Note: For the complete lessons, with additions, see the AYP Easy Lessons for Ecstatic Living Books.

Update: For additional assistance with meditation sensitivity issues, see Lessons 365-367.

Lesson 218 - Q&A – Meditation sensitivity and head movements

From: Yogani
Date: Fri Jul 16, 2004 4:59pm

New Members: It is recommended you read from the beginning of the web archive, as previous lessons are prerequisite to this one. The first lesson is, "Why This Discussion?"


Q: I am new to this group and have some problems I would like to discuss with you. I am not posting this message on the notice board as I am fully aware of the power of suggestion and do not wish anyone else to suddenly encounter the same problem.

When I start to meditate the first thing that happens is my head starts to move from side to side as the mantra begins to become subtler this movement will increase until it is uncomfortable. I consciously stop this, and then ticks start in my face followed by jerks in my arms, which become more and more violent until I have to stop meditating. Have you ever come across a problem like this before? And do you know the answer to it?


A: Thank you for writing, and welcome.

Movements during yoga are not uncommon, though they are not usually as strong as you describe. It means your nervous system is spiritually sensitive, and a lot of deep purification is going on. It is energy moving inside, and what is happening is your body's natural response to accommodate that. It is a good thing, and it will smooth out in time. In the meantime, practices should be managed in such a way so you will have comfort on your path. Otherwise, you might not be inspired to carry on.

If you go to the AYP web site, there is a topic index that provides links to lessons on many subjects. You can find it at:

http://www.aypsite.com/TopicIndex.html

It is suggested you look up "Automatic Yoga," "Connectedness of Yoga," and "Self-pacing." These topics will bring up most of the discussion on movements in yoga (and other energy/kundalini symptoms) and various ways to deal with them.

Also, if you read through the lessons from start to finish, you will find other aspects of practice that tie in with your experience. For example, there is an advanced practice called "Chin Pump" that involves vigorous, yet systematic and safe, rotational movement of the head. It would appear that your body is attempting to move in that direction in the experience you describe. When these tendencies become organized they are called "automatic yoga," and there are quite a few manifestations of this discussed in the lessons. However, before trying chin pump, it is suggested you start at the beginning of the lessons and work your way through. There is a lot of groundwork that should be covered before chin pump is undertaken. If you read through the lessons you will see that the steps of practice are logical and take into account the many kinds of experience that can come up.

If it is okay with you, I'd like to post your inquiry anonymously, and this response, in a Q&A for the benefit of everyone. It is a good example of movements that can come up on the road of yoga, and you will find similar ones in the Q&As. Let me know, okay?

The group is moderator-posted only, so you don't have to worry about posting by accident. Replies to lessons come to me only. The rule (on the home pages of both the Yahoo group and the web site) is that any email is fair game for anonymous inclusion in a Q&A for the benefit of all, unless you request otherwise. Since you did express a preference not to be posted, you won't be unless you say okay. Your experience fits right in with all we have been discussing. You came to the right place.

I wish you all success on your chosen spiritual path... Enjoy!


Q: Thank you for your prompt reply and help. Please feel free to post this message and any others from me at your discretion.


A: Thank you.

See lessons #160 & #200 for some immediate help on extreme sensitivity to meditation. Not the same symptoms, but a similar degree of sensitivity. The measures suggested there may be appropriate in your case. Keep in mind that these sometimes crazy purification stages do pass with good self-pacing, and wonderful openings often follow.

The guru is in you.

Note: For detailed instructions on deep meditation with self-pacing, see the AYP Deep Meditation book.

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