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Some people think we’re just here to "play around," like there isn't some deeper purpose behind our existence. I guess they see it as an opportunity to discover who we really are when stripped down by all this materialism. That’s why I’m interested in meditation—it’s such a famous way to get to know yourself without the ego getting in the way. But honestly, meditation isn't for everyone. Some people probably find more clarity through reading or just hanging out in nature.
I was actually reading about monasteries recently. I really admire how they live—the renunciation, the structure, the hard work, and that intense discipline. Is giving everything up really the only goal in life? I don't think so, because, let's face it, we can't take anything with us anyway. I don't know much about monastic life since I haven't looked into it deeply, but they seem to radiate this sense of peace and order. Maybe they practice a form of meditation too. I don't know. If their version of meditation is just prayer, then I don't really count that as meditation; to me, that's more of an expression of respect, gratitude, or just voicing a wish, which is something I do quite often.
You've probably heard of sun gazing. Apparently, people do it for about nine months, only looking during the "golden hours"—that hour before sunrise or sunset. They meditate during the process, too. And apparently, you have to walk barefoot on the earth at least once a year. I read some articles claiming this can actually change your DNA, or even lead to things like levitation and telepathy.
What do you guys think? Is it actually worth the effort, or is it just a waste of time?
rustymaker5 said:@ Olivia Davis81
I can't help but feel like you’ve got this real aversion to meditation, almost like there’s a layer of discomfort—maybe even a bit of fear—underneath it all... and honestly, I’d suggest looking into some other ways to awaken your consciousness, simply because anything we approach with a negative mindset tends to turn out negative for us, which obviously isn't the point here... maybe if you picked up a few books, they could offer some guidance that actually resonates with you, but either way, don't sweat it too much, because as they say, all roads lead to Rome. 😉
It makes sense that I'm scared of meditation. It's just unfamiliar and feels totally different. Trying to reach a state without any thoughts feels pretty weird to me. I actually asked earlier if there were other ways to wake up my consciousness...
I’ve also started getting really interested in spiritual stuff lately, but I definitely don't want to make the same mistake you did. I guess I'll just take it slow—read up, learn things bit by bit, and see where it goes... I saw on another forum that AP and out-of-body experiences aren't actually the same thing. Maybe don't stress too much about when it'll happen; I suppose we'll all experience it whenever it's meant to be our time.
Angela Cox4 said:Honestly, everything you just described sounds like the classic symptoms of an astral projection—especially that paralysis bit. Look, there are all kinds of wild states of consciousness out there, and when you're someone just starting to mess around with meditation, it’s super easy to accidentally trigger some intense mental states that feel nothing like "peaceful meditation"...
I don't know enough about this stuff, so I won't dive into things I'm not familiar with. AP wasn't really my goal anyway. I just wanted to reach, I don't know, a higher level of awareness. As far as I know, isn't AP just an illusion?
silvermason2 said:Everything you do in this life—whether you’re grinding hard or just sitting still—leaves a mark on your psyche and your body. Meditation is no exception. People love to talk about "dangers," though I wouldn't call them that; they're really just human reactions to specific stimuli. It's like how one person might feel sick after a single Advil, while someone else can pop a maximum daily dose and feel like they could run a marathon.
You have to follow the instructions for pretty much everything. Just like you’d read the label on a prescription from your doctor, every meditation technique comes with a set of guidelines you need to stick to if you actually want positive results. If you go rogue and start doing stupid stuff without knowing what you're doing, you're going to pay for it later. Believe me, I learned that the hard way.
Any bad experience you have while meditating usually boils down to a few things:
- The specific technique just isn't a good fit for you.
- For beginners, overdoing it can throw your energy levels completely out of whack. You might end up with too much energy—leading to insomnia, loss of appetite, jitters, headaches, or even vomiting—or you might drain yourself too much, leaving you feeling exhausted, listless, depressed, or dealing with weird aches and pains even when your physical exams at the clinic come back perfect.
- You fell for some fake guru who pushed an inappropriate technique on you and charged you an arm and a leg for it.
- You lack basic knowledge about the technique and its effects. When you start feeling things happen, you have no idea where it's coming from, and you end up freaking yourself out.
- A massive pile of subconscious emotional baggage surfaces after just one session, and if you don't know how to handle it, there's a high chance you'll lose your mind.
If someone gets "sick from meditation," it’s not the meditation that caused the illness. The issue was already there; meditation just accelerated it. It’s like schizophrenia—in most cases, the person was already dealing with it long before the first symptoms showed up. Meditation just sped up a process that was already unfolding. As for physical ailments popping up after spiritual practice, those are often just manifestations of emotional blocks. At its core, spiritual practice is about finding internal balance and breaking through those blocks. For instance, if someone can't feel love, they likely have a blockage in their heart chakra, which could manifest as heart issues like arrhythmias. If someone feels helpless or invisible, that's a solar plexus blockage, which can lead to stomach issues, nausea, or diarrhea.
Regarding "going crazy"—like I said, the person was already headed that way, but they might have found out ten years from now instead of today. And honestly, what does "crazy" even mean anymore? Don't tell me that just because I see auras, I belong in a psych ward. Symptoms are one thing, but actual disease is something entirely different. A headache can be a symptom of a thousand things; it doesn't automatically mean you have a brain tumor. Besides, it's always easier to call someone "crazy" just because they're different than to admit to yourself that you're missing out on the incredible experiences they're having. If they see the world through a different lens, why should they be the "weird" one and me the "normal" one? Why can't it be the other way around?!
It mostly makes sense...
So, arrhythmia can happen too?
I’ve even heard rumors about people developing addictions from it. It might not be true, though. I read somewhere that it mostly affects guys who are total materialists—you know, the typical Western man living for stuff—and then after meditating for a while, they just get super irritable about everything. From what I understand about Christianity, it doesn't really allow TM. I’m not entirely sure what this meditation actually entails, so could someone please define it for me? How is it different from other types?
This one looks like the simplest option--> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgRPMajdu34
Nancy Wilson2 said:I would argue that there aren't any truly pressing issues here. It is perfectly normal—even expected—for certain suppressed elements, whether they be raw emotions or past traumas, to occasionally bubble up during meditation. Some people might find themselves caught off guard or even slightly overwhelmed by it all, which can certainly cause some distress. However, perhaps that is actually a beneficial part of the process; if one becomes aware of an underlying issue, they finally have the opportunity to address it. Ultimately, it depends on the individual, but my assessment is that the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.
Furthermore, I fail to see why Christianity would prohibit such a practice. There isn't anything inherently at odds with the faith—in fact, from what I understand, meditation can be viewed as just another form of prayer.
"Meditation is simply the practice of focusing your attention on a particular object — generally something simple, like a word or phrase, a candle flame or geometrical figure, or the coming and going of your breath. In everyday life, your mind is constantly processing a barrage of sensations, visual impressions, emotions, and thoughts. When you meditate, you narrow your focus, limit the stimuli bombarding your nervous system — and calm your mind in the process. The reason meditation works so effectively is that it connects you with a spiritual dimension, which different commentators give different names, but many people simply call it 'being.'"
It might all be fine, except for the fact that there seem to be so many cases where people end up becoming mentally unstable...
I know there are tons of threads like this everywhere—maybe too many—but I’m looking for some answers I just haven't been able to find. Is meditation really the only way to awaken consciousness? And does Christianity actually allow meditation (like simple breathwork), and what are the risks involved? I've read stories about people becoming neurotic and ending up in psychiatric care, even though meditation is always pitched as this ultimate source of peace and relaxation.
I tried it once just to dip my toes into the world of meditation, but my heart started racing almost immediately. I felt this sense of paralysis and a light that kept spreading. I had to force myself to stop. Afterward, I was shaking a little. I don't know if I imagined it or what, but it wasn't pleasant. If anyone here has experienced something like this, what am I looking at?