Personal Development for Smart People Forums - View Single Post - I think meditation has left me emotionally blank

Further · 11-25-2010, 06:31 AM

Hi AdoptedOne. I am writing to collaborate your experience. I too have felt a detached, dissociated feeling that has been triggered directly by meditation practices and attempting to be in the "now." I have been through this scenario several times now. The first time was when began practicing TM (through certified teachers) - the repeating of a mantra to guide oneself into a "trance" state. After a few days of twice daily meditations, I felt very spaced out and dissociated from my surroundings; clumsy and "robot" like. I was able to shake the state about 1 week after suspending meditation and working out regularly.

The second time happened when I purchased some hypnosis mp3s; which put me in a similar state. I felt a wonderful freedom at first; but then a familiar fog and detachment an hour or so after completing the tape.

Most recently this happened to me while listening to "A New Earth." It is a beautiful text, and I really love the ideas Tolle sets forth. One of the lines about recognizing the pain body, and realizing that the ego *enjoys* the pain really resonated with me. I immediately was able to quiet my inner chatter; I no longer wanted to hurt myself with egoic thoughts. I felt an immediate release; then unfortunately slipped into the familiar fog.

Part of me is thinking..."this too shall pass." A wonderful parable. But I cannot afford to be "spaced out" for extended periods. I, like others, am looking for increased clarity and less mental "static" - but unfortunately seem to be tipping the scale in the wrong direction into a mindless fog.

The trouble is that I see so much good come from these practices...It makes sense to quiet self defeating mental chatter; and meditation seems like a logical step - to slow down, breath, and not to identify or be owned so strongly by fleeting thoughts and emotions.

I will try some of the suggestions for grounding meditation; and hopefully one day will find a meditation practice the works for me.

I would love to hear continued thoughts from other members; perhaps those who have cleared this hurdle/challenge and reached a better place?

Hang in there AdoptedOne - I agree with the others that this is likely a temporary setback. Stop meditating, exercise vigorously, and talk to a doctor if the suicidal thoughts keep coming.

Thank you for raising your voice about this; and thanks to this amazing community for your help.

11-25-2010, 06:31 AM	#26 (permalink)
Further Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 2	Similar experience Hi AdoptedOne. I am writing to collaborate your experience. I too have felt a detached, dissociated feeling that has been triggered directly by meditation practices and attempting to be in the "now." I have been through this scenario several times now. The first time was when began practicing TM (through certified teachers) - the repeating of a mantra to guide oneself into a "trance" state. After a few days of twice daily meditations, I felt very spaced out and dissociated from my surroundings; clumsy and "robot" like. I was able to shake the state about 1 week after suspending meditation and working out regularly. The second time happened when I purchased some hypnosis mp3s; which put me in a similar state. I felt a wonderful freedom at first; but then a familiar fog and detachment an hour or so after completing the tape. Most recently this happened to me while listening to "A New Earth." It is a beautiful text, and I really love the ideas Tolle sets forth. One of the lines about recognizing the pain body, and realizing that the ego enjoys the pain really resonated with me. I immediately was able to quiet my inner chatter; I no longer wanted to hurt myself with egoic thoughts. I felt an immediate release; then unfortunately slipped into the familiar fog. Part of me is thinking..."this too shall pass." A wonderful parable. But I cannot afford to be "spaced out" for extended periods. I, like others, am looking for increased clarity and less mental "static" - but unfortunately seem to be tipping the scale in the wrong direction into a mindless fog. The trouble is that I see so much good come from these practices...It makes sense to quiet self defeating mental chatter; and meditation seems like a logical step - to slow down, breath, and not to identify or be owned so strongly by fleeting thoughts and emotions. I will try some of the suggestions for grounding meditation; and hopefully one day will find a meditation practice the works for me. I would love to hear continued thoughts from other members; perhaps those who have cleared this hurdle/challenge and reached a better place? Hang in there AdoptedOne - I agree with the others that this is likely a temporary setback. Stop meditating, exercise vigorously, and talk to a doctor if the suicidal thoughts keep coming. Thank you for raising your voice about this; and thanks to this amazing community for your help.