Your Meditation Questions Answered
Your Meditation Questions Answered
Each time I sit down to meditate, I feel anxious like I’m doing it wrong.
This is probably the most common response I hear. I can’t say this enough – for beginning meditators, there is no wrong way except to willingly follow a thought once it appears. Sitting down is often challenging enough.
I say sit down, watch what you see and notice it going by – like ticker tape – but don’t chase the thoughts. That’s all – just start there.
What am I supposed to feel while meditating? I want a sign I’m doing it right.
There are all types of bodily sensations that can arise while meditating. Some people experience tingling in the limbs. Sensations of hot and cold are also normal, as well as an increased hearing or awareness of one’s breath and heartbeat.
I thought the goal of meditation was a thought-less mind. I can’t stop my thoughts.
This is probably the biggest misconception of meditation, and the primary reason people abandon the practice. While there are types of meditation that emphasize the complete eradication of thought, I find this line of reasoning overly simplistic. Proponents of this type of meditation urge you to ‘tell the thoughts to go away’, and advocate ‘switching off the mind to surrender.’ I don’t think this is possible.
In fact, most people experience even greater resistance each time they flagellate themselves, or ‘react’ to the intrusion of a thought.
I feel my hands and feet going numb. Is this normal?
If the sensation is that your feet are falling asleep, that’s more likely the cause of your sitting position and should be adjusted. I’m a big believer in finding a comfortable seated position, and if fatigue or injuries prevent you from being able to sit, laying down is also an option. That is a traditionally considered a big no-no as the body can become so relaxed that you fall asleep, but I am a best-efforts meditator. I think setting people up to do something, especially new, perfectly, sets them up for failure. You have to ease into things, especially something as potentially confrontational as asking people to sit still and watch their thoughts.
When I try to meditate, a recurring stressful scenario keeps popping into my head.
This is very common. Often in our busy lives, we’re not able to fully focus on a single thing. When we sit, the subconscious may bring up situations and thoughts that were previously repressed, or even shoved aside. Totally normal.
Any other questions I can answer just comment below!
If you are interested in Learning to Meditate, consider working with an instructor. I teach one-on-one and small groups. Contact me for current rates!
Catherine Tingey
Entrepreneur, yogini, designer, award-winning filmmaker, personal trainer and former marathon runner. She left a career in finance to start her own business and along the way, became a yoga teacher. She has been practicing yoga for 31 years and teaching privately for 11 years.
About the Author
Catherine Tingey+ Entrepreneur, yogini, designer, award-winning filmmaker, personal trainer and former marathon runner. She left a career in finance to start her own business and along the way, became a yoga teacher. She has been practicing yoga for 31 years and teaching privately for 11 years.
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