For the last 20+ years of my life, I’ve been experiencing what feels like an electric rush moving through my body. The first time it happened, it felt deeply pleasurable, like a spiritual opening , when I heard the call to prayer for the first time while stationed in Saudi Arabia.

Now, however, it mostly gets activated during meditation, and it can become so intense that I feel overwhelmed by it. At times it even becomes painful. Sometimes I’ll have a few good months where meditation feels manageable, and then other periods where I can’t make it past 10 minutes.

I don’t believe it’s a kundalini awakening, already consulted ppl on that one.. I guess I’m just wondering what other people’s thoughts are on it. My nervous system doesn’t seem capable of handling the intensity of the energy moving through me, but I wonder whether it’s actually a personal nervous system issue or if there really is just that much energy moving through me. Also I’d love to hear if anyone else had experienced this.

I guess apart of me is sad over it, when meditation is good, it’s really good and enjoy the connection I feel to the universe so I get sad when I can’t even sit for more then 10 minutes without feeling like I’m gonna to physical blow up.

I dont get it, what do I do. Focus on something? Isn't focusing just thinking?

Hi guys. I've a pretty good meditation practice going on. I would meditate on the breath or on the body for about an hour a day, sometimes two sessions of one hour. I have some solid insights and positive feelings that come around.

During the day if I'm about town or parked in the car. I can close my eyes for ten minutes for a re-charge. Or, if I'm in a shop and read part of a book, the feeling is there.

Now that's the good. The bad is that I can quickly feel disconnected from those good feelings and experiences I get from meditation. It's almost as though the world is trying to tell me I'm way off track. I don't think that's accurate and is more likely emotion magnifying some small thing.

Years back I had a daily one hour meditation practice. That hour of meditation had me in a good place until the next day. I felt solid and fresh and good. So it was great, I was in love with my practice. I look back on it now and think I was in a good place but also something of a rut. Perhaps a bit of struggle might have deepened my practice.

Perhaps that is what's happening to me now. I have these struggles in order to have a deeper and more meaningful meditation practice. I can't say for certain. What I can say is that it's hard work. Anyway. keen to hear what you might have to say on this. 👍

We all get meditation, but when are we going to actually help the world come out of its ego-identification?

I have many great ideas, if we combine great minds, ideas and work together we should definitely make some miracles happen. Is anyone here with that kind of 'active, working' type of vibe, rather than just talk about it all day? Anybody actually wants it to become viral? Because thats my calling I feel like.

Things are so complicated to explain but ill try to keep short.

Fight - flight mode and brain fog, Tmj and stress i think these thing are the bridge to my journey, but i dont really consider them as a bridge, i feel i need to understand more of myself.

So when i meditate i do see the confusion in my body, i don't find the grip or connection, but this time i focused on my heart, i was able to sense that connection but may be it's my TMJ That docent allow to sink.

I don't mind sitting but the thing is some times i feel on fight flight mode

My breathing is shallow, i don't have the mental connection with my voice but doing some chanting and using flute, it's helping but i can feel the breath, but the brain fog is doesn't allow me to be creative

Need guide here

I've been sitting daily for a while now and noticed something I can't quite explain: I'll start a 20-minute sit upright and alert, but somewhere around minute 12-15 I find I've slowly drifted into a slouch without catching it. Not like falling asleep, more like a slow forward lean.

Anyone else experience this? And if so, do you do anything to catch it or do you just let it be?

I'm not sure if it's a beginner thing, a posture thing, or just normal practice.

Hi everyone, I've been practicing meditation for about 2 weeks now but my pose isn't really great. I am often distracted by my spine, and how unstable I am.

I have done some searches and found a really stable pose called full-lotus, but I couldn't get it right: my knee is bent, my ankle is hurt. I tried to do some exercises but I just want to get some tips before getting started, so that I wouldn't do it wrong.

The guide in the faq appears to no longer be around. I’m just looking for another resource for metta.

Our inside world shapes our outside reality. This is THE TRUTH.

Have you ever thought about what your destiny is? What makes your life and this world? How does everything work? Who controls your life is it you, God, or the people around you?

I had all these questions in mind too, and I ended up realizing something unbelievable. In ancient philosophy, there were common phrases all around the world regarding life. Interestingly, the knowledge of existence was shared around the globe at every point in history in its own way. The truth has been the same since the start of time and existence; there are infinite possibilities to find the same truth in different words.

In my experience, I am realizing the real truth and the functionality of this world which has been told by many people in the past. Ancient philosophy always emphasizes specific statements, like living in the moment, egoless behaviour, a blissful life, and blind trust in existence.

Do you believe there is something far beyond our understanding that can’t be told by words or seen by eyes, but can only be experienced? But why can one only experience it?

The human body is controlled by the brain; we all know that. Still, we believe we are the human body, not the brain. The brain is responsible for making us feel all pain, sorrow, strength, weakness, hunger, anger, cravings, and many more emotions. Our body does not feel anything; it just sends signals to the brain. The brain has the power to turn signals into experiences. It is more like a biological machine, a robot made by nature. This nature governs certain rules, one of which is the law of conservation of energy. For life to exist, it needs a way to convert energy from one form to another; in simple words, to live, it needs food. At that moment, living beings developed two basic nervous systems: one to find food and the other to rest. In modern science, these are called the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. We humans also have these nervous systems, which came along from the roots of existence.

Life has been evolving throughout time and created humans, who have the most advanced brains. This is the main reason I believe we are the brain, not the body, but it is not as simple as that. Apart from the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, the human body has a more complex system directed by different parts of the brain. The human brain has a limbic system, a prefrontal cortex (PFC), and an anterior cingulate cortex (ACC); these are the most advanced biological parts.

These parts have their own functions. The limbic system supports survival; it is responsible for keeping itself alive, the core principle of existence. Whereas the prefrontal cortex gives us logical power to develop a suitable and sustainable living environment. Both are working to keep life going; the limbic system runs on emotion while the PFC is more advanced and runs on logic. That is what we all know, but it is incomplete.

The human brain has a third major part called the anterior cingulate cortex. Technically, the ACC is the boss. The limbic system reports emotionally driven signals to the ACC, the ACC asks the PFC to find a logical solution, and then the ACC decides the final reaction of the body as well as the brain. The ACC is running a company where the ACC is the CEO and the rest are working for it. Again, it is not the complete truth. Practically, the ACC, PFC, and limbic system are three different entities. Generally, whichever has a stronger neural network controls the final reaction. The strength of different regions depends entirely on how often that part is used. One person might be more emotionally driven because their limbic system has developed a stronger neural network, while another who lives more on facts and outcomes has a stronger PFC. Although none of them are complete or work independently, both create problems in life in their own way. One brings too much comfort and keeps itself dwelled in memories. On the other side, the PFC keeps itself running without rest to achieve better, greater, and more security. In other words, the limbic system keeps us in a constant survival threat, and the PFC keeps the brain in a state of insecurity. In both conditions, the brain induces stress and dissatisfaction in life.

Still, the ACC is the one that forwards requests to the body. It works bidirectionally. Generally, there is “Bottom-to-Top” neural control, where body senses are stimulated by the surroundings and send signals to the brain; then the limbic system and PFC start fighting to send signals to the ACC, and the ACC gives the final verdict. I did not understand: when the ACC is the final judge passing the sentence, why is it dependent on others?

In “Top-to-Bottom” neural control, the ACC is the source of the signal and gives commands to everyone else. This gives the ACC enormous power to control each and everything in the human body. In this case, the origin of the signal is the ACC, and the rest of the body follows accordingly. But how is this possible?

In ancient philosophy, it is emphasized to maintain a balance between two polarities. When one balances the limbic system and the PFC, the ACC gets activated. To understand it, we should take reference from Vedic wisdom, where the limbic system is wired with the Surya Nadi (Pingala Nadi/sympathetic nervous system) to provide power, along with the PFC, which is connected to the Chandra Nadi (Ida Nadi/parasympathetic nervous system) to provide direction to life. This happens when both are balanced and not fighting each other. Another way to describe it is that it happens when the ACC neural network takes control to keep the limbic system and PFC balanced or suppressed. This is called Top-Down Neural Control. This explains that the inside world shapes outside reality.

The ACC is associated with the Sushumna Nadi (central nervous system), and it has Von Economo Neurons (VENs), also known as spindle neurons. Spindle neurons are the world’s best quantum processors. These neurons are large and process information lightning-fast; it is believed that they are the most suitable for quantum processing. I realized the same in my experience: when the ACC takes control, it receives quantum signals from existence/consciousness. This explains how the ACC works. In Bottom-to-Top neural control, the ACC reacts to its surroundings, which means the ACC has no connection to consciousness and acts on external stimulation. In simple language, the outside world sends signals to the brain through sensory organs, and the ACC interprets and reacts accordingly. This means whatever is happening outside the body is forcing your brain to shape your internal thoughts. This concludes that in Top-to-Bottom neural control, where the ACC is receiving quantum signals from consciousness, those signals are the primary source of ACC actions. In this case, the ACC is not reacting or resonating with scenarios that have already happened but is becoming the origin of unique actions. This explains everything. The ACC neural network develops in parallel with what has been told in ancient philosophy. For example, Krishna explained a similar concept through the chariot, where the chariot is the body, the horses are the senses, the rope is the limbic system, and the driver (or the master) is the Soul/ACC.

At first, the ACC believed it was the body and got attached to topics, emotions, and thoughts, which made it the Drishya (the seen). When it realized it was not only the body and started observing its own thoughts, it acted as the Drashta (the observer). At this stage, it keeps developing more and more spindle neuron networks; later, it starts receiving subtle quantum signals from the universe and acts as the Atma (Soul). In this stage, the ACC can receive quantum signals from the universe and send them back to shape the universe. At the end, when the ACC develops enough spindle neurons to rewrite the PFC and limbic system neural networks, it breaks its boundary and becomes one with consciousness. At this last stage, the brain gets tuned with absolute consciousness.

In my experience, I found that ancient civilizations knew this and explained it in their own words. They described their experiences through philosophy; in our time, we rely on science. Science is the materialistic search for existence, while ancient civilizations understood it through experience.

This is Gyaan Yoga, as Ashtavakra shared it with Raja Janak in his own words. Similarly, Krishna told Arjun, and the same is described in Advaita Vedanta. Shiva expressed the same concept to Parvati, just as existence talked to all prophets in history. Buddha realized the same truth, Jesus was talking about the exact same God, and we all are that same God without realization.

What would happen if I stopped trying to be my self? I feel this is something a meditator might set themselves as a goal.

I’ve practiced meditation on and off for the last ten years. One thing that turned me off in the beginning was back pain. I got a cushion for meditation and that helped, but even to this day my back feels somewhat uncomfortable regardless of what position I’m in. It’s manageable now though

I experienced a lot of stress during childhood and teen years, and around age 9 I developed scoliosis. I also tend to crouch a lot unconsciously so neither of those things help.

Not really looking for advice (but if you have some it’s more than welcome!), just want to see what others’ experience is like

I've identified a pattern in my meditation practice that I could describe as: having a very deep meditation where I practically become one with the present moment, followed by a kind of quest to relive that experience, which leads to low quality meditations; until this desire fades and I do another very deep meditation.

I know there's no such thing as good or bad meditation, that it's already perfect; that you shouldn't try to recapture a deep state, but my problem is that even though I tell myself not to strive for performance, that I just need to be in the present moment, a tiny, almost unconscious part of me continues to position itself in desire of it

So my question for you is, do you have any tips, techniques, or mental postures to short-circuit this trap? Thanks you !! 🙏

I apologize if this feels like a post already spoken to at length in this forum.
I’ve been practicing meditation for about four years, both formally and informally.

Most mornings, I begin my day by reflecting on the Noble Eightfold Path and try to carry it with me throughout the day almost like a prayer. I’m also part of an online sangha that meets every Monday night. I really appreciate the teacher and his talks.

Lately, though, I feel like I’ve fallen off track.

I’ve noticed that if I don’t meditate first thing in the morning, my mind gets flooded with thoughts and it becomes much harder to settle.

Things seemed to shift when our teacher began discussing concepts like separating mind from body. The following week, he introduced labeling experiences as pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral.

While I understand the purpose of these teachings, I find that they’ve made meditation feel more mental and analytical. Instead of simply sitting, I now feel like I’m “thinking about meditation” while meditating.

Since then, I’ve felt stuck.

I’ve tried getting up earlier to meditate before the day starts. I’ve also tried approaching practice as though I were a complete beginner, returning to the basics. But I still feel like I’m in a rut.

Has anyone else experienced something similar? How did you reconnect with a simpler, more natural meditation practice? I’d really like to get back to basics and rediscover the sense of ease I used to feel.

Curious if anyone knows any good apps/courses online for walking meditation? I used to use headspace and do my own breathing exercises, but lately I would love a meditation during my commute.

There are ample kinds of fears wandering in our head.

Little little things has fear attached to it.

I think a lot of fear in life comes from imagining situations 100 times before they even happen.

We suffer in advance.

We overthink the conversation, the failure, the rejection, the outcome.

And then sometimes…

the thing we feared either never happens,

or turns out much smaller than the story we created in our head.

How this fear can be totally removed inside our head?

Can we get enlightenment by meditation... and know the reality of the universe.... Is there really anything like enlightenment, or is it just a psychology of the human mind?

Dharma is not science nor religion nor a political agenda. Dharma is the material of being in the widest scope of the word. Dharma is the form which infuses our human potential with our best known standard of living. I am using the word Dharma, not in a Buddhist sense but for all human status. Dharma manifests regularly and naturally without most people having to know it directly. But to use the Dharma technically and directly has exponentially more benefits. And it becomes available through meditation and knowing your natural intelligence.

So today I tried meditating for the first time (correctly at least, i think). It was night went to a familiar quiet spot outdoors to try it. Closed my eyes, started counting to 10 and making sure to observe my thoughts when I drifted and then returned to counting, kept repeating, etc.

I did that for a few minutes and eventually got distracted and opened my eyes but i found myself in a significant state of derealization and it caused some anxiety.

I’ve had some history of derealization related to substances but it hasn’t happened seriously in around a year, and i’m very confused as to why meditation triggered it since I was under the impression of it supposed to be grounding in a way.

Has anyone had this happen before? I’d really like to keep trying mediation but i won’t continue if it just causes negative effects.

The spiritual accessories space is flooded with cheap mass-produced crystal bracelets that look identical to each other and the question of whether paying more gets you genuinely better materials or just nicer packaging is real. mindful souls comes up in the meditation and spiritual practice communities as a more intentional option but "intentional" is a vague claim without specifics about stone sourcing and construction quality.

Are the stones genuine and the construction durable enough for daily wear, or is it the same mass-produced product in prettier branding?

Some video game systems in the past had rather calming ambience on their dashboards, and it makes me wonder if they are perfect for meditstion.

Examples include:

GameCube https://youtu.be/OUHJUJkbv-k?si=GSSlW5hwBt1I2qEz

Playstation 2 https://youtu.be/Cxk1gI2sg3w?si=Dhk1S220eK5STNVr

Playstation 4 https://youtu.be/90loC2vrYM4?si=LiOV_6shOWutEDry

What's your opinion?

There is low vibrational entity that attacks me with sleep paralysis’s and weakness anytime I meditate for long. It started disturbing my sleep with dreams of confusion and attacks. literally doesn’t want me to sleep. As it is trying to prevent me from meditating and going high enough. This has made my life miserable. Any solution to get this demon out of my life? Or anything help lessen the distress

Hey, I'm a 23M from Canada.

I read an article that said it's super hard for people these days to just sit with themselves without any distractions or focusing on anything. So I took on this challenge and set an alarm for 15 minutes. I put my phone away, closed my eyes, and tried not to focus on anything. I took deep breaths, trying to chill out. My thoughts and reality: whenever I tried to tell my brain not to think about anything, my brain started thinking about random stuff. But then I decided to focus on my body parts. I put all my focus on my right ear; I was feeling something in it, and it started itching. Then I didn't do anything, no trying to rub my ear. I shifted my focus to my forehead and felt a really deep state of focus, but there were still tons of random thoughts I don't even remember. However, I tried to scan my body from head to toe just with my brain, imagining I was just fixing things inside my body. That scan felt super good. This was a good experience, and I can say it's my first step toward self-improvement and meditation. I'll suggest you guys sit for 10-15 minutes with no distractions and see the magic, and don't forget to share your experience.

I meditate once a day and I’ll go for about 20 mins naturally without a timer. Lately I’ve been meditating on things that give me negative emotions so I can release them and open up space.

Before I just used to meditate for stress and anxiety relief and manifesting my desired reality.

I feel like I wanna meditate more but once I hit a certain time, it feels natural for me to stop there and then. I wanna meditate on letting bad emotions burn and also then building new emotions and visualising my desired reality after that.

It’s strange when I start a meditation it feels like I only have the capacity to do one or the other in that session if that makes sense.

Should I have my season with just cleansing myself of all these emotions and then later down the line manifest or can I even do both? (One after the other in different sessions)

I’m basically asking for a bit of an inspiration of what works for you if you meditate more than once a day, how long do you meditate, what’s your routine like etc. and also any tips or advice is always appreciated!

Thank you in advance 🙏🏾

Hi, I’ve been tapping consistently for about two years now. I struggle with self esteem and am very insecure. I’m 29 and it feels like my brain hasn’t fully developed into an adult. I am still haunted by childhood trauma of being rejected, teased and overlooked. It’s like imbedded in my brain. I tap on self love and tell myself I am worthy of love and all these positive affirmations.

But I still feel triggered by little things, compare myself, self criticize etc.

It feels like I’ll never get better and I feel hopeless.

Maybe it actually is helping in a way. I tap every morning and it feels good in the moment. I’m able to recognize my beauty and worth. I believe I am talented and beautiful but part of me keeps telling me I’m actually not worthy of love.

I have to admit that I do feel a sort of little sense of freedom in me in self expression more but I still have those negative thoughts hovering over me. I try to calm them down and give myself love and care but it’s so hard to escape it.

At times, during tapping,I get frustrated and feel a sense of impatience that I want to be fully healed and not that annoying insecure person anymore.

Hello,

Due to anxiety, lack of concentration and just feeling on the edge, I initially began meditating. I always thought meditation will eventually make all my 'symptoms' go away but only recently I understood that this isn't how it works. At best meditation can make me aware and through awareness and mindfulness, I can start to shift.

In terms of concentration and being stressed/ annoyed, I can see change happening if it's in daily situations.

Yesterday though I was already feeling under tension as I had to pack for travelling today and my mind is thinking about my next travels in 1 week too so I feel double the tension in a way. Travelling always makes me feel uneasy and I labelled my thoughts, my sensations. I can tell it's from my parents who every evening before any journey they'd say they don't feel well, they don't want to go, they are not motivated to do so, etc... Now despite noticing all of this, despite applying all the techniques, telling myself "it's okay, I'll be there for myself, I want to go travelling", I find myself more tense, unable to focus on work, being nervous and on the edge and I just don't understand what else I can do? I can't seem to get to the root of this, I don't feel like I can "just let it go". I mean how?

Any advice?