Are you curious about the meanings related to your personal experience of meditation? Is your meditation practice really effective or not? Many newbies and seasoned meditators worldwide have reported about various out of body experiences during meditation.
To clear out the mysteries behind these experiences, we’ve brought you an all-inclusive article on this intriguing topic and provided some essential tips & tricks. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started.
What is an Out of Body Experience During Meditation?
Like any other skill, meditation can be learned and improved with practice. The experiences and sensations felt during meditation vary for each person. Some people achieve deeper states of meditation than others based on their practice and technique. Consistency is key; think of it as strengthening a muscle over time.
Having a meditation coach can be beneficial as they provide guidance on proper techniques. It’s normal for people to lose focus during meditation, which is part of the overall experience. Perfection isn’t the goal; instead, maintaining consistent practice will lead to improvement. With dedication, focusing during meditation becomes easier.
Some Common and Unexpected Experiences during Meditation
Starting meditation without a traditional teacher may lead to unexpected experiences during your initial sessions. Don’t assume that you’ll instantly achieve calmness and relaxation. You might encounter various physical and mental sensations while meditating, and some common ones are:
Monkey Mind
In Buddhism, the Monkey Mind refers to a restless and thought-filled mind. It’s these distractions that practices like Yoga and meditation aim to soothe. This aspect of your mind is closely tied to your ego, so the more you resist it, the stronger it fights for attention. This can be frustrating for beginners and possibly the reason you want to meditate in the first place. Remember that meditation isn’t about silencing all thoughts—it’s about training your mind not to get caught up in them.
Swirling Lights and Synesthesia
During meditation, some people notice swirling lights with closed eyes and even experience synesthesia – perceiving colors associated with sounds, numbers, or words. Research shows that individuals in sensory-deprived environments may also have mild illusions. One theory suggests that a calm mind, unaccustomed to stillness, generates its own auditory and visual experiences or peculiar sensations. However, like the background chatter of your thoughts, these sensations eventually fade, allowing you to embrace the tranquility of meditation.
Tingling Sensations and Body Pressure
As a beginner in meditation, you might experience tingling sensations or pressure on different body parts without any apparent reason. This phenomenon is believed to be caused by the brain generating mild hallucinations to compensate for the reduced sensory input. It could also indicate a release of accumulated stress and trauma from your physical body.
Chilly Hands and Feet
After sitting for a while, it’s normal for your body temperature to drop slightly, especially in your hands and feet. Some meditation experts link this to the Kundalini energy awakening. Kundalini symbolized as a coiled snake at your spine’s base, can be activated through meditation, mantras, or guidance from a spiritual master. It may rise through your body’s central channel and flow through the seven human chakras. Keep a blanket nearby during meditation to stay warm and comfortable.
Spontaneous Movements or Sounds
Meditation is usually a quiet practice, but sometimes unexpected movements or sounds can occur. It’s common for people to make involuntary noises or gestures while meditating, as it’s a sign of releasing built-up tension and trauma. Meditation teachers consider this normal and even beneficial.
If you experience spontaneous actions during meditation, don’t get attached or alarmed by them. As long as they aren’t harmful, it’s best to let them happen and continue with your practice.
Feeling Disoriented and Energy Waves
Meditation helps you connect with your subtle, energetic body, which is usually hidden by your physical senses. As you access this energy for the first time, your brain may perceive disorientation or sensations of expansion. You might also experience heat, nausea, or headaches as your body adjusts to meditation. These feelings may take days or weeks to subside, but with regular practice, everything will settle down.
Some Other Examples of Meditation Experience
Sleepiness
It’s normal to feel drowsy during meditation. Sometimes you might experience bliss, other times fatigue. Don’t be too hard on yourself – it happens.
Foggy Mind
Feeling confused or dull in meditation is common. Just go with the flow and continue. Don’t take it personally. The journey may have its ups and downs, but you’re in it for the long run. Observe and accept the situation as is.
Boredom
Sometimes a short amount of time in meditation feels endless. For unknown reasons, time seems to slow down while meditating, making it a peculiar yet not uncomfortable experience.
Inspiration
Meditation often brings clarity and harmony, with brilliant ideas surfacing and a clear vision of your next work. Avoid plunging into that creative space during meditation, as it disrupts the process. Stay focused on letting go.
Peacefulness
Meditation offers deep relaxation, dissolving worries, problems, resentments, and past hurts. Life feels carefree and serene, like a sunny tropical paradise. Embrace this feeling without clinging to it.
Joy
Experiencing bliss is common during meditation. It’s like a sudden burst of energy flowing through you, filling you with euphoria and appreciation for life. Embrace the feeling without losing focus.
Awe
Meditation can awaken a sense of wonder about life and your existence – an experience unique to meditation. You notice the harmonious order in everything and feel fortunate to be in the present moment, savoring every bit of it.
Stillness
True stillness in meditation is remarkable and elusive. As you become still, it feels like you vanish and merge with everything around you – the inner and outer worlds unite as one. Be careful not to disrupt this fragile state; simply let go into unity.
| Just Remember! |
| The experience of meditation can’t be reduced to just mental and physical feelings. There’s an indescribable aspect to it that goes deeper. Many spiritual practitioners describe meditation as feeling divine or transcendent. They believe they’re connecting with a non-material world beyond our own.Ultimately, the full range of emotions experienced during meditation can’t be captured by words alone. Various traditions and religions have their own ways of expressing it. Something about meditation surpasses our language limitations, and that’s part of its allure. |
Experiencing “Negative” Side-Effects of Meditation
Meditation programs often warn about potential side effects, which can appear after several days of intense practice. A 2017 study by Brown University and the University of California researchers analyzed 60 meditators. The findings showed that meditation can lead to unexpected negative side effects, impacting emotions, sensory awareness, social interactions, self-identity, and more.
Some participants reported negative experiences, including:
- Hallucinations
- Irritability and panic
- Loss of motivation
- Anti-social behavior
- Reliving traumatic memories
The increase in such reports might be linked to the growing popularity of secular meditation practices without a trained meditation teacher’s guidance. Meditation is an ancient spiritual practice, and traditional Yoga masters believe that only those with proper instruction should teach Yoga and meditation.
Meditation can present unexpected challenges different from the expected bliss and inner peace. Traditional meditation teachers have studied for years and can address these negative side effects. Buddhist traditions view these experiences as signals that your body is entering a deeper meditative state.
Unfortunately, free guided meditations and apps might lack this important human element to assist you during these common yet unexpected experiences in meditation.
How to Practice an Out of Body Experience Guided Meditation?
There are various types of meditation, but the core principles remain consistent. Begin your guided meditation out of body experience by learning these basics:
Find a quiet space
Choose a quiet, distraction-free location for meditation. Remove potential distractions like phones and gadgets. Play soft, repetitive music if it helps. For nursing mothers, meditate when their child is asleep or cared for by someone trusted.
Set a short time limit
Begin with 5-10 minute sessions. Gradually increase the duration as you become more comfortable.
Get comfortable and be mindful of your body
Select a sitting position you can maintain for an extended period, such as sitting cross-legged on the floor or in a comfy chair.
Focus on your breath
Take deep breaths, expanding your belly and exhaling slowly. Pay attention to how each breath feels.
Observe your thoughts
Don’t analyze or judge your thoughts; simply let them come and go. If your focus wavers, gently bring it back to your breath.
Scientifically-Proven Benefits of Meditation
Meditation offers valuable experiences that can alter your perception and reactions. Studies reveal it has numerous psychological and physical effects, such as:
Enhanced Focus and Awareness
Meditation helps you ignore distractions, ultimately boosting your focus and awareness levels.
Stress Relief
Setting aside time to relax and meditate can significantly reduce stress, making you feel refreshed and free from work responsibilities.
Improved Emotional Health
Regular meditation helps to reduce feelings of worry or f, leading to better emotional well-being overall.
Managing Health Issues
Combining meditation with proper medications can help manage problems like depression, anxiety disorders, insomnia, and high blood pressure.
Boosting Fluid Intelligence
Meditating prompts new ideas and perspectives, enhancing our intelligence over time. This exposure to new concepts broadens our knowledge base.
7 Simple Practices to Enhance the Experience of Meditation
Despite regular meditation practice, your mind might still get lost in thoughts. To enhance your meditation experience, it’s crucial to learn proper techniques and go beyond.
Brighten someone’s day
Helping others in need brings a sense of satisfaction and happiness, creating positive energy within you. This self-expansion through acts of kindness raises your vibrations, easing anxiety and enhancing meditation experiences.
Embrace the quietness
Witnessing a sunrise in silence allows you to feel a sense of oneness and serenity within. Appreciating nature’s beauty reflects inner peace, calming the mind which aids meditation.
Nurture your body with Yoga
Restlessness during meditation can be caused by physical stiffness from long working hours. Yoga helps release this tension, promoting relaxation and enabling deeper meditation.
Be mindful of your diet
The food you consume affects your meditation quality. For better results, choose a healthy diet rich in grains, vegetables, fruits, salads, and soups – catered to your needs, easily digestible, and high in life force (prana).
Sing for yourself
Music influences emotions; singing in spiritual gatherings purifies the heart and promotes a sense of expansion. It quiets the chattering mind for enhanced meditation experiences.
Establish a meditation routine
Discipline and regular practice at a consistent time is crucial for deepening your meditation experience.
Take advantage of guided meditations
Guided sessions allow someone else to lead you through your practice, helping to quiet your mind and enhance your overall experience.
Meditation Tips for Beginners
New meditators may encounter unexpected out of body experience through meditation that seems intimidating, but usually, they’re gentle and occur when you’re prepared to handle them.
To minimize negative sensations and maintain your meditation practice, follow these tips:
Get a check-up
Ensure that issues like dizziness or headaches aren’t caused by underlying health problems.
Identify distractions
Recognize when your mind is trying to disrupt meditation and when urgent matters require your attention.
Prioritize self-care
Address personal concerns before you meditate by relaxing with a hot tea or enjoying a massage.
Do Yoga asanas before meditation
Prepare for meditation stillness by releasing excess energy through Yoga exercises.
Trust your instincts
Rely on your intuition for guidance during meditation, especially when deciding to modify or stop specific meditation techniques for your well-being.
Maintain neutrality
Give equal importance to both positive and negative experiences during meditation without any attachment or expectation to avoid prolonging it unnecessarily.
Meditate regularly
Build consistency through daily practice, starting with short sessions and gradually increasing their duration.
FAQ’s
What do you feel after meditating?
Once you get used to meditating, you’ll experience calmness, relaxation, and even feelings of happiness. This natural high from meditation helps control your emotions and tackle tough situations.
What’s the first meditation experience like?
The initial powerful meditation experience is feeling something beyond your body and mind. After that, you’ll experience your heart opening up. The third significant experience in meditation is discovering your higher self or spirit.
How does transcendental meditation out of body experience feel?
Transcendental meditation out-of-body experience feels like a deep state of relaxation and detachment from your physical body. You may sense a floating or flying sensation and perceive the world from a different perspective. This experience can be deeply calming, leading to increased self-awareness and spiritual insights.
How do you have a deep meditation experience?
5 Tips for Deeper Meditation Practice:
- Set an intention before each meditation
- Keep the momentum with the “1 Minute Meditation”
- Pay attention to your interest level
- Use a regular meditation spot as an “anchor”
- Try different techniques
How can I tell if meditation is working?
An early sign that you’re meditating correctly is increased awareness. This means you become more aware of your environment, thoughts, and feelings. You may notice new things or start paying attention to aspects you’d usually ignore.
Why do I feel happy after meditating?
Meditation increases feel-good brain chemicals like oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin while reducing cortisol levels associated with fear and stress. As a result, you’ll feel happier and less stressed over time.
Conclusion
We hope this article has clarified some emotions and feelings that you could relate to your personal experience of meditation practice.
Meditation encompasses various unexpected sensations that are absolutely normal occurrences. With the proper guidance from a teacher, you can manage these experiences and continue your practice.
*It’s important to remember that meditation involves more than just using breathwork to enter a meditative state. Every session is unique, and there is no single meditative feeling.
