My experiences with Meditation

Continuing My Meditation Series with Chapter 3: My Personal Journey with Vipassana Meditation

While continuing my experiments with different forms of meditation, I came across Vipassana around 2015. I suddenly got an opportunity to join the Vipassana camp in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to disconnect from the world completely? No phone, no talking, no eye contact—just you and your thoughts. That’s precisely what I encountered during my first Vipassana meditation retreat—an experience that pushed me to my limits yet transformed me in ways I never expected. It was by far the most intense mental and emotional challenge I have ever faced. But it was also deeply transformative.

I had always been curious about Vipassana meditation techniques, but nothing could have prepared me for the actual experience.

What is Vipassana meditation?

Vipassana is an old Buddhist tradition of Meditation, as was taught by Gautam Buddha himself. It is an ancient science based meditation technique that focuses on self-awareness, inner peace, and observing reality as it is, without judgment. I had heard a lot about it and it sounded like the toughest experience out there, more of an adventure than meditation.

Many people think that one session of Vipassana and you become a sanyasi on a yogic path like Gautam Buddha. Frankly, it is a stupid conception but about that later, first, let me elaborate on my experience with Vipassana. 

How Vipassana Mediation Challenges You Every Minute.

Vipassana is seriously a mind-blowing experience and the toughest thing I ever did in my life. One has to completely dedicate to the session for 10 days and stay in the ashram during this period.

The first few days were incredibly tough. Here’s what made it particularly challenging:

1. Silence & Isolation: No communication meant I had to face my thoughts head-on. It felt overwhelming at first.
2. Physical Discomfort: Sitting for long hours during Vipassana retreat practices tested my endurance. My back and legs ached, but I had to persist.
3. Mental Turmoil: Without distractions, my mind became a whirlwind of emotions, memories, and thoughts. I had to learn how to observe them without reacting.

Program highlights are: Wake up every morning at 4 a.m., not talk to anyone for 10 days (of course which means no mobiles or tv allowed), and last meal at 12 noon – no dinner, only a snack in the evening… Well, all are deal breakers for me. I am not a morning person, in fact, I can’t even wake up at 9 easily, forget about 4 am. To me, 4 in the morning means not sleeping the whole night. 😀

I will never know how I woke up at dot 4 am during Vipassana. Many a time, I take a pause and reminisces about this lifetime achievement of mine. It is still unbelievable!!! Then comes the food part, I am someone who is perennially hungry, someone who starts planning for dinner immediately after lunch. 😀 I did keep a few biscuits with me for an emergency, but the instructors stress on truthfulness, so I reluctantly decided to not go ahead with it. Anyhow, one day in meditation and I stopped having any cravings or hunger pangs. Yeah! it is that effective. Soon, it got easier to continue with the food schedule. Once again, I here take a pause to wonder about my achievement. With so many pauses, I wonder if this is my slowest written article ever 😀

What more? Hmmm, not talking to anyone was not a deal-breaker, as I have a strange combination of a chatterbox and statuesque personality. So acquiring one personality for a small period of time is not so tough.

And yeah, I forgot the most important part. The whole day, just meditation. And meditating is not about mantra recitation or counting breaths, which if you ask me is far easier. No, instead it is just observing yourself (better to learn the exact process by joining the meditation camp). Meditation from morning 4 to night 9, with just a few breaks in between. Every minute of the day you have to observe yourself, with no one to audit. No one to see if you are following the instructions properly. For dreamers, all this will be a cakewalk. But the onus is on you. If you want to see the power of this meditation, you would dare not cheat. And that makes the process tougher. Your will power is continuously trained and tested.

How I overcome my first couple of days.

I have no idea how I was able to sit there for such a long duration. The first few days felt like a battle with my own mind, every moment I would think of quitting. In fact, some did quit during this period.

Initially, I had just one motivation, to cure my health concerns. My breathing and migraine issues were not frequent anymore but I wanted a healthy life. I had issues with heavy breathing since childhood. Heavy breathing would lead to panic – that breathing can stop anytime. A vicious cycle of breathing and panic attacks.

So the initial motivation was a healthy life but this motivation is not strong enough after a couple of days. Instead, I started challenging myself every day. Just one more day, and I will be the best in the world 😀. Well, after that 10-day session my confidence is at a different level now 😎. This experience has also taught me the golden sutra – One day at a time is the way to live life.

Challenges Faced During the Retreat

To outsiders it sounds simple, you just have to sit there the whole day, what is so difficult about it?

No dear, sitting simply the whole day thinking and dreaming may be easy, but to not think is quite tough. Try if you want. I wanted to get the best out of this once a lifetime opportunity. If it was as miraculous as it was known to be, then I have this one opportunity to get it right. Hence I would not just sit, I would try to meditate as much as possible. By the last day, I was able to meditate for long hours. To avoid you assuming anything further, let me tell you clearly, except for in Vipassana camp I was never able to replicate such long states of Meditation ever again. Yeah, so that’s what I meant by – you cannot be Buddha with just one 10-day camp.

Frankly, the breakthrough happened around the fifth day when I started truly understanding the essence of mindfulness practices. I realized that meditation techniques like breath awareness with the Anapana meditation and the deeper body scanning helped me stay present.

Lessons Learned from Vipassana Meditation

Meditation helps you achieve inner peace and self-control. Vipassana especially makes you less reactive and more active. By the final day, I felt like a different person—more aware, more at peace, and more in control of my thoughts. It is the art of not reacting to our situations, instead, observing and carefully choosing our actions. If you want this to be further elaborated with examples, let me know in the comment section.

Coming back to my experience, not only did I successfully complete it once, but I also went for Vipassana in 2017 again in Hyderabad. Yes, I did it twice, and each time was equally adventurous, and life changing.

Vipassana has been one of the most beautiful experiences of my life and had a positive impact on my health and personality for more than a year (without the daily follow-ups). I continued with the meditation after the program for a few days afterward, but the daily schedule was again a concern. They recommend 1-hour sessions twice a day. And I again digressed. I loved Vipassana, and I regret not being able to practice it continually. They may not even allow me a 3rd time, as I have not been practicing it regularly. Also, they do not encourage mixing 2 different kinds of meditations.

While I have continued to my next chapter of Meditation, I still regret putting a full stop to my Vipassana chapter. If only, I was able to continue with it daily…

I believe that every person has a type of meditation that suits them, and I was on a journey to find my right one. All the techniques I have encountered till now are really good ones, and I have now settled with the Isha Shambhavi Mahamudra. I will soon write about this experience as well.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you could take on this challenge, I encourage you to explore it. Have you experienced Vipassana or considered it? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

An excerpt on Vipassana: Vipassana, which means to see things as they really are, is one of India’s ancient techniques of meditation. It was taught in India more than 2500 years ago as a universal remedy for universal ills by Gautam Buddha. In the modern-day, it was reintroduced and taught by S.N. Goenka, in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin. The technique of Vipassana Meditation is taught at ten-day residential courses during which participants learn the basics of the method, and practice sufficiently to experience its beneficial results.

I share reflections on personal growth, inner clarity, and navigating change—quietly and thoughtfully.
You’re welcome to connect with me on [Instagram] or [Facebook].

Tags: More on My Experiences with Meditation & Spirituality

Next In the Meditation Series is Chapter 2: My Experiences with Pranic Healing

Stress, anxiety, and emotional turmoil are things we all experience at some point in life. After a challenging phase, I found myself seeking a way to regain inner peace and clarity. That’s when I discovered Pranic Healing Meditation, a practice that not only helped me manage stress but also transformed my emotional well-being.

Understanding Pranic Healing

Pranic Healing is an energy-based therapeutic approach that focuses on the body’s life force, or “prana,” to promote physical, emotional, and mental well-being. By cleansing and energizing the body’s energy centers, known as chakras, this method facilitates the removal of negative energies, paving the way for self-healing.

My heart chakra was out of control, as was evident to many energy practitioners. And this technique appeared at a right time in my life.

A little about The Practice of Meditation on Twin Hearts

At the heart of Pranic Healing lies the Meditation on Twin Hearts, developed by Master Choa Kok Sui. This guided meditation focuses on activating two crucial chakras—the heart chakra (for emotional healing) and the crown chakra (for spiritual connection). By practicing this meditation, individuals can channel divine energy, radiate loving-kindness, and bring peace to both themselves and the world around them.

Watch this video to know more in depth about Pranic Healing

Why This Meditation is Transformative

• Reduces stress and anxiety by balancing emotional energies
• Improves mental clarity and decision-making abilities
• Enhances emotional resilience and promotes inner calm
• Strengthens spiritual connection, fostering a sense of purpose and peace

My Personal Experience with Pranic Healing

My time with Pranic Healing was helpful, I was noticing changes. My mind felt lighter, my emotions became more stable, and I found myself reacting less to external stressors.

One of the most profound moments came when I realized that the anger and frustration I once held onto had significantly diminished. This shift impacted my relationships, my work, and my overall outlook on life. Pranic Healing Meditation had become more than a practice—it became a tool for inner transformation.

Benefits of Pranic Healing

But before that, let me tell you that my experience with Pranic Healing was also good. I got a deeper experiential understanding of energy and my heart chakra got strengthened. In layman’s terms, I was enjoying life more and had become a positive happy person, which is my basic self. I was able to experience Inner Peace, and stress had reduced. Also, it seems to me, that this mediation opened the way towards psychological treatment. I never entertained the thought of visiting a psychologist before.

What Are The Scientific Insights into Pranic Meditation

Research indicates that practices like the Meditation on Twin Hearts can lead to significant health benefits. Studies have shown that:

• Regular meditation increases serotonin and melatonin levels, which help regulate mood and sleep.
• Brain scans reveal improved cognitive function and increased activity in areas associated with happiness and emotional stability.
• Practitioners experience lower stress hormone levels, leading to reduced anxiety and improved mental well-being.

How You Can Get Started

If you’re looking for a way to manage stress, improve focus, or enhance your emotional well-being, Pranic Healing Meditation is a great place to start. Here’s how:

1. Find a guided session – Look for online resources or trained instructors to help you through the Meditation on Twin Hearts.
2. Set a quiet space – Choose a peaceful environment where you won’t be disturbed.
3. Commit to consistency – Practicing even 10-15 minutes daily can bring noticeable benefits.
4. Observe your transformation – Track changes in your mood, thoughts, and reactions over time.

but it was helping me only when I was regular with the meditation. This is a fact I learned about meditation – It is not like once you do a few sessions you have got armor for life. Sorry, but it is not that easy. You have to make these techniques a part of your day-to-day life, and rebuild the armor every single day.

With this new mediation, my depression was controlled. My health was getting better, I could see changes in my mood and the way I looked at things. Perspectives were getting better.

My journey with Pranic Healing Meditation has been life-changing. Through this practice, I found inner peace, emotional resilience, and a deeper connection to myself and the world. If you’re struggling with stress or seeking clarity, I encourage you to explore Pranic Healing—it might just be the key to unlocking a more balanced and fulfilling life.

So all those who would like to pursue the path of Pranic healing, I do recommend it. In my case, after a short time, I realized that I do not want to go for guided mediation and I also felt that this is not what I was looking for.

I was not able to continue a daily schedule of Meditation. I have never been a consistent person and maintaining a daily schedule about anything has never been easy. With job it was even more difficult, especially because I am not an early riser. I know it is foolish, to not do something when your whole life depends on it. And you have yourself experienced its benefits. Well, I don’t know what to say except that I did try many times. 😀

Meanwhile, I went to a psychologist and got a 6 months’ treatment for my depression. It seems like a permanent fix, I was never again depressed for more than a day or 2. Days or weeks of depression are common, but if it is months or years then better refer to a psychologist. We all have bad days but they should pass on. If it is lasting for a long time, then that means we have messed up our internal chemistry. It is always better to take medication to resolve it and get back to our lives.

After the medication, life was as usual. I would do a meditation session once in a blue moon, try some Youtube videos for guided mediation and live my normal life. By then I had already realized that Meditation is not only an extra layer of protection but also makes life beautiful. It is not only helpful in dealing with serious stress or depression-related episodes but also with daily problems of life. Our regular lifestyle is such, that a lot of irritation and frustration creeps in. We tend to make decisions based on our mood. Our anger levels are always short-circuited. And patience is never there when needed. So my next chapter of Meditation was bound to be written.

Embracing the Journey

My journey into Pranic Healing meditation has been transformative, offering tools to navigate life’s challenges with grace and resilience. For those seeking a holistic approach to well-being, exploring Pranic Healing and its meditative practices may provide profound benefits.

Are you ready to embark on this journey? Let me know in the comments if you’ve tried Pranic Healing Meditation or if you have any questions

An excerpt on Pranic Healing: Pranic Healing is a system of natural healing techniques that uses prana to treat illness. It is a synthesis of ancient, esoteric healing methods that have been rediscovered, researched, and tested by the founder of Modern Pranic Healing, Grand Master Choa Kok Sui. Meditation on Twin Hearts works on the physical, mental, and spiritual levels to open the heart chakra (the emotional heart) and the crown chakra (the spiritual heart), thereby enabling you to draw down a great amount of high-quality divine energy into the crown. The prana that this meditation produces greatly promotes physical and mental health as well as inner illumination.

I share reflections on personal growth, inner clarity, and navigating change—quietly and thoughtfully.
You’re welcome to connect with me on [Instagram] or [Facebook].

I share reflections on personal growth, inner clarity, and navigating change—quietly and thoughtfully.
You’re welcome to connect with me on [Instagram] or [Facebook].

Tags: More on My Experiences with Meditation & Spirituality

My Experiences with Meditation

Meditation Series: Chapter 1 – ‘Art of Living’

I thought meditation would heal me. Instead, it took me on an unexpected rollercoaster—one that left me questioning everything.

I started my spiritual journey in 2009 when both my professional and personal life were in shambles. I was physically, mentally, and emotionally burnt out. But asking for help? That was alien to me. I had always believed I could handle everything on my own. However, anxiety attacks and migraines forced me to accept that it was high time for a change. As countless self-help books suggested, I turned to the most recommended solution for stress—meditation. And so, my journey began…

The Highs: My First Meditation Experience

My first experiment with meditation was with the ‘Art of Living’ course, specifically the Sudarshan Kriya, a combination of breathing exercises and meditation. I enrolled in a five-day course, spending an hour daily in deep practice and spiritual sessions.

Oh my! It was magical. If you begin a meditation practice during a high-stress period, the impact is drastic and immediate. Stress melts away, the world seems brighter, and optimism flows effortlessly. I could physically feel the transformation. My body felt lighter, my mind clearer, and my confidence restored.

One meditation course, and I felt reborn. It was a miracle!

The Turning Point: The Euphoria That Led to Big Decisions

The surge of confidence that followed was intoxicating. I felt invincible, ready to take charge of my life. But what I didn’t realize was that drastic changes made in a high-emotional state can have lasting consequences.

In that newfound boldness, I made two life-altering decisions—I ended my relationship and quit my job. Did I regret them? Not exactly. Looking back, it feels like destiny played its part. I found another job, moved on, and even enjoyed a few months of relaxation. But then, reality hit me hard.

The sudden changes and emotional upheaval led me into a deep depression. That’s when I realized that the powerful effects of meditation need to be handled with care. The initial euphoria can be overwhelming—like getting too much power without being trained for it. And if you don’t continue practicing, like I didn’t, you are left hanging between two worlds.

The Struggle: Why I Couldn’t Keep It Up

I tried to maintain my meditation practice, but it wasn’t easy. I would either lose count of breaths or fall asleep mid-way. 😆

The experience was so profound the first time that I kept chasing that same high, but it never returned in the same way. Now, I understand why people compare meditation to an addiction—not because it’s harmful, but because once you’ve tasted that deep peace, you crave it again and again.

With time and wisdom, I’ve realized that meditation isn’t about chasing an extraordinary high—it’s about consistency. Any meditation technique works as long as it is done regularly.

The Crash: Returning to Square One

Because I wasn’t consistent, my migraines and breathing issues resurfaced over the next two years. While they weren’t as severe, they were still a constant reminder of what I had lost. Professionally, things were fine, but personally, I felt emotionally drained.

Stress at work is manageable. But when personal relationships suffer, the emotional turmoil is far more intense. I realized that meditation itself hadn’t led me into depression—stopping it did. The sudden highs and lows made me vulnerable. We are not used to such drastic inner shifts in a short time.

Lessons Learned: Finding My Own Path

I eventually accepted that Sudarshan Kriya wasn’t for me. Don’t get me wrong—it’s an incredible technique. I still recommend it to others, including my brother. But meditation is personal. What works for one person may not work for another.

This realization marked the beginning of a new chapter—my search for the meditation technique that truly aligns with me.

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A Note on ‘Art of Living’

‘Art of Living’ is a global foundation headquartered in Bangalore, India. Founded by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in 1981, its Sudarshan Kriya technique has transformed millions of lives worldwide.

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Final Thoughts

Looking back, I don’t regret my journey. Meditation gave me incredible insights, but I learned the hard way that it isn’t a quick fix. It’s not about chasing bliss—it’s about building resilience, one breath at a time.

If you’re starting your meditation journey, my advice? Go slow. Stay consistent. And find the practice that feels right for YOU.

I share reflections on personal growth, inner clarity, and navigating change—quietly and thoughtfully.
You’re welcome to connect with me on [Instagram] or [Facebook].

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Tag: More on My Experiences with Meditation & Spirituality

Meditation: A Journey or a Trap?

I used to believe that meditation was a path to peace. And in many ways, it is. But in today’s world, where meditation has turned into an industry, there are also those who prey on seekers looking for calm. Some of them wear flowing robes, some brand themselves as “enlightened,” and others make grand promises of instant awakening. But here’s the truth—real meditation doesn’t work that way.

If you think Meditation is like a pill, when taken regularly can make one enlightened being, then God bless you. It is far from the truth. Let’s take the instance of Hinduism, the most notorious villain of Hindu Mythology – Ravan. He was a great scholar and someone who meditated for years to please Shiva. In fact, there are many stories of Rakshasas (demons) meditating for years to achieve an evil gain. Even in the modern era, aren’t many so-called Gurus known for their exploitation tactics rather than their wisdom?

It is obvious Meditation is not the magical potion to convert yourself to goodness. My experience – it is a transformational tool but just that – a tool. And a tool is dependent on the user’s discretion. That is why we should not consider someone a saint just because they practiced Meditation regularly, or read religious books, and performed rituals.

The beauty of Meditation is it calms our mind, increases our concentration, and increases our mental capacity. But I may apply my newfound focus on finding ways to fool people, who knows. It does increase compassion and goodness and make people better humans. But for that to happen there needs to be the seed of goodness somewhere. If a person has been so wrapped up with his anger that he didn’t pay heed to his compassionate self. Meditation will resolve that. As it will get you a grip on your anger and let your inner beauty take over.

Many beautiful miracles sprout from the seed of Meditation when practiced progressively. But these are applicable only to those who have an inner compass pointing towards goodness. Thus, enjoy the supreme beauty of Meditation, but do not lock your common sense within.

Why Do People Fall for Fake Gurus?

It’s simple—because we’re searching. We want peace, clarity, or an escape from stress. And when someone presents themselves as the answer to all our problems, it’s tempting to believe them. But meditation doesn’t work overnight, and no external guru can do the work for you.

What to Look for in a Genuine Meditation Teacher

✔️ They encourage self-awareness – A true teacher helps you understand yourself rather than making you dependent on them.

✔️ They have verifiable experience – Check their credentials, their journey, and whether they have a solid practice backing their claims.

✔️ They don’t demand blind faith – Meditation is about awareness, not submission. If you’re told to follow without question, it’s a red flag.

✔️ They teach simple, accessible practices – Real meditation doesn’t need theatrics. It should be something you can do on your own, without expensive tools or rituals.

I have always believed in the goodness in people and have met trustworthy people. But it helps when I don’t assume beforehand if someone is good or bad, I just let life and my intuition guide me. It hurts me to know when someone gets duped in the name of spirituality. A little common sense can go a long way with all kinds of people.

Final Thoughts: Stay Mindful, Stay Free

Meditation is a transformative tool, but in the wrong hands, it can become a trap. Stay mindful—not just in your practice, but in choosing who you trust on your spiritual path.

Have you ever encountered a questionable meditation teacher? Share your story in the comments below! 👇

I share reflections on personal growth, inner clarity, and navigating change—quietly and thoughtfully.
You’re welcome to connect with me on [Instagram] or [Facebook].

Tags: More on my experiences with Meditation & Spirituality

Meditation is widely spoken about as a path to calm, clarity, and emotional strength.
For many people, it truly is.

My own life changed significantly once I developed a regular meditation practice. It helped me slow down, observe myself more clearly, and feel less controlled by constant mental noise. I continue to value meditation deeply.

And yet, over time, I began noticing something we rarely talk about.

Not everyone’s experience with meditation is gentle or stabilising—especially in the beginning.

Why this conversation about meditation safety matters

Occasionally, media reports surface about people who experienced panic attacks, emotional instability, extreme detachment, or confusion after intensive meditation practices. These stories are often dismissed or quickly buried, partly because they sit uncomfortably beside the overwhelming evidence of meditation’s benefits.

Most research focuses on positive outcomes—and rightly so. But when a practice is powerful, its side effects, even if rare, deserve attention.

Ignoring these experiences doesn’t protect meditation.
It leaves certain people unprepared and unsupported.

Despite growing research on meditation’s benefits like the recent Berkeley research cited here, these difficult experiences are often dismissed. They deserve discussion, not silence.

Is meditation harmful or unsafe for some people?

For the vast majority of people, meditation is beneficial.

But a more honest question might be:
Is meditation neutral for everyone, at every stage of life, in every mental state?

Even meditation teachers acknowledge that the same practice affects people differently. Some feel calmer. Some more intuitive. Some emotionally lighter. Others experience intense emotional release, fear, or disorientation.

Just as food, exercise, or medication doesn’t affect all bodies the same way, inner practices don’t affect all minds the same way either.

A small minority may experience difficulty—not because meditation is “bad,” but because inner change arrived faster than their ability to integrate it.

Let us come to the point – What can actually go wrong? Hidden challenges and risks of meditation

1. The power of meditation

First of all, meditation is truly powerful. Those who have experienced it know this.

It will not make you enlightened overnight. But it can influence the body and mind in subtle ways. Many spiritual traditions even believe it can open the third eye or lead to unusual experiences like visions. Don’t worry—this is not common. But imagine not knowing any of this, and suddenly experiencing unfamiliar sensations or inner messages. Wouldn’t that be frightening? How would I know whether I am being delusional, or whether something within me has suddenly changed?

If I am alone at night and hear a sound in my head, I might think I am going mad. Even a small, unrelated noise—because of heightened awareness—could be misinterpreted as a message.

2. Suppressed trauma from the past, or underlying mental health vulnerabilities, are not uncommon. The mind suppresses emotions because, at some point, they felt unmanageable. What will happen when the suppressed problems start resurfacing?

When meditation brings them back to the surface, the mind may now be more aware—but the tools to process those emotions may still be missing. What happens then?

3. Meditation also initiates a path of detachment. For centuries, people have left households to follow the path of yogis. Detachment can be deeply helpful—it frees us from greed, temptation, and crowded thinking. But these patterns have also been part of our life for a long time.

Consider a prosperous criminal who suddenly decides to transform. He may genuinely change, but the world around him has not. People remain suspicious. Without his power or money, he may no longer be respected. Can he survive this sudden shift? Such transformations often come with short-term hardship, and without guidance, they can be destabilising.

4. We are also often addicted to relationships. Sometimes we fall in love simply to feel valued or appreciated. What happens to these relationships if we suddenly become emotionally stronger and no longer depend on others for validation? Would some connections dissolve? Could we end up alone—for a while—before building healthier bonds?

5. And then there is society. Someone may leave a high-stress but prestigious job that others admire. Or step away from a marriage that has long been toxic. Society may see this not as growth, but as foolishness. I am not saying society should dictate our choices—but when judgment or ridicule arrives suddenly, support becomes crucial.

These are some of the ways meditation can be transformative.
But if such changes are not understood or supported during sensitive phases, they can become deeply unsettling.

So, what is the solution to these meditation risks?

Meditation itself isn’t the problem.
Lack of preparation and support is.

Meditation is powerful because it changes how we relate to our thoughts, emotions, and identity. Any practice that works at this depth needs the same care we would give to physical or emotional healing. The risks don’t come from meditation alone, but from entering deep inner change without context, guidance, or grounding.

Some safeguards matter more than others.

1. Start gently, not intensely

Not every mind needs silence, long hours, or forceful techniques right away.
Gentle practices help the nervous system settle before awareness deepens. In fact, many experienced meditation teachers begin with safer techniques and move to advanced practices only after stability develops.

When intensity comes too early, awareness can expand faster than emotional stability. Slower beginnings allow the mind to adapt, rather than react.

Progress in inner work is not about speed. It is about stability.

2. Balance awareness with emotional grounding

Meditation increases awareness—but awareness alone does not automatically bring resolution.

As buried emotions, memories, or fears surface, people also need ways to process them. Grounding practices, reflection, journaling, body awareness, or simple conversations help translate inner insight into emotional understanding.

Without grounding, awareness can feel overwhelming. With grounding, it becomes meaningful.

3. Seek guidance when change feels confusing

Guidance does not mean dependence. It means orientation.

A trusted meditation teacher, spiritual mentor, therapist, or counselor can help distinguish between:

• temporary discomfort and deeper distress
• healthy detachment and emotional withdrawal
• inner growth and psychological overload

This kind of guidance helps people stay connected to reality while inner perspectives shift.

4. Choose community over isolation

Meditation is often practised alone—but transformation should not be.

Community provides normalization. When people hear others speak honestly about confusion, fear, or disorientation, they stop assuming something is “wrong” with them.

Some institutions offer weekly or monthly group meetings for this reason. These spaces don’t need to be profound. They just need to be human and real.

Isolation amplifies fear. Shared experience softens it.

5. Talk openly about difficult experiences

The silence around meditation difficulties does more harm than the difficulties themselves.

When negative or unsettling experiences are hidden or dismissed, people internalize shame. When they are spoken about openly, they become understandable—and manageable.

Open discussion leads to better teaching, safer practices, and more research. Avoiding the topic delays progress for everyone.

6. Involve medical or psychological support when needed

Meditation is not a replacement for medical or psychological care.

If someone experiences intense anxiety, panic, dissociation, or physical symptoms, spiritual insight alone may not be enough. In such cases, professional help provides grounding and safety.

There is no conflict between inner work and medical support. Both serve the same purpose: well-being.

7. Stay connected to everyday life

Even when meditation is practised privately, everyday support matters.

Friends and family don’t need to understand meditation deeply. They just need to be present—people who can notice changes, offer reassurance, or step in when someone feels overwhelmed.

Inner growth does not require disappearing from life. It requires staying connected while changing.

A responsibility meditation spaces cannot ignore

Ideally, meditation centres should offer more than techniques.
They should offer integration support.

Separate counselling or guidance spaces for those struggling during meditation would prevent unnecessary suffering. Clear guidelines for safe practice, gradual progression, and emotional readiness would benefit not just meditators—but society as a whole.

In a world where many people are already carrying unprocessed emotional weight, support is not optional. It is essential.

A quiet reminder

Meditation asks for openness, but not the suspension of judgment. Discernment and practicality are part of any genuine path.

You may also find this useful: Don’t be fooled by charlatan meditators.

A quiet note of care

If meditation has ever left you feeling confused, detached, anxious, or overwhelmed, you haven’t failed—and you’re not broken.

Sometimes, growth simply needs containment.

And sometimes, clarity comes not from more practice, but from reflection, conversation, and support.

I share reflections on personal growth, inner clarity, and navigating change—quietly and thoughtfully.
You’re welcome to connect with me on [Instagram] or [Facebook].