- This topic is empty.
-
Posts
-
I am currently on my week 4 of the meditation practice. I am doing sitting and standing meditation. I am trying to concentrate on the different parts of the head this week, like in the instructions, but I keep noticing that I get tension in my third eye. And I feel generally disturbed afterward.
I really started this meditation circle because I wanted to learn inner dissolving, as a tool to heal my inner emotional problems and maybe go beyond after that. But recently, I have read in Bruce’s book, “Relaxing Into Your Being”, that these practices might not be ok for people who have emotional problems, and that these must be cleared first before one could start. So I began to doubt if these practices are right for me.
What can this tension in my third eye be? And does anyone know more about the general state that one must have before one could engage in taoist meditation?
Thanks!
I don’t know about tension in the 3rd eye. I’ve been doing a lot of things with Bruce and his students for a long time. I would recommend that you find a capable teacher if you want to pursue Taoist meditation. However, it’s hard to find a teacher to work with. I waited almost 2 years until I had the opportunity to do a retreat with Bruce to really get into inner dissolving. Even after that, it’s taken me a while to really get it going. Almost everything that Bruce teaches publicly (not that I know anything about what he might teach privately or even if he does teach privately) is safe, but when you get into the area of the mind and emotions, you really need to work with someone you trust. Bruce has some pretty scary stories about people who did some serious damage to themselves through various tantric practices. Another approach would be to work with a therapist to figure out whatever emotional problems you think you have before starting meditation. Many schools of zen require therapy of anyone who wants to join, so it’s an idea not without precedent. Good luck with your search.
These practices are probably not safe for anyone with a serious diagnose of mental illness: schizophrenia, bi-polar, etc. Aside from that catagory, I think other emotional problems fall into a grey area. I think it’s normal for most of us to have some sort of ’emotional problem’ from various experiences in life, so it may depend in part on the nature and severity.
These are preliminary practices that are meant to lead up to inner dissolving, which in itself can take a lot of work before you get any desired results. During these preliminary practices, we will be training to feel all parts of the body. Practices such as these can definitely bring things up that are of an emotional nature, so it’s good to be aware of that fact. If you choose to continue, it would probably be a very good idea to have access to someone you trust, such as a therapist, in case issues start coming up. So it’s no surprise that you may run into areas in your physical body that will feel not quite right or disturbing. Bruce always points out that these practices are not creating new problems, something is just emerging that was there to begin with.
I hope this helps a little – I am not really in a position to tell you whether or not this is right for you. If you have further concerns, you might try contacting Energy Arts and seeing if someone can help you with your specific case. Your safety is important.
If the idea of talking to a therapist makes you uncomfortable. Try locating a group that you could join. If you have someone that you can trust and talk to that person. Keep a journal and try to write things down to see if there is a pattern. You have information that you can share if you chose to talk to a professional. Starting with this meditation group has helped me alot. I like that I am starting at the beginning although I have mediating in the past. Bruce makes it so simple. I do not try to overdo it.
Hi, thanks for the advice! I did try to contact Energy Arts, I’ll have to wait a few more days to see if I get a response from them. In the meantime, I will take a break from the meditation course. Or, at least, try to repeat what I have learned and perfect it when I really feel like meditating, instead of advancing. It is also interesting that this happened on the 4th week, and Mr. Frantzis warned about the 3 week period. I wonder if it was just my ‘new habbit denial’. But it’s better to play safe anyways.
Hi Paul, I agree with Matthew, Catherine and Dolores. I have worked in the field of mental health for ten years at Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation; I have studied with Bruce since 1991 and with some of his senior teachers since 1984. I would like to re-iterate that the 70% Rule is for people who are healthy and stable; if someone has physical, mental or emotional issues then that 70% can be reduced to 50%, 40% or even lower. I teach these arts with very many people who have all manner of diagnosis and health problems, without any more complications arising. I am extremely cautious about what I teach, for how long and to what depth. You might be interested to see this article: http://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/newsArticle.aspx?articleid=1680433. I wish you well…
Hi Paul, what a good post – very honest and forthcoming.
If you have ‘Relaxing Into Your Being’ then see the diagram on page 104 (my edition) on preparatory practices.
I signed up for the meditation circle, but am currently firmly concentrating on outer dissolving and the beginning practices. Inner dissolving is a whole different ball game.
This meditation is an advanced practice, and is designed for people who have a minimum base-line of emotional stability and a knowledgeable teacher. You should exercise extreme caution.
As for having emotional problems, who doesn’t over here? I have been asking a very similar question to you recently, which is still unclear. How can there be a ‘chi revolutuion’ under such circumstances?!
Best regards…
This is an archived forum (read only). Go to our active forum where you can post and discuss in real time.