, there will be no need to do this, because then you will know and experience that you exist everywhere
Q. Hello Jim, this is jag here. I am still on the uncalm stage and haven't meditated for quite a while. Sometimes, I find myself crying for no reason. Sometimes I feel despair and sadness at losing my thoughts when my mind has gone blank for a short period. Is this normal? This crying is very unsual for me.
Am I going through the 'Dark Night of the soul' or something?
A. Yes, you are going through a cleansing period - a physical and emotional purification - often referred to as a "dark night of the soul."
It will pass, but meanwhile, it's important to feel the emotions when they come up. It is also very good to allow yourself to cry freely - very cleansing.
Q. Hello Jim. Me being able to sense somebody next to me, I can no longer feel. For example, if my mother is in the room next door or sitting on the sofa behind me, I can not sense this. I felt myself crying and getting emotional about this situation. Sometimes I feel so alone when like this.
Am I going through the 'Dark Night of the Soul' and how long will it take to get through it? Will this happen again after enlightenment?
A. This, and other situations, are acting as necessary triggers to bring up deep emotions to be cleansed. As I said in the previous answer, feel the emotions. There is no way to know how long it will take to get through this phase, but acknowledging and feeling the emotions will expedite the process. After true enlightenment occurs, these experiences will not be necessary.
Q. Another time I started crying because I could not feel the sense of time. I can not understand why I am crying over this? Is this normal?
A. There is no such thing as normal anymore. :-) Just go with it.
'Many seekers do not understand and do not have what it takes. They try the expansion a few times, find themselves unwilling or unable to cooperate with the outward thrust of the self. They return to the fork in the road where higher consciousness began and they willingly take the other road: the road of self-confinement.' ______________________________________________________________________________
Jim, what is that mystic talking about then? Please could you make sense of it for me.
1. The spiritual experience of total expansion of consciousness is available to those on the spiritual path.
2. When this occurs, ones consciousness - or spiritual essence - literally expands to experience its true nature, which is one with the Infinite Universal Consciousness.
3. For those who are prepared for this, it's wonderful - the experience of freedom, bliss or ecstacy.
4. For those who are not prepared, it can be scary - so scary that they may even try to put the brakes on their spiritual progress. This is because the ego - the mental construct that we are separate individuals, apart from the One Consciousness - fears that it will be permanently extinguished if one expands beyond its limited identity.
5. But the ego is not permanently extinguished until the spiritual practitioner is fully prepared for this to occur.
Hi, So happy to find you Sir. I have been practising meditation since a few years, although I am not very regular on it. A few months back I don't know how but I developed a wish to raise my kundalini. I researched on it and found about the dangers of it and soon I let go of my wish and resisted it. But soon I realised I enjoyed my meditation more as it became deeper and deeper. I used to feel strong vibrations in my body wish was very pleasant. But one day when I went to bed late at 3:30 am after my work, I experienced a sudden rush of energy rising up my body filling every cell with delight. As if everything is blooming. And then I was paralysed and, saw some lights and became very light like feather. Then my body floated upto my rooms ceiling. I became very afraid and chanted my deity's name and soon I was back in my senses. Maybe it was OBE. But definitely it wasn't a dream. Very real. I switched on my lights. Loved my child and prayed to god not to show me such things again. I was vibrating strongly till half hour after that experience. After a few days while meditating I felt a lizard climb up and down my back. But there was no real lizard. Meditations gave me stronger vibrations. Then one day while trying to sleep I again felt a burst of energy exploding out of my head into complete nothingness. Scary again. Soon I started fearing meditation. I stopped meditating. Now I am back to my normal self. But somewhere I don't feel happy inside. I have got everything. But still I feel some lack. I am a cheerful person also I have successful ly let go of my painful past. I realise I have changed a bit for good. But I want to find answers for my strange experiences. I am sure my kundalini has not risen yet as I am simple human with my own set of flaws. Please please answer what was all that? I want to meditate now but can't go that deep now.
Hello Rashi... All of the experiences you have described were the result of a large and sudden increase in the flow of kundalini. The energy known as kundalini is much misunderstood. This energy is simply the "life force" that flows through everyone - it is the energy that keeps our bodies alive. It is also known as "chi" or "prana."
However, it is indeed a very powerful energy, and when there is a sudden increase in its flow, extreme experiences like yours can occur. Hence, the power of kundalini should be respected, but it should not be feared.
Such experiences, although they can be very elevating while they are occurring, often leave an individual somewhat confused and unsettled in their wake. It is not uncommon for some individuals to fear these experiences, because they are so different from our normal reality. Experiences of this nature also tend to trigger the release of deep seated physical, emotional and mental toxins, which - although a positive, healing occurrence - when extreme, can add to the confusion, fear and other negative feelings.
Although there is no way to guarantee experiences like you had will not occur again, there are some simple, common sense guides to follow, that will significantly decrease the chances of these occurring.
1. Meditate for no more than 20 minutes per day.
2. Never meditate with rigorous concentration, no matter what you may have been taught. Medium effort to stay focussed - around 50% - is best.
3. Never practice a method in which there is an attempt to move energy or stumulate kundalini in any way, or a deliberate intention to open the chakras.
If you follow these guidelines, there is a good chance you will not have such extreme experiences in the future, but there are many factors that determine one's experiences. So as mentioned, I cannot guarantee it.
If you have any further problems, feel free to contact me.
Hi, This is Rashi again. Thanks for replying sir. Although those strange experiences of kundalini awakening no longer trouble me but it is quite sad that meditation is no longer an easy sport for me. I have to struggle again like others to go in those deeper stages. Also, please suggest ways to develop my intuition so that I can take better decisions about people and my life. I feel my personality lacks lusture like highly evolved individuals. I want to develop a right attitude so that I can survive well in relationships and this materialistic world so that all my karmic accounts are settled.
Hello Rashi... I suggest you quit struggling to reach deeper states. Simply go through the steps of your meditation with medium effort, and accept whatever happens. Making too great of an effort can lead to various energy-related problems.
Regarding intuition, meditating regularly will help develop your intuition naturally. There are exercises for developing intuition, but I do not teach them.
Eckhart Tolle said that his thought processes was reduced by 80%. I read somewhere that even enligtened monks can not get rid of there thoughts 100%. Is this true?
Yes, the basic premise is true. The mind thinks thoughts - that's it's job, But in higher states, one's awareness is expanded, so the thoughts can move through the mind without the attention getting enmeshed in them, somewhat analogous to the way clouds move freely through the vast blue sky.
Although "Namaste" is a Hindi word, meaning "the Divine essence in me bows to the Divine essence in you," it is Universal in its meaning and intent. Meditation is also a Universal practice, done by people from all religions and all cultures - not exclusive to Buddhism or Hinduism.
I have been meditating for a year now with little results for helping my social phobia and shyness. My mind does become clear but i just cant keep out of my head when not meditating and cant be in the present moment.
Do you have any meditation practices for helping me? Any mantra for this?
I cannot guarantee this will work, but here is a mantra to connect you with your Higher Self - the part of you that is always at peace, and the part of you where your true power resides.
The mantra is "I am that I am." You can use it as your object of focus in meditation - and you can also repeat it silently or quietly outside of meditation, especially in instances that may trigger your problem.
When meditating, I suggest you mentally repeat "I am" as you inhale, and "that I am" as you exhale.
When using the mantra in or out of meditation, try to sense the powerful presence of your Higher Self, but it's ok if you don't get a sense of it. Remember that your Higher Self is not a separate being - it is an integral part of you.
I really cant wait to start it and when i read that i should try to sense my higher self, i felt like i did sense my higher self.
I just don't understand who and what my higher self really is? Some people say it's my better self but some say it's just part of allot of people's higher self. Also that there is a higher soul for these higher selves.
Could you plz explain what you believe on this matter? An article if you have one plz?
I have heard that the mantra I am that i am is what God told Moses who he should call him, so is the higher self, The father (God)that Moses talks about? Or is The Father the higher self of all higher selves?
Sorry if this is not the site for these questions and will accept it if you cant answer these questions here. I will appreciate it if you could PLEASE.
Either way i will still do the mantra and thank you very much God bless
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«Oldest ‹Older 801 – 1000 of 1042 Newer› Newest»Dear Jim, Thanks much for the service first of all. I am practicing breathe meditation from past two days. I have been doing this 3 years back for a couple of months and then left it due to situations. Now started again after 3 years.
I can feel from 2nd day itself that in my center of forehead i feel some pulling kinda thing. i like it and i did it more today around 1 hour. Surprisingly i can see only dark color inside and nothing else. Two doubts now i have. Could you please help me.
1. Even after completing and opened my eyes for past 5 mins even in front of computer monitor i still feel the pulling force (lessened) and bit of pain too. is this okay or something to worry?
2. During that meditation i saw some of natural scenarios which i have seen before in person, some Guru's whom i have worshiped. Those people and persons appear and disappear and everything becomes black again. Now, how do i know am i really meditating and my third eye is seeing these or my mind is imagining/dreaming some thoughts? Or to put up in other words, how do i confirm i am doing meditation and seeing reality or still my mind is cheating me? :-)
Thanks much in advance!
Hello...
1. The "pulling force" you are feeling at the center of your forehead, is the result of an increased amount of inner spiritual energy - aka chi - moving upward through this area. The slight pain is being caused by this energy meeting with a little bit of resistance at that spot.
It's nothing to worry about, but if you cut your meditation time in half, the pain is likely to subside sooner. One hour is a bit too much if you are just re-starting your practice.
2. I suggest you do not base whether you are "really meditating" on what you see in your mind's eye. If you are going through your meditation steps, you are most definitely meditating, regardless of what you experience.
If you are seeing scenarios that you have actually seen before, then you are experiencing memories. That's fine, especially if they are uplifting memories.
You will experience all sorts of internal phenomena as you continue to meditate, and it's best to simply enjoy the show, then let it go. Analyzing it, or questioning its reality, will not be useful. With continued meditation, you will naturally develop the quality of discernment - the ability to recognize what "rings true."
I just have a quick question: I was meditating today and my hands started rising, and it was like I didn't have control over my own body. It happened more than once. I was wondering why this might have happened and what it could mean?
When you meditate, there is an increased flow of your inner spiritual energy. As this energy moves through your body, it will sometimes create movement in various body parts - in your case, your hands. This, combined with the principle that meditation literally makes the cells of your body lighter - albeit very slightly - was the cause of your hands rising.
It's nothing to be concerned about. You will experience various phenomena as you continue to meditate, and it's best to simply take it all as it comes.
I just read your 8 Important Points about meditation and found it interesting. I write often about counselling and psychotherapy and was wondering if you think that meditation might go hand in hand with therapy.
If I was a therapist I would definitely recommend meditation for clients (when appropriate).
Btw, my cousin use to be the Rams PR person. :-)
Hello :)
i wanna ask when i meditate im able to relax myself focus on my breathing but cant visualize when listening to any guided meditation.....
like if audio is sayin to see a light ball or valley i can get a idea of what it is like......
but i dream a lot and also able to remeber my dreams so i dont thnk i cant visualize as i can see dreams very well....
but plz help me to develop visualizing skill when i am meditating so that i can get benefitted too :) how to enter dream zone during meditation :)
thank u so much !!
plz do reply
"Visualization" is a somewhat misleading term. When you are visualizing in meditation, it is not necessary to actually see the object or scene. Some do "see" and some do not. Getting "an idea of what it is like" as you described your experience, is just as effective. This is how many meditators visualize, and I encourage you to simply go with what comes naturally, rather then thinking that it is necessary to develop the ability to see.
When I first started meditating in the 70's, I was asking for a mantra intuitively. I heard the sound om knee pawn, phonetically. I couldn't find it's meaning & hesitate to use it. Is it ok to use this mantra? I currently lean towards mindfulness practice.
I'm guessing that what you heard was intended to be "Om Mani Padme Hum" - a widely used Tibetan mantra, which basically means "I am the jewel in the lotus." The jewel refers to your "essential self" or "true nature," and the lotus refers to your heart and/or the physical world. When repeated aloud, the words are often slurred together, causing it to sound quite a bit like what you heard.
Hi!
I have a great interest in transcendental meditation and I started to practice on my own. I readed about it and I choose the "shiring" mantra because of my age. I would like to know if this particular word is important. Can be any word without meaning? Because for what I readed the most important is the repetion of the word. If there´s a importance of the word, which is better for a 34 guy that is a beginner in TM. Thank you.
The mantra you chose is a good and effective mantra. And yes, it is important to use an actual mantra rather than any word or sound. The power of mantras come from both their meaning and vibration.
Btw, your mantra is pronounced more like "shring" than "shiring."
Dear Jim Malloy, I have three questions all together.
First is i have been doing meditation for a while and i am trying to concentrate in my third eye area. Today while meditating i got too much tickling and pulling sensation than before in that area. That pulling power i'm feeling is too much and even after coming out of meditative state for at least 10 minutes its there slowly decreasing and moving to normal. So, is it normal and can i continue with this? Why is it so?
Second question is during my meditation i can see images or some objects. I am very much sure i am not sleeping and dreaming because in some part of my mind i have the awareness that i am meditating and i am awake. But i am not sure to know whether these are my from sub conscious mind or these are those objects what people say that you will see in third eye (as i am doing third eye focusing...). Today i saw some faces which i have never met, suddenly some skull, some person sitting inside big hall, some one climbing a tree, small rose, a person standing somewhere where the roof is near his head etc.....So, what are these things really? Has my mind still wandering and imagining or am i doing something wrong?
Last question is all together my need of meditation is i need to know "Self" or "Who i am". I am not focused on anything else except this. This question is in my mind always and i started meditating. How and when can it be achieved? Or how to know am i meditating properly so that i can get my answer one day for this...
Please help. Thanks very much for your valuable time and helping us.
If your primary aim is to know your "Self," then I suggest you direct your attention to your heart chakra when you meditate. There, you will discover the calm, quiet, spacious awareness that is your true Self - the essence of your being. It is the peaceful, unchanging part of you that exists beyond your ever-changing body and mind.
The sensations you are experiencing in the area of your 6th chakra, are caused by too much of an increase in the flow of prana - aka chi - to that area. This is not really desirable, and is caused by concentrating too hard and/or too long on this area. If you switch to the above-mentioned meditation on the heart chakra, you will avoid this problem.
As for seeing images in meditation, this is normal and okay. When you are in an altered state, just about anything can pop into your mind. The dream-like images you are seeing, tend to happen when one is relaxed, and the attention has dipped into the subconscious level of the mind. However, they can, at times, be a "bleed-through" from the astral plane as well. Either way, it's best to just accept them, enjoy them for a moment if you wish, and then let them go. If any of them have a particular symbolic meaning for you, your intuition will let you know.
Dear Jim,Thanks for your last reply.(last question was mine those three questions).Sorry to bug u again. One more advise/guide please.
You suggested me to do heart Chakra meditation. I tried today in spite my focus (breathe) automatically settles down in third eye area only. Do you mean i am supposed to settle down my breathe in my heart region? Or how do i do heart chakra meditation to know my self? Kindly suggest. It would be better if we can avoid any mantra as i am not comfortable with mantra chanting.
One doubt : I have too much heating sensation in my head region after my last meditation 2 days back (issue that i reported to you regarding third eye in last query) and i was not doing meditation yesterday because of that. Anything i did wrong?
Thanks in advance!
In the meditation that I suggested, focussing on your heart chakra is not the goal - rather, your heart serves as a doorway to your Inner Self. This is because your Inner Self is "seated" in the heart chakra.
This method does involve a mantra, although it is not chanted but repeated mentally. You can use it or not. However, using it tends to make this meditation easier and more effective.
Here are the steps...
• Sit comfortably with your spine reasonably straight.
• Close your eyes and breathe naturally.
• Direct your attention to your body and mentally repeat, "I am not my body."
• Direct your attention to your emotions and mentally repeat, "I am not my emotions."
• Direct your attention to your mind and mentally repeat, "I am not my mind or my thoughts."
• When you have mentally "peeled away" these layers, what is left is your pure, inner awareness... your serene Inner Self.
• To help you stay centered in your Inner Self, mentally repeat the mantra, "I am" -- "I" as you inhale, "am" as you exhale.
• If you notice that your attention has wandered off completely, simply bring it back to your Inner Self and continue.
• Continue the meditation for 10 to 20 minutes.
Regarding the heating sensation in your head, as mentioned, this tends to occur as a result of using too much effort to focus on this chakra and/or focussing on it for too long.
I HAVE GOT SOME INDECISIVENESS REGARDING CHOICE OF MODUS OPERANDI IN MY CIVIL ENGINEERING CAREER OR PLACE TO STAY IN INDIA. HOW DO I OVERCOME THIS BY MEDITATION? HOW DO I HEAR MY INNER VOICE? I AM NOT ABLE TO DECIDE.PLEASE HELP
REGDS
Sometimes you can receive inner guidance on mundane matters through meditation - sometimes not. However, it is always good to ask. Here are some steps to follow:
1. Sit and close your eyes.
2. Ask for higher guidance on your situation.
3. Shift your attention from the noise of your analytical mind to your quiet heart chakra.
4. Listen with your "heart-mind."
5. Inner guidance may come in the form of thoughts, images, a "still small voice," or simply a quiet inner knowing.
6. If your guidance comes across as bossy, telling you that you "must" do this or that, it is not true guidance.
7. Sometimes guidance will not come during your meditation - although this is an important step. Rather, it will come sometime afterward, when you are simply going about your business and not trying so hard to find it.
DEAR SIR, I HAVE HEARD ONE CAN DO MEDITATION TO MANIFEST WHAT YOU WANT ? HOW DO I DO THAT??
Yes, there are ways to do this, but it is too large a topic to cover here. I suggest you read Deepak Chopra's "7 Spiritual Laws of Success" for complete info and instructions.
ftp://eteka.info/66000/282484d929a066b480f709a5fad189d9.pdf
Hi. Please could you tell me if it's ok to deliberately slow your breathing down while meditating, breathing deeper and slower, as I seem to be more relaxed and get better results this way. Thanks Adrian
Hi Adrian. Yes... as long as you are getting good results from doing this, it's fine.
Hello, I was meditating and images flashed to me, I seen a. Rabbit bouncing around, then a man with a top hat on, just his face looking towards the floor facing away from me and looks as if he was holding a stick, I do not understand what these mean, I also seen a woman and a little boy sitting on the floor in a corner in a dark room the woman was hugging the little boy both looked sad, could u please help me interpret what this could mean.
When you meditate, there is no limit to the various images that might pop into your mind. Like dreams, sometimes they have a meaning, and sometimes they are simply random images. I can tell you what their general symbolic meaning may be, but it would be up to you to discover if these images have any personal meaning or relevance for you.
• A rabbit bouncing around would symbolize energy and/or hyperactivity.
• A man with a top hat and a stick can symbolize a stage magician, an entertainer, or a person belonging to what people might refer to as "the upper class."
• The sad woman and boy would symbolize being nurtured and protected during hard times.
Dear JIM, After starting meditation i have seen myself many changes like increased calmness, forgiveness, more concentration, accepting things as it is etc...These are really good. Thanks for you guidance by answering my previous questions.
However when i close my eyes and start concentrating on my inner self, in my third eye i can't see anything. Always only one color.(orange color around a dark black color. When u stand in bright sunlight and close your eyes,we can see some reddish orange color right, that orange). Its like complete dark like night sky, wherein i can see in the center dark black color surrounded by bright orange. Nothing else.
I am now worried whether i am progressing in my way or am i just stagnant for several months. I know i am not this body or this mind. But how can i realize that? One more thing to add up, the pulling power in my third eye has decreased very recently like one week or so.
Kindly help! Thanks much!
If you are experiencing increased calm and forgiveness, plus more concentration and acceptance, then you are making good progress.
There is really nothing specific that you are "supposed to" see when focussing on your third eye. If you choose to use your 6th chakra as a focus for your meditation, it's important that you focus very gently, never try to force anything, and put aside all your expectations. Over time, your experience may shift in various ways.
However, if your aim is to realize that you are not your body or mind - that you are really your serene, unchanging Inner Self - then I suggest you direct your focus to your heart chakra, as this is where your Inner Self is "seated."
I am practicing mindfulness meditation. I can not stop
my mind meditating automatically. My mind will start meditating by itself when I do not want it to. When I am deep in thought about certain matters , the sentence 'just a thought' pops into my mind randomly and the thing that I was thinking about disappears. How can I stop my mind from meditating automatically without my permission?
Many would consider remaining in a meditative state a good thing - assuming you are able to carry out your day-to-day tasks in that state. However, you haven't described anything about this state, except that your mind continues the practice of noting your thoughts as "just thoughts."
If you would like to add a more complete description of your experience, in and out of meditation, I may be able to make some suggestions. If you do so, please include how much time per day you spend in sitting meditation.
I have read the power of now by Eckhart Tolle.
I am trying to become mindful all the time and live in the present now all the time.
I have been practicing mindfulness for the past 5 months. When I go for my walks I am looking at trees mindfully without thought or reduced thought. The trees look so beautiful.
When I look through the window at the sky, mindfully, it felt really good, looking at different cloud formations. I also look at the garden with nice grass and flowers.
For the first 4 months It was absolute bliss. I have never felt so peaceful in my life, free from thoughts or the increased space between each thought. I have experienced peace and quiet that I have never felt in my life.
But then my mind started to hurt every time I tried to engage in a deep feeling or thought and so I decided to cut back. But stopping is not easy. I have to carry on meditating some times of the day to stop in the pain in my head. Also I wanted to experience my deep emotions such as sadness. But every time I tried my mind starts to hurt.
Is it okay to practice mindfulness all the time? Such as the mindfully
. enjoying natures views and sounds through the window
. sitting there and enjoying the silence.
. listening to the sound of my mother washing the dishes or cooking
How long will it take for me to become mindful all the time and live in the present now all the time like Eckhart Tolle? And is this advisable for a beginner like me?
Do you recommend that I carry on meditating? even though my head starts to hurt if start thinking too deeply with deep emotion or if I live in the present now for too long with little thought, then my mind starts to hurt as well. So I am constantly switching between the thought and no thought world to stop the pain in my brain. Whatever my mind wants I allow it to go there.
Should I carry on meditating and finish off the process or should I stop meditating?
Also I am on medication for schizophrenia, is this having any effect?
How long should I do mindful meditation everyday?
The first 4 blissful months you experienced are often referred to as the "honeymoon period." For those who are fortunate enough to experience this, to whatever degree, the duration varies. But for nearly every meditator who does experience this period, it eventually ends.
When the honeymoon does end, it sometimes feels as though one has been slammed back down to Earth. But this is not the time to quit meditating, or to quit attempting to remain mindful in daily life. This blissful period presents one with a "taste" of what's possible to experience on a more permanent basis through meditation and mindfulness practice in daily life.
However, from your description of what you are now experiencing, I would strongly suggest the following:
1. Dial your effort level way down - both in meditation and in exercising moment-to-moment mindfulness. On a scale of 1 to 10, keep your effort level to around 5 or 6, max. Think of it as "relaxed effort."
2. If you are meditating for more than 20 minutes a day, reduce it to a maximum of 20 minutes daily.
3. Drink lots of pure water.
4. Go easy on yourself. You are not responsible for the honeymoon ending - it is a natural cycle that inevitably runs its course.
Are the drugs having any effect? I'm sure they are, but I am not an expert in this area, so a cannot say what exactly it is.
How long will it take until you become permanently mindful - perpetually in the present?
No one can say. But I can tell you that your own efforts can only take you so far. Your effort and practice are necessary, in that they prepare you for awakening.
But when you are truly prepared, it is a mysterious force which is beyond your own effort, that will ultimately shift your awareness into a permanent state of peace and being fully present in the moment .
So keep on keeping on... but take it easy.
Once I become awakened, will I have to continue to meditate and be mindful or can I stop forever?
Do Buddhist monks continue to meditate after becoming awakened?
There are different stages of awakening. In the earlier stages, continuing to meditate and make a little effort to remain centered in "the Self" - your true nature - are necessary.
However, there is a juncture in which the awakened state becomes your natural and permanent state. At that point, you can choose whether or not to enjoy the deeper absorption that occurs in meditation.
Hi I'm Kavitha, I've recently started meditating. For the first few weeks I used to see more of purple color while meditating. Now I dont get to see any colors but some images that isn't any clear at all. After meditation, I get headache and feel as though my nose is going to bleed. Besides this, I also feel as though my stomache is filled with acid. Why? Pls advice.
Hello Kavitha... In order to answer your question, I will need some more information. Please answer these questions:
1. How are you meditating? What is the basic procedure you follow?
2. How long are your meditation sessions? How many minutes per day do you meditate?
3. On a scale of 1 - 10 (10 = highest) how much effort are you making to focus when you meditate?
Hi, I listen to the kundalini awakening video on youtube. I love listening to this 'cos of the hymns and vedic chants which is abt 30mins. After this I meditate sometimes in the sitting and if tired in sleeping posture. Before I used to feel refreshed and felt as though I'm the universe. However as I kept my practice going, it slowly started giving me trouble. I get headache, feel as though my nose is going to bleed and now I also notice that I have too many veins on my wrists that have turned blue, before there used to be 1or2. I meditate in silence for abt 20mins per day after listening to the video. I am meditating and practicing mudras for the last 6 months
Hello Kavitha...
The Kundalini Awakening video has triggered the flow of too much Kundalini energy, and this, in turn, has triggered the release of too much stored up toxins from your system. If you want these uncomfortable symptoms to stop, it will be necessary to quit listening to the video.
Kundalini is a very powerful energy, and although it is a positive energy, it should never be purposely stimulated. Rather, it should be allowed to awaken and increase naturally and gradually, as a result of a moderate amount of "regular" meditation - about 20 minutes a day.
So if the method you are using for your 20 minutes of meditation is not specifically designed to awaken Kundalini, I suggest you stay with that after discontinuing the use of the video. The uncomfortable symptoms will subside - hopefully soon - although no one can tell you how long this will take.
Hi jim, thank u very much for ur early reply. Im fond of listening to vedic chants, mantras & hymns. It drifts me very easily into a very devosional state. Do u think its good for me to stop listening to them all? Few months ago, on my way to office, I was listening to a devotional song much like a vedic chant. All of a sudden, I could feel my head opening into a big hole and the sky trying to accomodate itself in that hole. I held my head tight. Couldn't even walk properly after getting down from the office cab. After that I have never heard that chant again. After this for few days I kept viewing some snakes and worms wriggling, that was illusion not real. It did scare me terribly.
Now with this video, again im suffering with a different type of a problem. I dont want to awaken anything, however im getting drifted away naturally very fast. Do u think I should stop listening to all that elevates my spiritual mind quickly. Im scared to stop as well. When I stop meditating I get very strong emotional ups and downs, I get very angry and so on. Im just unable to explain. I have suffered a lot.
Im thankful that I happened to come across ur site.
Yes, Kavitha... Stop listening to anything that might create these problems.
Maybe in a few months, you can try listening to some gentle devotional music to see if it is ok and does not create problems. But even at that time, do not listen to anything that is clearly intended to stimulate Kundalini or quickly elevate your consciousness.
As for meditation, I suggest you continue meditating once a day for short periods - 10 to 20 minutes - not more than 20 minutes daily Also, practice a gentle meditation such as Mindfulness, or a simple breath awareness meditation, and do not concentrate too hard. Make only a medium effort to focus. Here's a link to an easy Mindfulness Meditation video if you want to be guided into it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_xEGLueiLM
Take it easy. J.M.
[make a little effort to remain centered in "the Self" - your true nature - are necessary. ]
Please could you explain what you mean by the above and how I would go about it?
There are a variety of simple exercises you can do throughout the day to come back to your "Self" - that calm inner awareness which you experience in meditation. Here are a few:
1. Conscious breathing. Simply pay attention to your breathing from time to time. This has a natural centering effect.
2. Gently focus a little attention on your heart chakra. This also brings you into your calm center - and gets you out of your noisy mind.
3. Use a mantra to reconnect you with "the Self" - your spiritual essence. "I am," "I am That," "So hum," and "Om mani padme hum," are all good for this.
4. Be mindful - pay attention.
The methods are easy - the trick is remembering to use them.
Another bizarre problem has occured. When I do mindfulness,
it gets rid of fear and worry. It looks like my safety barrier is gone. This being the case, I have developed a strong urge to look at the sun, when I practice mindfulness being present moment to moment. I can not get rid of this urge, thought or feeling. It looks like my sense of danger is gone. When I stop practicing mindfulness, that urge is gone. Now I have to draw curtains, so I am not tempted to look at the sun. When I go for mindful walks (looking at the trees with reduced thought), I have to walk quickly past the sun shine and get into a shade, before I feel tempted to look up at the sun Or I have to be mindful in a room (such as looking at the sky with reduced thought) when the sun is not shining in that room. Wanting to look at the sun, is the only side effect, I've developed from practicing mindfulness. Is there anything I can do to get rid of this urge, thought and feeling when practicing mindfulness?
First, are you aware that practicing mindfulness essentially means paying attention to what is going on without judging it - just giving everything the space to be there?
In meditation, that means paying attention to your thoughts, emotions and physical sensations. Out of meditation, it means simply paying attention to whatever is going on around you - just being present with it. Nothing more.
With that said, here are some suggestions...
1. The mindful way to deal with this problem would be to accept the urge to look at the Sun without acting on it. That means no resistance - trying to fight the urge will only strengthen it. Simply acknowledge this urge, but do not look at the Sun.
2. Ask yourself, "Who is in charge here, me or my urges?" By taking command of the situation, you turn it into an opportunity to develop self mastery.
3. If you are meditating for more than 20 minutes a day, reduce your meditation time to 15 to 20 minutes - max.
4. You can try a meditation in which you "visualize" the Sun. Visualizing it inwardly is safe, and might satisfy whatever it is that is underlying this urge.
[But when you are truly prepared, it is a mysterious force which is beyond your own effort, that will ultimately shift your awareness into a permanent state of peace and being fully present in the moment .]
When I am fully present;
Will I be able to choose my thoughts?
Will I be able to choose to get emotional about certain thoughts if I wish to?
Will I be able to choose to experience grief if a loved one passes away?
Will I be able to be in noisy environments such as a factory?
Will I be able to study and concentrate and read books?
This video will give you a clearer idea of what it's like to be fully present.
Eckhart Tolle
This morning I thought I would do the 'focusing on the breath' meditation instead of 'looking at the sky meditation'. I did this for 15 minutes. After the breathing meditation, I felt very depressed and irritable. I am presuming because all my attention was focused inwardly instead of outwardly like the sky meditation. I have read that if certain meditations causes depressed feelings, then one should stop meditating. Is this true?
Should I carry on the breathing meditation despite the side effects or stick with the 'looking at the sky meditation'?
If you feel depressed after meditating, it is because the meditation has stirred up some deep emotional toxins to be cleared from your body-mind. This was most likely triggered by the breath awareness meditation because it is a bit more powerful than the sky-based meditation.
Emotional clearing is not a bad thing - it is actually quite valuable if it does not become too extreme. And the depression might pass after practicing this meditation a few times. This is something you cannot know unless you continue with it.
So you can either stay with the breath awareness meditation for a few more days to see what happens. Or you can discontinue it and return to your other practice. But if the depression persists after a week or more of the breathing practice, then I would definitely switch back to the other.
If you do continue with the breath awareness meditation, make sure you follow these guidelines:
1. Make only a medium effort to stay focussed.
2. Do not meditate for more than 20 minutes a day.
I am a bit confused. I thought the purpose of Mindfulness meditation was to be happy. Yet I was watching a youtube video and the buddhist teacher said acceptance of happiness. Why is this?
"Being happy" or "acceptance of happiness" - I don't see any real difference in the two.
One of the primary purposes of Mindfulness Meditation, is to shift your identity to your calm, inner awareness, whose nature is happiness.
If am feeling hungry and feel like having something to eat more than I need, should I get rid of the feelings of unnecessary hunger by using meditation? Is it a good idea to do away with the feelings of unnecessary hunger by using meditation?
If you are hungry, eat until you are full and then stop. But if you suspect that you are over-eating to fill an emotional void, or find some relief from negative emotions, then I suggest you deal with those emotions.
Meditation may resolve them, but this would most likely be very gradual. A more direct form of emotional healing would be quicker and more effective. Depending on your life circumstances and financial situation, I suggest you try one of these (or some other form of emotional healing):
psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, talking about it with a trusted friend, writing in a journal, or simply spending some time quietly reflecting, in order to gain deeper insight into the problem.
Why do some websites say that you should not enjoy your experiences while meditating?
This is based on an old, outworn misconception about the nature and purpose of meditation, and about the nature and purpose of life in the physical world.
When you meditate, enjoy it as much as possible.
Question:
I am new to meditation and had a surprising experience and hope you can help me to understand what happened. I was relaxed and focusing on breathing and I felt a strong and loving "presence" around me. It became clear how much I've been missing this presence and how much I love it (much like a child loves a parent). It felt like this presence was very wise and important. Needless to say, I was very surprised by this and very emotional. It was like being with someone again that I've missed deeply, only I never knew about this person or presence until this event happened. This has not happened again. Have you experienced anything like this or know of anyone else who may have had this kind of experience?
Yes, many people have had similar experiences. From your description, I would say that you experienced the presence of one of your spiritual guides (which at one time may have been a beloved relative or friend), or the presence of your inner guru.
Whichever it was, it was a beautiful and profound experience - a re-union, signifying that you have reached a point on your spiritual journey where you are ready to open to this... inspiring you to continue on your path... and letting you know that you are not alone - that you are being lovingly guided and cared for from the unseen realms.
Question regarding feeling drained after meditation
I am a new practitioner of meditation and have been doing violet flame meditation for 15 - 20 mins which I usually do at night before sleep. after I'm done I feel very drained, and the sleep that follows is a deep one but not rejuvenating, I wake up feeling very drained and heavy and like my body is in need of more rest. Please explain why this is happening? Is there something that I'm doing wrong. Thank you.
The violet flame meditation has a very powerful transformative effect. So if you are doing it at bedtime, the inner transformation is continuing while you sleep. Essentially, a part of your consciousness is still working while you are sleeping - processing and transmuting stored up dense and toxic energies.
If you want to continue this particular practice, I suggest you try doing it earlier in the day, and see if that makes a difference. This won't guarantee that the processing doesn't continue while you sleep, but it will make it less likely, or at least lessen its intensity, allowing your sleep to be more complete.
Feeling drained directly after your meditation, would indicate one of two things:
1. That your meditation is stirring up the above-mentioned transmutation process to such an intense level, that you are feeling drained from the the detoxification aspect of it, i.e. physical-emotional toxins being flushed out of your system.
2. You are working too hard - putting forth too much effort to focus. If you are making more than a medium effort, I suggest you dial it down a bit. You might also consider keeping your meditation to no more than 15 minutes.
I am a bit puzzled. If you are only suppose to meditate 20 minutes a day, how and why do people spend all day meditating at these 8 - 30 day meditation retreats?
People generally take intensive meditation courses to accelerate their spiritual progress, or to move more quickly through difficult issues they are experiencing. This raises the question, is more meditation actually better for accomplishing this? The answer is, "it depends."
For some individuals, an intensive retreat can be quite productive, and they leave feeling very clear, peaceful and recharged.
However, for others, an intensive period of meditation can be counter-productive, due to...
1. Raising one's energy vibration too quickly, to a level that they are not prepared to handle, and
2. Stirring up way more inner toxins than the individual can effectively process and release.
What determines the difference? There are many complex factors determining whether an individual is sufficiently prepared for an intensive or not. The most tangible of these are:
1. The state of ones nervous system and energy system - is it reasonably strong?
2. How physically grounded the person is.
3. How mentally and emotionally healthy one is.
Although this is not always easy to determine beforehand, one helpful criteria is the person's lifestyle. Do they regularly engage in activities like physical exercise, physical work, Yoga or Tai Chi, etc.? And is their overall lifestyle reasonably healthy - non-toxic?
For those considering doing an intensive retreat, I suggest you take into account factors such as this before signing up.
But whether or not a person does an occasional intensive, I have observed that, for most people, about 20 minutes a day produces, good, steady progress.
I have been meditating since my retirement now I am 60years old. The experience that I get while meditating is that when I reach the point going in the deep meditation I have to move my hand to stop itching sense that usually occurs near between chin and lips
The itching is mostly the result of a little bit of unconscious resistance to letting go completely, so that you can go more deeply within. This resistance - which can manifest in various forms - is fairly common until one has experienced letting go and diving deeply within enough times to know it is completely safe, as well as very pleasurable.
Here are a couple suggestions to help you get past this:
1. At the beginning of your meditation, assure your "subconscious self" that it is okay to let go - that it is completely safe.
2. Try to go through a few meditations without scratching your chin when the itching occurs (unless it becomes extremely uncomfortable).
3. Applying a bit of lotion to your chin might also be helpful.
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Dear Jim,
I have been doing meditation and very recently for the past 2-3 days i am experiencing some changes in my physical body.
1. Yesterday after meditation(focussing on third eye for about 15 mins), when i came out of my meditation room, i felt some dizziness or a feel like anesthesia for few mins(<5 mins). It was actually good and i felt some relaxation in that. Is that something to take care or what might have made this? But i felt personally that particular sitting was too effective to me.
2. In mid of yesterday i got so much lower back pain and felt some uneasiness in my whole body as if some change is happening inside. i was not able to sit in chair and i felt so much pleasure like orgasm. But after i came out for small walk and back into seat, i was normal.
3. Yesterday again in night when i tried for third eye meditation, first time i started hearing some sound (like buzz sound made by bee) which was highly noticeable for few seconds and when i tried to shift my focus on that, it slowly faded away and then i dint get it.
How do/should i focus on that sound? Will i hear that again? I feel lots of energy level changes in my body happening at extreme ends. Suddenly when going in public transport, i feel so energy less/taken away from me and sometimes i feel so much energetic in temple. Sometimes feeling so sad for no reason. I feel talking to myself too much even during meditation (but i want to avoid that at least while meditating).
Today morning again everything normal. no sound. no dizziness. Nothing.
Kindly assist me. Thanks much for your service and help to society.
Thanks again!
Hello...
The changes you are feeling are mostly caused by an increase in the flow of your inner spiritual energy - aka "Chi" or "Shakti." In time, this increased flow will become more natural, but during this gradual transition phase, experiencing phenomena like this is fairly common.
1. When you focus on your 3rd eye, the energy follows - goes where your attention is focussed, and tends to cause various feelings and sensations, such as those which you are describing. When focussing on this chakra, it is important to focus gently - never concentrate too hard or try to force anything to happen. And 15 minutes should be about the maximum amount of time.
2. The sensations in your lower back - the pain and the pleasure - were the result of your internal energy flowing to your 2nd chakra. The pain was caused by an obstruction of this energy, and the pleasurable sensations were the result of the energy removing the obstruction and being able to flow freely again.
3. See #1 - This was also the result of increased energy flowing to your 6th chakra. I don't suggest focussing on that buzzing sound.
As a result of your meditation, you are becoming more sensitive and empathic. This does make you more vulnerable to your energy being drained when you are around many people whose vibration is at a slower frequency. It also makes you more prone to experiencing/feeling their various emotions.
Because of this sensitivity, I suggest you try to spend time in more positive environments whenever possible. However, sometimes this is not possible. So when you are taking public transportation, and are in other public places, I suggest you visualize/imagine an egg-shaped shield of bright white light around yourself. Also, when you return home, try dowsing your aura with water, by flicking your fingers briskly through your energy field - or simply take a shower.
Hi Jim,
Thanks for the quick reply for my last question on lower back pain and energy draining out. I am really feeling much comfortable when i see your replies and getting more clear on my meditation process.
yesterday evening while meditating, i got to feel some heat flowing from my lower back to my heart chakra in my spinal. OMG...That much pleasure i felt throughout my body and i felt pleasure of orgasm throughout my body. I got afraid for no reason and suddenly made my self out of that state. So that heating sensation stopped with the heart chakra.
Now today morning when i tried, din't feel anything like that but very recently i feel too much energetic and happy for no reason. Of-course "Don't care" state is reached for almost anything. If this is something related to normal energy level raising as you mentioned previously let it be. If in case if this is something to deal with Kundalini energy as you have mentioned for few others in other questions, i don't want to stop that too.
Because, i din't do anything purposefully for it and it happens naturally. I have to learn to master it and use for some goodness for society.(I don't want to use it for any personal purpose). Kindly help me again. Is it possible or should i stop anything?
PS : For the past two nights i am getting dreams like someone(could not see any person/face just voice) teaching me sanskrit and yesterday you came in dream as if teaching me what is meditation and how is it related to nervous system. Crazy going i am....:-)
Thanks!
With Regards,
Karthik
Hello Karthik...
As long as your experiences are occurring naturally, then they are fine. Just let them come and go, enjoying them, without becoming attached to them.
The energy I referred to in my previous post as "Shakti" is one and the same as "Kundalini" - just another term for it. It is the energy which enlivens us, so it flows through all of us. But as I have said in other posts, it is very powerful and should be respected as such. If you follow a few common sense guidelines, there should be no reason to stop anything.
1. Do not make too much effort to focus - medium effort - relaxed effort - is best.
2. Never try to force anything to happen in meditation.
3. Keep your meditation time to a maximum of about 20 minutes a day.
4. If you begin to feel any discomfort that seems related to your meditation, e.g. feeling physically toxic, unusual emotional swings, extreme irritability or impatience, energy bottled up inside, etc., reduce your meditation time to about 15 minutes a day.
If, as you mentioned, you can find a way to channel this energy into something positive - something helpful - that would be ideal. It's also good to be getting some sort of physical exercise.
And no, you are not going crazy - you are simply taking night classes. :-)
Jim, you said that when I become fully present, that to remain focused on the self throughout the day by saying 'I am' is necessary. How long do I do the 'I am' meditation for, and how many times a day?
How exactly do I do the 'I am' meditation? Do I visualise myself?
This is an exercise that anyone can do at any stage on their path.
The mantra "I am" is used to put you in touch with the feeling - or "felt-sense" - that you are the silent awareness which is beyond your body, mind and emotions. This calm awareness is the core of your being - your spiritual essence.
So you do not visualize yourself - you experience your innermost self directly. However, don't worry about experiencing it clearly.
Whether doing it as a sitting meditation, or as "meditation in action," breath naturally while repeating "I" as you inhale, and "am" as you exhale. As you do this, simply make a relaxed effort to notice the quiet inner awareness that underlies everything else - the awareness which is conscious of all that is occurring.
I suggest doing this as a sitting meditation once a day for up to 20 minutes. Then, as you go about your daily activities, repeat the mantra and notice this quiet awareness whenever your mind is not fully engaged in other activities. (Best not to attempt it while driving or operating heavy machinery.) :-)
The exercise is easy to do. Remembering to do it during your daily activity is the tricky part.
What I do is visualise the letter "I" in my mind as I inhale, and as exhale visual the letter "am" as I exhale. Is that okay to do it this way?
No, that will not be helpful. Follow the simple steps as given, until you begin to experience your calm inner awareness - the part of you that is aware of everything - thoughts, body, external events, etc.
It is your silent "inner observer."
Hi Jim,
After couple of weeks from my last question, i have now reduced my meditation to once a day from previous two times. Now, i am doing it only in the morning for around 15-20 minutes.
Nowadays i am not able to notice any symptoms of energy movement or anything like that. Now, that 15 minutes i just see light orange colored light covering my full view of closed eye. Like early morning sunlight. Nothing else. no other experience. But mind is concentrated and not wandering over thoughts at-least for 10 mins.
I personally feel that my energy level is not raising above my second Chakra. How do i improve my energy levels for third and fourth chakra for the free flow of shakti...?
Thanks & regards,
Karthik
Hello Karthik...
It sounds like your meditation practice has gained more equilibrium, which is good. I suggest you put aside any concerns about which chakras your energy is flowing to. Shakti is an intelligent energy, and it is best to trust that she knows where to go at any given time.
However, with that said, it can be helpful to work with any "issues" related with your various chakras.
For example, since the 3rd chakra relates to our feeling of being safe in the world, it would be good to check to see if there are any fears or concerns in this regard. Is there any underlying anxiety, or feelings of powerlessness? If so, then there is some inner work to be done here.
For the heart chakra, it is always helpful to open to love as much as possible. If there is anything hindering this, then actions such as forgiveness and/or healing past emotional wounds are called for.
Continued light on your path, JM
I do 10 mins of walking meditation and then 10 minutes of breathing meditation
Should I do the 'I am' meditation in addition to these other meditations?
If you choose to make this meditation part of your practice, I suggest you do it for 10 minutes directly after your breathing meditation.
• Should I carry on being mindful without repeating the 'I am' mantra. Being mindful I mean when I eat food, have a shower, wash the dishes, do the hoover or look at the garden and look at nature when I go for a walk.
• Should I do a mudra with this 'I am' meditation as well? If so, which mudra should I do?
• What do you mean by drink lots of pure water? Do I drink this before the meditation or after the meditation? How much do I drink and how many times a day?
• Yes, continue to be mindful as much as you can throughout the day. It is not necessary to use the mantra - "I am" - with your mindfulness practice. However, if it helps you remain present and mindful, then use it.
• It is not necessary to use a specific mudra with this meditation. I suggest you hold your hands anyway that feels comfortable and natural.
• There are no specific guidelines regarding drinking "lots of water." You can drink it any time, and as much as you are comfortable drinking throughout the course of a day. Just be sure that it is pure water - bottled or pure spring water - rather than ordinary tap water.
Which breathing meditation do you recommend? The rising and the falling of the belly, or sensation of the breath through the nostrils?
I generally recommend simply paying attention to the overall breathing process - breath coming in, filling you, and going out. But if you find either of these other methods helpful, they are also good. Just do whatever feels most natural and seems most effective.
10 minutes of Walking meditation before 10 minutes of belly breathing meditation seems to get rid of depressed feelings which I get from only doing 10 minutes of the belly breathing meditation. (feeling the rising and falling of the belly). Could you explain to me why this is? I do get a high like feeling and a real buzz out of doing just 10 minutes of walking meditation. Then when I do 10 minutes of belly breathing meditation, it brings me back down to earth and I feel normal and calm again.
Movement has been found to alleviate depression, although it's generally the effect of more rigorous movement. However, if it's helping you, just stay with it.
Hi, recently I have been experiencing the sensation of falling while meditating. When this happens I am startled out of my meditative state. Do you know what this is and what I should do? Another thing that's happening is I start to see what looks like a tiny movie screen, I can't make out what's happening and when I focus on it it gets even smaller and goes away. How can I stop the screen from disappearing? Thank you in advance for any insight you may have.
Leslie
Hi Leslie...
The falling sensation you are experiencing is fairly common. It occurs when an inward "letting go" starts to happen, and you begin to slip into a deeper state of awareness and relaxation. Because this deeper state is unfamiliar terrain, and because there is a subconscious sense of letting go of control when the falling sensation occurs, the natural tendency is to be startled and/or to try and stop the falling.
Eventually however, you will bypass the falling sensation and spontaneously slip into this deeper state. And once you have, and discover that it is perfectly safe - as well as very enjoyable - it will become easier to let go into it whenever it occurs.
Regarding the miniature movie screen, it's best not to try to control it. At some point - if there is something on it you are meant to see - it may not slip away. But when it does disappear on you, I suggest you simply let it go.
Hi Jim,
Hope you are doing good. I think with your suggestions i am progressing good in my meditation. Very recently for the past 3 days i am facing one issue which i thought could be solved if i wait for 2-3 days but in vain. Please help. The issue is this.
When i meditate, now i can feel the energy flow in my body very clearly. After some time i am seeing very bright circle filled with bright light like sun in my closed eyes in center. Immediately i am getting attracted towards it and it becomes more brighter and brighter to an extend that i am not able to focus. What happens is the more its attracting me the more i am moving to some other level. Means like i am seeing bright1 for example first and after getting attracted more and focusing more i am moving to more brighter say bright2 like that....More deeper and deeper. After some time may be 30 sec to a min or so involuntarily my left eye tries to open whereas my right eye is closed.
May be i am not good enough to explain but i hope you got my issue. I wanted to go much deeper and deeper as i feel the bright light is very close to me however i don't know what it is. But some inner feeling says its very close to me. But my left eye getting opened and i am coming out of my full meditation.
This is really blocking me.Kindly suggest me with your inputs on what is happening and how do i come out of this? Thanks much!
With Regards,
Karthik
Hello Karthik...
Your eye opening is being caused by one of two things.
1. There is a part of you that is resisting going deeper into the light.
2. You are not prepared to go deeper at this time.
Before your meditation, I suggest you tell yourself - your subconscious mind - that it is okay and safe to go deeper into the light. Then make just a little more effort to keep your eye closed. If there is no change, try the same simple procedure a couple more times.
If there is still no change after 3 tries, then I suggest you accept that it is not in accord with "highest wisdom" for you to go any deeper at this time, let it go, and enjoy whatever you do experience.
Hi Jim,
I was not able to close my eyes after few more tries also. I did not want to force is as you mentioned "is might not be in accord with higher wisdom at this time". however i came out of that through different try.
I tried changing my timings from morning 9 to early morning 6.30. I am not getting that bright light too much as before (but still can see that) and i moved my focus from third eye to heart. Now i have couple of things.
First is i am getting lots and lots of dreams/images during meditation nowadays and all mean something which i cannot derive the exact meaning. How can i interpret those meanings? For example yesterday i got a dream wherein a person has been worshiped by many and i am going to that place for worshiping him. Later when i go to the same place in dream, i see a snake which was laying down and when i go near trying to raise its head to attack.
Secondly my autopilot(mind voice and not inner voice) is speaking too much during meditation. When i try to go much deeper in meditation into subconscious thoughts this guy will start talking to me and trying to take me outside of my meditative state. how to avoid it?
Many Thanks!
Hello Karthik...
To interpret your dreams, I suggest you combine your intuition with the knowledge of universal dream symbolism. The latter can be found in books and on various websites.
Take one symbol from the dream, look up the meaning, and then reflect a bit on it to see what your intuition tells you about its personal significance to you. Do this with each individual symbol.
As you proceed, you will find the individual pieces coming together like a puzzle, to form a complete picture of what your dream is telling you.
When your "mind's voice" becomes more active than usual in your meditation, it will not be helpful to try and resist it or subdue it. Better to simply accept it, giving it plenty of space to chatter on, while you make a "medium effort" to stay focussed on your primary object of focus - breath, mantra, or whatever. Whenever you notice your attention has drifted off into your thoughts, gently bring it back to the object of focus.
Also, rather than trying to go deeper into your subconscious thoughts, I suggest you simply direct your attention to your object of focus, and let the depth occur spontaneously and naturally.
Hi Jim,
Sorry for disturbing you with more questions. Since personally i don't go for any classes and i am learning on my own i am asking all my doubts to you and you are really helping me much with progress.
Well, as mentioned in last few comments i was struck with the bright light and could not proceed further.Now whenever i start meditating(sometimes when closing eyes normally) automatically i am seeing the bright light and i am forced to focus on that irrespective of trying to change my focus in vain. I am not able to proceed further and i am struck with this for almost 2-3 weeks now.
Yesterday after focusing that bright sun like light for say 15-30 seconds i felt like my leg is not on the ground and i felt very light of my whole body and suddenly some heat in my body. Ultimately within few seconds i started to feel vomiting sensation and again my eyes opened automatically. After its opened that sensation went down.
I don't want to focus it, but i am forced to whenever i meditate. And i don't know whats there in my sub conscious mind. I am waking up in middle of sleep at 2.20 AM and immediately my mind starts asking me why am i sleeping wasting my time like this even after knowing i am not this body....I feel like i am inside cage and this body is not me and i want to know myself(self)....
Please help....i don't want to build up stress within me or is this normal behavior after some practice of meditation and nothing to worry?
Thanks Jim!
Hello Karthik...
Quit meditating for 5 days. After 5 days, you can begin again. Start with gently focussing on your breathing for only 15 minutes. Make only 50% effort to focus.
If the light appears and your attention goes to it, simply bring it back to your breathing.
Do not listen to the voice in your head guilt tripping you about sleeping. Everyone needs sufficient sleep.
Check in with me again in about a week.
Hi Jim,
I followed same like you said. Quitted meditation for 10 days. Today started for 10 minutes with less focus. Light did not appear and i did not go deep as well. It worked! Hoping won't get the issue again. Let us see....Thanks much Jim for the correct advice on time.
How long should i continue for less focus and when can i go deep focus again?
With Regards,
Karthik
Hi Karthik...
That's very good. I suggest you continue like this - focussing with medium effort - indefinitely. Allow the deeper states to happen naturally. This is better than meditating with the notion that you are controlling the depth with your personal effort.
After a couple weeks, you can increase your meditation time to 15 - 20 minutes, if you choose.
Thank you for this information Jim. I have been meditating for a number of years using meditation music like the ones found on (ad deleted) :-) that are supposed to help me get into state. Is this as powerful as normal meditation and will I receive the same benefit if I use meditation music as opposed to using sensory deprivation?
First, it is important to understand that "normal meditation" does not involve sensory deprivation. Sometimes when meditating, the senses are heightened, and sometimes the attention goes deep within oneself and transcends the senses, and sometimes the sensory experience in meditation is fairly normal.
Because the power and depth of meditation depends on many factors, and varies from session to session based on these factors, and because each individual is unique, it is not really possible to draw a comparison and say which method is more powerful, or exactly what the specific results from each method will be.
Hey there! I realize this is somewhat off-topic however, I had to ask. Does running a well-established blog such as yours take a lot of work?
I am brand new to running a blog, however I do write in my journal everyday.
I'd like to start a blog so I can easily share my own experience and feelings online.
Please let me know if you have any kind of recommendations or tips for new
aspiring blog owners. Thank you!
my blog post ... diy home improvement
This blog doesn't require much work. But it's a little different, in that it's all questions and answers, so I'm not creating new material from nothing on a regular basis.
If you're starting a blog, my advice would be to write on what you are most passionate about - overall and day to day. When there's passion, it doesn't feel like work.
First of all I want to ѕay supеrb blog! I Һad a quiϲk question in which I'd like to ask if you ԁo not mind. I ԝas curious to know how you center yourself and clear your mind bеfore writing.
I have had a hard time ϲlearing my mind in getting my ideaѕ out thеre. I do tаke pleasure in writing but it just seems liҡe the first 10 - 15 minutes аre generally lοst just trying to figure out how to bеgіn. Any recommendations or hints? Thanks!
I don't really clear my head before I begin. But if I am answering a question on meditation or spirituality, I do ask for guidance on the matter before I start. Then I just write. Best of luck.
Hello Jim,
I have tried "inviting higher guidance" meditation written in the lecture hall many times, but i can't imagine loving, wise being reach to me. I can only visualize tiny light far away from me. What should I do? Thank you.
The imagery is not really important. Your aim is to receive guidance - either for a specific issue, or in a general way. Therefore, I suggest you go with whatever imagery comes most easily, and then simply be receptive to whatever guidance might come to you.
When meditating for guidance, remember this info from the lecture:
"You may receive an answer immediately, or after a short time. Your Higher Self may give you an answer in the form of words, symbols, pictures, or just a deep knowing. The answer may be very specific, or it may come in the form of a higher truth, which sheds enough light on the situation to help you choose wisely. If you don't receive an answer while you are sitting, it's ok. You have still begun the guidance process, and that's important. Once you have begun the process, your guidance will most likely find you at a moment when you are not trying to find it."
Hi Jim,
I've been a practitioner of mindfulness (mostly sitting) meditation for over 3.5 years now with varying consistency over that time frame. Throughout this time, I've gained a fair deal of self awareness-- but can't say that I've been able to control the stress response-- and often lived in hope of one day achieving at least a degree of inner-peace.
More recently, I read the book "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle. I began to practice being present moment by moment by following my breath as often as possible throughout each day-- as opposed to just during my sitting meditation.
The result: I finally feel freedom. I realized that sitting meditation without practicing mindfulness throughout the day gave me little to no control over my mind; thus, no peace.
I've decided to strictly focus on being present moment to moment by following my breath literally as often as I can throughout my day (ie. while driving, in class, showering ETC), and completely cut out my daily sitting meditation-- a controlled experiment. In other words, I'm meditating on the breath with my eyes open throughout my entire day (during my usual activities), and have discontinued my closed eye (sitting) meditation, for now.
In the past, I've done a couple mindfulness retreats (only a half day long), and have experienced some very overwhelming "over-meditation" symptoms. Even during shorter meditations, I often would feel negative states transpire during or after sitting meditation-- and sometimes I'd feel good.
I'm really curious why focusing on my breath with eyes open throughout my daily activities (many hours per day!) brings me such a deep peace which I've never experienced before, without ANY overwhelm (over-meditation symptoms), while sitting meditation with eyes closed can be easily overdone and put me into a state of crisis.
I've decided to continue with this self experiment, and will obviously add the sitting meditation back in soon enough-- but I really want to understand what is going on here. The effect is extremely profound, and I am very grateful to finally have control over my mind!!
My theory is that the moment to moment presence is essential to "working through" what comes up during sitting meditation, without the prolonged suffering-- the key to surrendering and dropping the resistance? I haven't yet added the sitting meditation into my daily routine since I began the new moment to moment practice I've described.
I'd love to hear your input on my recent thoughts and experiences.
Thank you so much for your valuable input and wisdom-- what you do is amazing.
Hi Ziggy... The practice of "meditation in action" is extremely valuble, and I'm pleased to hear about your good results.
The reason that meditating while sitting with your eyes closed can produce the symptoms you experienced, is that it taps into more powerful transformative energies than does non-sitting meditation. These energies clear away a good deal of stored up physical, emotional and psychic toxins, and this detoxification can result in various forms of discomfort. The detoxification tends to become especially noticeable when one does longer meditation sessions.
So the upside is the valuable cleansing of body and mind, whereas the downside is the detox discomfort.
If you are feeling good and at peace with your moment-to-moment mindfulness practice, I suggest you hold off for awhile before resuming your sitting meditation. When it becomes time to resume that facet of your practice, you will intuitively know.
My ego is gone and is no more.
That emotional me is no more. It has been replaced with a happy feeling.
I have been meditating regularly for a long time now and now I am on the uncalm stage. To get rid of this uncalm feeling I have to do the 'I AM' meditation 20 minutes a day and sometimes even 30 minutes and also do traditional hatha yoga.
I have felt uncalm for a couple of months now and wonder how long before enlightenment?
Also I have begun smelling smells that are not there. Is this common in meditation?
On my 1 hour walks, I can smell perfume when nobody is about, male aftershave when somebody passes me by, strange unknown exotic smells, diesel fumes even when there are no cars there. Also I have begun to feel ill and nauseous I think as a result of these smells. These smells only seem to happen when I go for my 1 hour walk outside. Inside the house, there are no smells or in any other outside venues such as shopping malls or temples. I am totally puzzled. Is this part of my spiritual awakening?
I have never had this problem of smelling things that are not there before in my whole lifetime.
Will these 'smelling problems' where by I smell things that are not there, be gone after enlightenment?
Are there any treatments for this problem or do I have ride it out? How long will this problem last for?
Another strange incident occurred, I went past this awful toxic smell on one of my walks. On my way back in exactly same spot, the same smell was there. As I went past it, my head started to hurt slightly. When I went home I was in this blissful state of no thought for 3 or 4 hours. My head hurt on and off for 3 or 4 days. It was a slight headache but my mind for them days felt more in the present moment. I had far less thoughts then I had before. It felt really good despite the headaches. Now either somebody was playing a prank and sprayed some LSD like substance in the air or I'm going mad, or this is part of my spiritual transformation or awakening?
What do you think Jim?
Smelling things like you are describing is not a typical effect of meditation. However, meditation can indeed heighten certain senses in certain individuals. For some, the sense of hearing may become heightened. For others the sense of sight may become more acute. For you, it happens to be the sense of smell.
The things you are smelling may be physically present, but so subtle, that only you can perceive them. And at times, you may be tuning into smells on a higher plane - the astral plane.
Although this may be a source of discomfort or annoyance, I would not consider it a major problem. It may or may not pass on its own, but I suggest you try to view your heightened olfactory sense as a small indication of your growth and transformation.
No one can tell you how long these strange smells will last, or if they will subside when you reach a more enlightened state. There may be a practitioner available - a homeopathist or other alternative healer - who can recommend something to alleviate this.
And as for enlightenment, no one can tell you when that will occur. If everything goes harmoniously, it will occur when you are fully prepared and not before.
Meanwhile, I suggest you enjoy the inner happiness you have been feeling, and the deeper meditation experiences you are having.
Why does my mind hurt when I think of God?
When I say there is no God, I feel better and my mind does not hurt. Why is this?
Is this the reasons why Buddhists don't believe in God?
Is it because I become very emotional when I think of God?
Or is God somehow connected to my ego, which is now gone?
Can enlightened people pray to God?
If your mind hurts when you think of God, it's a sign that it is time for you to re-assess your concepts and beliefs about that limitless consciousness we call "God."
It is not my place to tell you what to believe, but here are some guidelines to help you get started:
• Question all the beliefs you were taught by religion and family when you were growing up.
• Scrutinize any belief which holds that God is judging you or expects something from you.
• Throw out any belief which contradicts the reality that God is unconditionally loving.
324What I meant, is that my mind never use to hurt when I use to believe in God before the meditation. Now it does. So in order for my mind to stop hurting, I have to believe he does not exist. So is the meditation doing this? If so, how?
After enlightenment, will I be okay to believe in God again?
As you meditate, you evolve, and as you evolve, your beliefs must evolve too. If your thoughts of God are causing you pain, it indicates that you have outgrown (are evolving beyond) your old beliefs in the Universal Consciousness known as God.
This is why I say, it is time for you to re-think your concept of God. That does not mean to reject the entire idea of a Higher Intelligence. Rather, it means to bring your old beliefs more in line with your current stage of evolution.
This is not uncommon, although most people do not describe it as their "mind hurting." Many individuals are evolving beyond their old God beliefs. Consequently, it's time for a conceptual upgrade.
Also, I suggest you try not to concern yourself with what will happen after you become enlightened, and remain focussed on the present stage of your journey.
What happens if I become ill or sick for a long time when feeling uncalm before enlightenment and I can not do meditation or yoga ?
What happens if I suffer a long term injury and I am in pain, and I can not think or feel nothing besides the pain, will this affect my meditation or yoga?
What happens if the injury prevents me from doing meditation or yoga long term?
I suggest you make it a focus of your spiritual practice to observe your mind, watching how it creates all these "what ifs."
They are only projections of your mind with no rational basis. Your mind thinks it is helping and protecting you by creating these thoughts, but it is only causing distress. The more you come to understand this, the less power these fear-based thoughts will have over you.
This was a one off day. I did 30 minutes of I am meditation to feel calm. I still did not feel calm after doing this. So I did another 10 minutes. After these 10 minutes I still did not feel calm. After these 10 minutes were up I could not do anymore meditation because my mind started to hurt which is normally a sign to stop meditating. I was totally puzzled to why I was not feeling calm. So I decided that I would mop the floor to see if that would get rid of my uncalm feeling. And that did the trick. I was mopping the floor normally without meditation. The following day I could only meditate for several minutes and the day after several minutes again.
On tuesday 2nd december 2014, I only did 16 minutes. During those days I did not have to do yoga to relax because I felt very relaxed already.
It looks like that one time 40 minutes of meditation affected my routine. I wonder could you shed some light on what actually happened here?
Meditation clears away physical and emotional toxins from our body-mind. That includes the residual energy of deep seated fears, past trauma, etc.
This is a good thing. But when you meditate too much, it tends to trigger too much detoxification, which can manifest in the form of exaggerated emotions, such as worry, irritability, etc. Therefore, it's best to keep your meditation time to a level which allows the detox process to proceed at a comfortable pace.
Jim,
Can you speak on the effects of music on the mind? It seems like the extreme stimuli from listening to music for extended periods of time must have an effect on an individuals ability to stay mindful throughout the rest of their day..
Thank you!!
In regards to staying mindful, it would partly depend on what sort of music it is, as well as on how it was being used.
If it is being used to tune out a person's thoughts and surroundings, then yes... it would tend to have the opposite effect of being mindful - being present with what is.
And if the music is indeed extremely loud and stimulating, then this quite likely would negatively effect ones efforts to stay mindful.
However, if it is simply being used as background music, and is relatively peaceful, then it shouldn't have too much of an effect on this.
How come some people say 'they held off enlightenment and wanted to stay here on earth.'?
Towards the end will I have this choice, of being enlightened or not?
The Bodhisattva vows to remain within this sphere after attaining enlightenment, in order to help all beings awaken spiritually. They do not put off enlightenment - they just do not move on to other spheres, opting to remain here to serve humanity.
At some point, you may have this choice, even if you do not take the Bodhisattva vows. If so, at that time you will have what is necessary to choose wisely.
This is very bizarre. When I try to work the uncalm feeling comes up making it impossible for me to work. This has happened on many days now in the past week.
Why do I feel uncalm when I try to work?
I don't really know. Maybe you'd rather not be working. :-)
I am at the uncalm stage of the meditation, and I have been feeling uncalm for 4 months now.
Enlightenment seems to be taking forever.
If my ego is gone, then why did start crying and get emotional over a sad story on the tv?
I have also begun to get angry again. I never use to get angry when I started the meditation.
Even several months into the meditation, I found it impossible to get angry or to get emotional because of themeditation.
So why am I getting emotional and angry now?
I thought meditation was suppose to stop me getting angry or emotional.
Meditation practice and the spiritual journey go through many stages. "Uncalm" stages are not uncommon. Sometimes they are brief - hours or days - sometimes longer - weeks or months.
It's important to understand that these stages of mental and emotional turbulence are generally the result of a large amount of internal cleansing - physical-emotional-mental detoxification.
It's also important to understand that this is a necessary and valuable part of the awakening process.
Although it is a natural tendency to want to think we are close to reaching a goal, in regards to your spiritual path, it's best to put aside those thoughts. Forget about reaching enlightenment and transcending your ego, continue with your spiritual practice, accept your humanness, and trust that your journey is moving forward in accord with divine timing.
Jim,
At some point in one's journey, the detox process that come from daily practice must slow down, correct?
I'm a few years into my meditation practice- and am curious of how this works, or if there's some kind of map that's been drawn out..
Thank you!!!
Unfortunately, the detox process follows no set pattern. Therefore, it's impossible to map out or predict. It waxes and wanes throughout the spiritual journey. Toward the end of the journey, it may decrease, or it may spike. It all depends on each individual's unique needs.
The important thing is to accept it, understand its value, and do what you can to facilitate the process. That primarily involves remaining on track with your meditation practice.
But it can also include things like increasing your water intake, incorporating some yoga or other exercises, getting sufficient rest, and following your body's wisdom, regarding what you put into it.
Do you recommend meditation for people with schizophrenia?
The schizophrenia, I am talking about is for people that hear voices. This is because I know a relative who has schizophrenia and I am not sure if I should recommend meditation to him.
No, I would not recommend meditation for people with schizophrenia.
Can hypnosis be used on enlightened people?
Hypnosis is essentially for creating change on some level of a person's life, so it would not really be necessary.
Would it alter an enlightened person's consciousness in some way? Maybe a little bit.
Way after enlightenment, which meditation do I have to do?
The 'I am' meditation or just the normal breathing meditation?
I suggest you refrain from concerns about what you will do after enlightenment, and focus on your present path - one step at a time.
Puzzled, confused feeling
My ego has been gone for a couple of months now. Recently in the past week, my mind has started to feel confused and puzzled as if it's searching for an ego that is not there. It is not a pleasant feeling.
It is as if my mind is asking, where is the ego gone? Where are you? Will this puzzled, confused feeling pass with time? If so, how long?
I'm sorry to be the one to break it to you, but it is your ego-mind that is experiencing the confusion and asking the question.
The confusion will pass, and ultimately - when your ego has truly completed its mission - you will see through the illusion of individuality and separateness. For now, however, I suggest you continue on your journey with the trust that all things happen with perfect divine timing.
Why i am feeling tired and sleepy as if i did n't slept last night ,after doing a meditation of 10 minutes.off course before meditation i used to do some yoga and pranayama for 10 to 15 minutes and also i sit as much as straight i can. but still i m getting tired and sleepy after 10 minutes of meditation.could u please explain me why this happens?
• If you are getting tired only while you are meditating:
The meditation is bringing up some very deep exhaustion stored in your body-mind. It will pass, but if possible, let yourself have a short nap after 10 minutes of meditation.
• If you are feeing tired during the day as a result of meditation:
Usually when this occurs, it is because the meditation has triggered some detoxification - the cleansing of physical, emotional and mental toxins from the system. This cleansing is extremely valuable and will pass, but it can give rise to a bit of tiredness while it is occurring.
Another cause can be that your subconscious mind is processing some issues while you are sleeping. This is also valuabe and will pass, but it can keep your sleep from being deep enough to get sufficient rest.
Whether it is one or both of these reasons, if you are meditating for only 10 minutes a day, the tiredness should pass soon. If you are meditating longer, I suggest you cut back to 10 - 15 minutes.
Jim,
I'm curious-- what's your opinion on TM? Many seem to try to make it out to be superior to other forms of meditation.. Is there any truth to this. I've practiced mindfulness for some time now..
TM is a very effective technique. However, in my opinion, no meditation technique is really "superior" to any other technique - just different.
What is your opinion on psychedelics? There's some research going on at John Hopkins with meditation + psilocybin..
The study should shed light on the idea that psychedelics may expedite the process of attaining various degrees of enlightenment (measured through neurophysiological parameters).
Anecdotally, it appears that psychedelics do speed up the process.
My thoughts:
Considering that the brain of an enlightened human looks similar to that of someone experiencing a legitimate mystical experience through psychedelic use, when viewing fMRI scans; I believe that neuroplasticity would be the mechanism, explaining why this may be true (if it is).
I know that many practitioners of various traditions aren't even willing to speak about the topic. But, I take a dogma free approach... Would love to hear your thoughts.
Here are a few of my thoughts on this:
• Psychedelics have their up-sides and down-sides.
-- The upsides, being the potential to open an individual to various states of higher consciousness, and the ability to help a person break free from overly-limiting mind-sets.
-- The downside: Opening an individual's awareness too much and too quickly.
This mainly involves - but is not limited too - the person's energy system (chakras, etc.) and nervous system. The effects of this can include disorientation; unreliable perceptions and interpretations of reality; over-sensitivity to energies in ones surroundings; chakras, endocrine system, and nervous system thrown out of balance.
• Although the brain may reflect states of enlightenment to some degree, permanent states of enlightenment transcend the brain, i.e. are not dependent on it, and hence, cannot be accurately measured by the brain's activity or changes.
• I'll wait until the Johns Hopkins studies are conclusive before commenting on them.
Hello Jim,
I have a question about using incense. What type of incense would you recommend to be used to enhance a calming influence?
Thanks,
Theodore
Hi Theodore...
Most of the "standard" scents have a calming influence - Sandlewood, Jasmine, Nag Champa, and Frankincense. Here in Mexico, Copal is widely used. It's probably available some places outside of Mexico as well.
The important thing is to find some that's reasonably pure. I'm sure there are exceptions, but you're more likely to find the pure stuff in a new age store than on the supermarket shelf. :-)
Why does my mind hurt every time I try to change my thoughts?
In the past several weeks, I just have to let my mind just think it's thoughts.
If your mind hurts, it indicates: 1. that you are making too much effort to do this, and 2. that it is better to simply give your thoughts the space to be there, as they are.
I speaking to somebody about meditation. He told me that there is no such thing as enlightenment. He said that he goes to meditation groups and nobody in there talks about being enlightened. He said there was a guy in there who has been meditating for 5 years and is yet to get enlightened. What do you make of this conversation?
I can tell you that there is indeed a state of consciousness in which a person is always centered in the peace, light, freedom and happiness of their true spiritual nature. This state of consciousness has been called "enlightenment," as well as other names.
There are various degrees - or levels - of enlightenment, and I have had the good fortune to spend time with many individuals who have attained the highest levels of this state.
In regards to 5 years of meditation - for most individuals, this is not nearly enough time to reach this state of awareness.
The meditation has done something to my mind so that I can't believe in God. I just believe in the present now. If I don't believe in God, why do I keep on mentioning his name? Why do I hold the bible in my hand to feel reassured when I am anxious? Boy, am I confused.
It's time for you to re-examine your concept of God, and bring it up to speed with your current state of awareness. This will require tossing out all your outworn notions about that Universal Consciousness we call "God."
Is it possible for enlightened people to become violent? I just read an article in the news that this has happened. Please visit the link below. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22356306
One who is truly enlightened will not become violent. They may use force if it is absolutely necessary, but that is not the same as violence.
Just because someone is a Buddhist monk does not mean that they have reached a state of enlightenment. I read that article, and these are not enlightened individuals, but simply members of a violent cult which provides an outlet for their own anger and violent tendencies.
What do you mean by different levels of enlightenment? I thought there was only one level.
Although the term "enlightenment" can be applied to any permanent state of higher consciousness, there are different levels individuals experience as they continue to evolve spiritually. These levels cannot be articulated precisely, because there are various gradations, and they tend to overlap. However, here is a general description of the major stages:
1. Being established in the unwavering peace of our Inner Self - the silent, unchanging inner awareness that is the ground of our being.
2. Being united with and embodying our Higher Self - the unseen dimension of our being that dwells on a higher plane of reality, and is always aware that we are part of the infinite Universal Consciousness.
3. Transcending the illusion of individuality completely, and perpetually experiencing our oneness with the boundless Universal Consciousness.
Jim, you said it takes 5 years for most people to get enlightened. I read somewhere on the internet it only takes 2 years. Is this true? Also what is the shortest time that someone has become enlightened?
It seems that you seriously misread what I said a few comments back. What I said was:
"In regards to 5 years of meditation - for most individuals, this is not nearly enough time to reach this state of awareness.
You simply cannot put a time-frame on this process, which differs for everyone. However, it is safe to say that for the vast majority of individuals, 5 years really is not enough time to reach a state of enlightenment.
I have noticed at this stage of meditation, that God is connected with the ego. If I have no ego then I can not believe in God. Before the meditation sometimes I use to hate myself and get angry and sorrowful with God when I thought about the suffering in the world. So the ego and God are one and closely connected. Now that my ego is nearly gone, I don't feel this self loathing and anger towards God anymore. I just have a happy feeling and no thoughts there.
Surely it's better thinking nothing then thinking the old way? What do you think?
If you feel happier and less angry, then it's fine.
However, your new thinking has nothing to do with the actual Universal Consciousness often referred to as "God" - only your mind's erroneous concept of God.
I was just thinking, it would be good idea if people were taught about the 'I AM' mantra meditation when they first start meditation. Because they would be in big trouble, if they did not know how to do this meditation and they were meditating for a long time. What do you think Jim?
I believe it's an excellent meditation which easily brings people back to the deep peace of their Core Self. And since you bring it up, the mp3 is available here... :-)
Meditation on Your Inner Self
Hello,
Does having encounters with negative people, which tend to make us feel stressed, have a bad impact on our meditation?
Do they hinder our progress, or rather give an opportunity to test ourselves?
Thanks in advance.
It shouldn't be a problem. Part of the purpose of meditation is to relieve us from this sort of stress.
As for hinderance or opportunity... I suggest you go with "opportunity." Negative people provide us with a great opportunity to test our compassion, our patience, and how anchored we are in our calm center.
I really miss my ego mind. I quite liked having fluid thoughts, and getting lost with them and enjoyed my mind chasing after these thoughts. Sometimes, when the thoughts are not there, it really feels horrible. Will, my mind get use to this state of little thought or will I miss my ego self? Jim what is your experience? After all these years of meditation, do you miss your ego self before the meditation? Have you spoken to other meditators who have told you that they have missed their ego self before the meditation?
I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but
1. you are mistakenly equating having less thoughts with having no ego-mind, and
2. if you have these concerns, and if there is still a sense of "I" to miss things and feel horrible, then you still have an ego.
You may have been taught that getting rid of the ego is synonymous with spiritual awakening. There is a grain of truth to this. However, transcending the ego is not a goal, but a byproduct of spiritual awakening.
The ego is a necessary part of our lives, and will be a part of us until we have truly reached a state of awareness where it is no longer needed.
What is the ego's purpose? Its main purpose is to provide us with a temporary identity, and to help us navigate the physical world.
But when we have gradually expanded our identity to embrace our oneness with Universal Consciousness, and the Cosmic Intelligence is totally in the driver's seat, the ego's mission will be completed, and it will fall away naturally like a ripe fruit falls from a tree.
Jim,
Can you speak a bit on the effect of ingesting animals on our consciousness? From my understanding, the fearful energy of the animals affect our consciousness when ingested.
Thank you for doing what you do.
Best regards,
Z
Hello Z... Yes, I have heard this, and agree that there is some truth to it. Everything we ingest has a subtle effect on our consciousness, and when eating meat from an animal that was experiencing fear and pain, some of that is absorbed - both on a vibrational level, and through the adrenalin that remains in the animal's blood.
How would this affect us? It's not possible to know the exact effect or the degree to which it affects us. But I can say that at least in some small way, it's likely to add to whatever fear or fearful tendencies already exist an individual's psyche and emotional body.
So if you are considering a vegetarian diet, this is a relevant thing to factor in.
However, if you eat meat, intend to continue doing so, and are concerned about this, you might consider trying kosher meat. Even though it is still killing animals, I've heard that kosher meat producers do take some of this into account. For example, they drain the animal's blood, and also have strict rules about the method used to kill the animal.
Once I am enlightened will meditation get rid of my sex drive so that I do not desire women anymore?
Depending on various factors, your sex drive may or may not decrease. Among those factors is how much Shakti (aka Chi) is flowing though your body, and how much of it is flowing to your 2nd chakra.
But even if you still have a sex drive, a large part of the enlightenment experience is a state of non-attachment, i.e. being free to choose, rather than being addicted to your desires - an "I can take it or leave it" attitude.
However, it is important to understand that the sex drive is a natural and healthy aspect of human nature. Virtually all of us are hardwired for sexuality. So judging ones sex drive as bad, or "un-spiritual" is not a constructive thing to do. It's better to accept it, and if possible, find a healthy way to fulfill it.
http://www.mentalhealthforum.net/forum/thread112677.html#post1142138
Why do meditators always sigh before they speak?
I have noticed this behaviour in Eckhart Tolle. Before he speaks he will breath heavily twice and looks like he is sighing.
Ajahn Brahm looks fed up as well and it's like he really looks stressed before he speaks . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRutmoPEWaQ
I have noticed the same behaviour in me, I will breath heavily twice and sigh each time before I speak. There is a uncomfortable uncalm feeling just before I speak which only lasts for a few seconds before it is gone. Once I am talking, I feel okay.
Is this the side effect of meditation, the side effect of having no ego? Even though I do it, it is quite bearable and not painful at all. Just an unpleasant sensation for a couple of seconds or so which doesn't bother me at all, but why is it happening?
I don't know. I've never noticed this in other meditators, or in myself.
Jim, Please see the youtube video. Well, you don't have too see the video, you could just google the name.
There is a guy called Rufus May, who uses 'Walking Meditation' to help deal with his voices. I have spoken to somebody else on the mental health forum, who also says she does 'walking meditation'.
I can understand what you mean when you said, that people that hear voices should not do meditation. I mean what happens if they have the 'meditation uncalm feeling' and they can not focus on their breathing due to their voices, that means they are going to end up with problems.
What do you make of it?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNp-7DT2u8E&feature=player_embedded
Walking meditation is a very helpful practice for developing mindfulness in everyday life. If it also helps people who hear unwanted voices, that's great - a good substitute for sitting meditation.
I suggest that people who hear voices do not practice sitting meditation because it is likely to exacerbate the condition.
Even if somebody is doing walking meditation, eventually they are going to have to do sitting meditation towards the end, is that not right?
It all depends on what their aim is. If their aim is to catalyze transformation and spiritual awakening, then yes, the depth that can be experienced in sitting meditation is generally necessary.
Hi, I started meditating a couple of years ago, I don't do it often, but when I do I an connect to my third eye chakra fairly easily and see myself as a purple spark of light. The other day a bright yellow light appeared in the upper right of my minds eye and I got a very strong and instant feeling that it was my fiancé I was seeing as this light. I would love some insight into what this might mean or symbolise! Thank you Jim! :)
I take your question to indicate that you have an actual fiancé - in a physical body and all. :-) If this is the case, then you most likely had a brief meeting with a "higher dimension" of your fiancé on a higher plane.
We are all multi-dimensional, and our interactions are not limited to the physical world. So I'd say you can trust your feeling - your intuition - about this.
If, however, you were using the term "fiancé" to symbolize a future hope, then you most likely had a higher plane encounter with your future partner.
How are children raised in Buddhism? Do Buddhist children do meditation before becoming adults? Do Buddhist children become enlightened before becoming adults?
It would depend on whether the children are in a monastery or living with their family. If in a monastery, they would be trained in meditation and other monastic Buddhist practices as they grow up. If they are living at home with their family, they would mostly be raised much like other children. Some families might teach their children to meditate at an early age, while some may not.
As for becoming enlightened before they become adults... if a soul was at an extremely advanced stage of spiritual evolution when it incarnated, then it could happen. Otherwise, it's not likely.
Hi when I meditate I see a bright white triangle in the top right background of my sight. When I concentrate hard enough without looking directly at it it spreads across the top of my sight then if I'm lucky my whole vision goes to the brightest of white just like when your sunbathing with sun shining in your eyes but this is white. I then find myself spinning/ dizzy and have to open my eyes before Im sick! Can anyone explain what's happening?
Also when I'm meditating I suddenly picture an object be it a computer screen ,a tree anything and its amazingly clear but because it just happens it makes me jump and I loose the image. Any tips of staying in that image?
Thank you
Hello Adrian...
You are opening your awareness to higher dimensions of reality. In the higher realms, the energy that pervades everything is brighter, and often appears as white light. Hence, you are getting a nice taste of this light.
The spinning and dizziness is most likely occurring because you have not yet acclimated to this higher energy... Unless you are concentrating too hard, in which case, dialing your concentration level down might alleviate the spinning and dizziness.
Regarding the images you are seeing, the increased clarity is a result of seeing these things from a higher state of awareness - beyond the mental cloudiness that generally filters our perception. Although they may be interesting, I suggest you enjoy the fleeting images without trying to hold on to them. Just let them come and go.
Hi Jim,
I wrote to you a few days ago to let you know how much I enjoy your stories and hope you feel like sharing more with us. I guess cyber gremlins ate it. lol
Thanks, Sheryl
Hi Sheryl... Glad to hear you enjoyed the sketches. If I recall any other life experiences I feel will be both entertaining and inspiring, I'll be happy to share them.
I was born a Psychic Medium/Clairvoyant..I had many strong abilities until the late 1980,s...I had to close down/shut the door.. I stayed closed for 20 yrs then it all starting coming back..The only thing that didn;t come back was my ability to see colors, to envision things in meditation. How do I get this back? I've tried for yrs. with no success. Can you help me??
If this ability is not returning naturally, then perhaps it is not the right time for it to return. There is a higher wisdom at work in the way our journey plays out, and it is best to trust its perfection. I suggest that you enjoy those abilities that have returned, use them for the greater good, and be patient with the visual aspects.
I practice visualization nightly before I go to sleep, usually settling into my inner being by focusing on the sensory experience and image of falling from a tree as a leaf, then sinking to the bottom of a deep pool, very relaxing.
I also use another meditation, descending my internal staircase. I focus on the visualization, descending slowly, focusing on the images and allowing the contents of each niche to materialize at their own pace before meditating on the contents and slowly moving on. I have very fully developed the visualization, the stairs are gold quartz, rounded and soft, smooth white plaster walls, carved white moulding around each niche, warm chestnut wood column railing...
Recently I was picturing the room above for a calming departure from my usual self exploration. Arching dome windows full of golden sunlight, gold laced quartz expanse of floor, green leafy plants, chestnut bookcases and canopy bed with gauzy hangings...
But I visualized something unexpected. A woman, dressed in a gold and white renaissance style dress, beautiful, serene, an up do of golden curls, sitting on the bed. Not scary, I found her very interesting. She has no eyes, like there are black holes instead of eyes. It doesn't look gross or scary... Entrancing, maybe. I'm not sure why she is there, do you have any ideas? I've been looking into it and getting no where. I drew a picture of her,but there is no way to share it here. Is she me? She doesn't look like my image of me in my head. And why no eyes? Not torn out eyes, not sunken eyes or black eyes... Like eyeholes filled with black smoke maybe?
From your description, there are a couple of options:
1. She might have been a disembodied spirit from the Renaissance era who dropped by to enjoy your meditative energy.
2. She might have been a vision, representing something of personal significance to you - possibly an ideal of beauty and grace. If it is symbolic for you, then somewhere in your consciousness you know what that is. You might ask your Inner Self, see what comes up, and trust your intuition.
The fact that she had no eyes would quite likely be symbolic, whether she was a spirit or a vision - possibly symbolic of non-judgment. Possibly symbolic of something in your life you are not seeing.
Whichever the case - spirit or vision - it sounds like a very positive experience. When you are in an altered state of consciousness, you just never know what will pop up. :-)
Hello I have a question about a strong pressure in the middle of my forehead?
I've had an extremely stressful year and so on the past few months I've begun to meditate, I feel it's going ok but I've have developed a pressure almost pain in the middle of my forehead that is stopping me from sleeping. It only occurs at night and has me quiet worried which I'm sure isn't helping matters. Can anyone explain or have had similar experiences? Please help!!
Hello...
The pressure is occurring due to an increase in the flow of your inner spiritual energy, also known as "Chi."
Meditation tends to increase the flow of this energy, which is mainly a good thing, as Chi is the energy that catalyzes inner healing and transformation. However, it can cause physical pressure if it encounters an obtruction to its flow. The forehead is typically where this occurs, although it can happen in other areas as well.
The pressure usually diminishes once the energy has cleared away the obstruction, but here are two suggestions that may reduce it more quickly.
1. If you are meditating for more that 20 minutes a day, I suggest you cut back to 20 minutes or less.
2. If you are making a strong effort to concentrate - to stay focussed - I suggest you dial it down to a level where you are making only about a 50% effort. Staying very focussed in meditation is not necessary for getting good results - especially if you are meditating to relax and reduce stress.
If you do this, and the pressure persists for another week, please let me know, and include any details you think would be relevant - especially a description of the method you are using.
I have two 30 minutes session with guided meditation. I want connect with who I am. Why is it when I do positive for people negativity comes back to me?
Hello Candace... If you continue with your daily meditation, you will begin to experience more of who you truly are - the peaceful, loving awareness of your Inner Self.
As for why people respond to your positive actions with negativity, there are various underlying factors at work here:
1. The karmic connections from previous lifetimes that you have with these people .
2. The fact that people don't always respond the way we want, and that life does not always seem fair.
3. Negative expectations that exist deep in your unconscious mind. These will come into the light of your awareness to be released as you continue your meditation.
Regardless of how people respond, I encourage you to continue doing good things, and always treat people with kindness and respect.
Q. I have read on the internet that once I am enlightened, I will have an opportunity to leave my body (expansion). I am worried that if I try this that will not be able to come back to my body. Is there a possibility of this happening?
Do you recommend expansion or people leaving their body after enlightenment?
A. Your soul is connected to your physical body by what is called "the silver cord." This cord assures that you cannot leave your body permanently until it is time to end this incarnation and cross over.
However, I do not recommend that you do anything to leave your body at this time. And after you attain a high level of enlightenment, there will be no need to do this, because then you will know and experience that you exist everywhere
Q. Hello Jim, this is jag here. I am still on the uncalm stage and haven't meditated for quite a while.
Sometimes, I find myself crying for no reason. Sometimes I feel despair and sadness at losing my thoughts when my mind has gone blank for a short period. Is this normal? This crying is very unsual for me.
Am I going through the 'Dark Night of the soul' or something?
A. Yes, you are going through a cleansing period - a physical and emotional purification - often referred to as a "dark night of the soul."
It will pass, but meanwhile, it's important to feel the emotions when they come up. It is also very good to allow yourself to cry freely - very cleansing.
Q. Hello Jim. Me being able to sense somebody next to me, I can no longer feel. For example, if my mother is in the room next door or sitting on the sofa behind me, I can not sense this. I felt myself crying and getting emotional about this situation. Sometimes I feel so alone when like this.
Am I going through the 'Dark Night of the Soul' and how long will it take to get through it? Will this happen again after enlightenment?
A. This, and other situations, are acting as necessary triggers to bring up deep emotions to be cleansed. As I said in the previous answer, feel the emotions. There is no way to know how long it will take to get through this phase, but acknowledging and feeling the emotions will expedite the process. After true enlightenment occurs, these experiences will not be necessary.
Q. Another time I started crying because I could not feel the sense of time. I can not understand why I am crying over this? Is this normal?
A. There is no such thing as normal anymore. :-) Just go with it.
http://themystic.org/planes/fourth.htm
'Many seekers do not understand and do not have what it takes. They try the expansion a few times, find themselves unwilling or unable to cooperate with the outward thrust of the self. They return to the fork in the road where higher consciousness began and they willingly take the other road: the road of self-confinement.'
______________________________________________________________________________
Jim, what is that mystic talking about then? Please could you make sense of it for me.
1. The spiritual experience of total expansion of consciousness is available to those on the spiritual path.
2. When this occurs, ones consciousness - or spiritual essence - literally expands to experience its true nature, which is one with the Infinite Universal Consciousness.
3. For those who are prepared for this, it's wonderful - the experience of freedom, bliss or ecstacy.
4. For those who are not prepared, it can be scary - so scary that they may even try to put the brakes on their spiritual progress. This is because the ego - the mental construct that we are separate individuals, apart from the One Consciousness - fears that it will be permanently extinguished if one expands beyond its limited identity.
5. But the ego is not permanently extinguished until the spiritual practitioner is fully prepared for this to occur.
Hi,
So happy to find you Sir. I have been practising meditation since a few years, although I am not very regular on it. A few months back I don't know how but I developed a wish to raise my kundalini. I researched on it and found about the dangers of it and soon I let go of my wish and resisted it. But soon I realised I enjoyed my meditation more as it became deeper and deeper. I used to feel strong vibrations in my body wish was very pleasant. But one day when I went to bed late at 3:30 am after my work, I experienced a sudden rush of energy rising up my body filling every cell with delight. As if everything is blooming. And then I was paralysed and, saw some lights and became very light like feather. Then my body floated upto my rooms ceiling. I became very afraid and chanted my deity's name and soon I was back in my senses. Maybe it was OBE. But definitely it wasn't a dream. Very real. I switched on my lights. Loved my child and prayed to god not to show me such things again. I was vibrating strongly till half hour after that experience. After a few days while meditating I felt a lizard climb up and down my back. But there was no real lizard. Meditations gave me stronger vibrations. Then one day while trying to sleep I again felt a burst of energy exploding out of my head into complete nothingness. Scary again. Soon I started fearing meditation. I stopped meditating. Now I am back to my normal self. But somewhere I don't feel happy inside. I have got everything. But still I feel some lack. I am a cheerful person also I have successful ly let go of my painful past. I realise I have changed a bit for good. But I want to find answers for my strange experiences. I am sure my kundalini has not risen yet as I am simple human with my own set of flaws. Please please answer what was all that? I want to meditate now but can't go that deep now.
Hello Rashi...
All of the experiences you have described were the result of a large and sudden increase in the flow of kundalini. The energy known as kundalini is much misunderstood. This energy is simply the "life force" that flows through everyone - it is the energy that keeps our bodies alive. It is also known as "chi" or "prana."
However, it is indeed a very powerful energy, and when there is a sudden increase in its flow, extreme experiences like yours can occur. Hence, the power of kundalini should be respected, but it should not be feared.
Such experiences, although they can be very elevating while they are occurring, often leave an individual somewhat confused and unsettled in their wake. It is not uncommon for some individuals to fear these experiences, because they are so different from our normal reality. Experiences of this nature also tend to trigger the release of deep seated physical, emotional and mental toxins, which - although a positive, healing occurrence - when extreme, can add to the confusion, fear and other negative feelings.
Although there is no way to guarantee experiences like you had will not occur again, there are some simple, common sense guides to follow, that will significantly decrease the chances of these occurring.
1. Meditate for no more than 20 minutes per day.
2. Never meditate with rigorous concentration, no matter what you may have been taught. Medium effort to stay focussed - around 50% - is best.
3. Never practice a method in which there is an attempt to move energy or stumulate kundalini in any way, or a deliberate intention to open the chakras.
If you follow these guidelines, there is a good chance you will not have such extreme experiences in the future, but there are many factors that determine one's experiences. So as mentioned, I cannot guarantee it.
If you have any further problems, feel free to contact me.
Hi,
This is Rashi again. Thanks for replying sir. Although those strange experiences of kundalini awakening no longer trouble me but it is quite sad that meditation is no longer an easy sport for me. I have to struggle again like others to go in those deeper stages. Also, please suggest ways to develop my intuition so that I can take better decisions about people and my life. I feel my personality lacks lusture like highly evolved individuals. I want to develop a right attitude so that I can survive well in relationships and this materialistic world so that all my karmic accounts are settled.
Hello Rashi... I suggest you quit struggling to reach deeper states. Simply go through the steps of your meditation with medium effort, and accept whatever happens. Making too great of an effort can lead to various energy-related problems.
Regarding intuition, meditating regularly will help develop your intuition naturally. There are exercises for developing intuition, but I do not teach them.
Eckhart Tolle said that his thought processes was reduced by 80%. I read somewhere that even enligtened monks can not get rid of there thoughts 100%. Is this true?
Yes, the basic premise is true. The mind thinks thoughts - that's it's job, But in higher states, one's awareness is expanded, so the thoughts can move through the mind without the attention getting enmeshed in them, somewhat analogous to the way clouds move freely through the vast blue sky.
Why do meditation teachers or spiritual seekers use the word namaste which is hindu. I thought meditation has more to do with buddhism then hinduism.
Although "Namaste" is a Hindi word, meaning "the Divine essence in me bows to the Divine essence in you," it is Universal in its meaning and intent. Meditation is also a Universal practice, done by people from all religions and all cultures - not exclusive to Buddhism or Hinduism.
When I become awakened, and I become one with everything, will I lose the love I have for my parents?
No.
Hi
I have been meditating for a year now with little results for helping my social phobia and shyness. My mind does become clear but i just cant keep out of my head when not meditating and cant be in the present moment.
Do you have any meditation practices for helping me? Any mantra for this?
Thank you
I cannot guarantee this will work, but here is a mantra to connect you with your Higher Self - the part of you that is always at peace, and the part of you where your true power resides.
The mantra is "I am that I am." You can use it as your object of focus in meditation - and you can also repeat it silently or quietly outside of meditation, especially in instances that may trigger your problem.
When meditating, I suggest you mentally repeat "I am" as you inhale, and "that I am" as you exhale.
When using the mantra in or out of meditation, try to sense the powerful presence of your Higher Self, but it's ok if you don't get a sense of it. Remember that your Higher Self is not a separate being - it is an integral part of you.
Thank you so much Jim.
I really cant wait to start it and when i read that i should try to sense my higher self, i felt like i did sense my higher self.
I just don't understand who and what my higher self really is? Some people say it's my better self but some say it's just part of allot of people's higher self. Also that there is a higher soul for these higher selves.
Could you plz explain what you believe on this matter? An article if you have one plz?
I have heard that the mantra I am that i am is what God told Moses who he should call him, so is the higher self, The father (God)that Moses talks about? Or is The Father the higher self of all higher selves?
Sorry if this is not the site for these questions and will accept it if you cant answer these questions here. I will appreciate it if you could PLEASE.
Either way i will still do the mantra and thank you very much
God bless
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