And Then I Stopped Breathing
posted by OnThePath | December 1, 2011
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IcerocketI only recently started meditating with discipline, whereas previously I approached meditation as something I would do whenever I felt like it. Although I don't do it at the same time every day, I do do it every day now.
I have little "formal" education in these matters, I took a class at Shambhala once. Prior to taking that class, I was in my "whenever I felt like it" mode. During said mode I would sit for about 10 minutes at a time, maybe once or twice a week. I gradually increased to 15 minutes, still in my "whenever I felt like it mode." Now, I am sitting for 20-25 minutes at a time daily, which I think is a good amount for me, considering other time constraints I have.
My wishy-washy meditation practice started probably about a year ago, the class I took was about 6 months ago, my "disciplined" period has been about a month or so.
Seeing as though I have had little "formal" education into this realm of things, I was wondering if someone had an answer to me as to what I have been experiencing.
There comes a certain point, about 15 minutes in or so, when my breathing becomes extremely shallow, with a very slow respiratory rate (very few breaths per minute). It seems to come at a certain point, like "aha there is that state."
Minutes after that state, my breath seems to nearly stop, like I am simultaneously breathing in and out without my lungs really exerting themselves - I'm not sure how to really explain it, but if someone has a clue about this experience, they probably can insinuate from what I have said so far. It is in this state where my mind feels absolutely penetrating and my practice incredibly deep, though this state does not last long (probably because I start to focus on the state rather than breath, because it's incredibly interesting, whatever it is).
Can anybody give me some insight into what is happening?
Comments
If you were a smartphone,
— Dec 02, 2011
If you were a smartphone, your brain would be the brightly lit screen draining your battery.
When you settle your whole body and eventually your whole mind, you're not going to require as much oxygen.
Obviously this is purely conjecture.
I'm in contact with some Buddhist monks
— Dec 02, 2011
I'm in contact with some Buddhist monks their meditation periods are 30 minutes at a time. There are numerous approaches to meditation, TM with the ohm, meditation with and without mantras. Guided imagery is also used in some forms of meditation. Posture and sitting positions is also encouraged. There are numerous videos on Youtube by monks and yogis.
For 15 years I used a silent meditation without a mantra and at others times with a mantra with eyes open and no prescribed sitting position. My session lasted for hours at a time during the warm months of the year. My sessions were nearly always out-of-doors. Several years into this period I was Enlightened during meditation. I had been reborn several years before. I did receive formal training through this period but not personal training. This training came in the form a booklet sent I believe bi-weekly from a group in the western US. The booklet was specifically regarding meditation practices, the how-tos. (these were the days before the internet.) At the end of the 15 year period I could enter a thoughtless, I am, meditative state for hours.
Two problems arose from that practice. One was feelings of anger would arise during my day and perhaps heart arrhythmias. I believe that both problems were because I went to far to deeply into the meditative state. It is possible the problem occurred natural but i suspect not. I'm not going to respond directly to your breathing problem but I would suggest that you do not participate in guided imagery sessions guided by anyone other then yourself. Be careful what you plant in your head.
After this lengthy experience I believe there are three purposes for meditation perhaps the most important being Enlightenment. Second, the creation of insight or a spontaneous knowing and third for emotional stability. I do not believe anyone was ever intended to live in an "I am" state permanently nor is that the purpose of meditation, Enlightenment is.
I'm not sure you will find one source or authority on meditation nor would I listen to someone who said they were. You will need to find your own "way".
Good luck
Stopped breathing (air) started breathing (Prana)
— Dec 04, 2011
First of all,thank you for sharing. I've had many similar experiences and as this has reminded me of the many benefits of regular meditation and inspired me to start this back up again, again I thank you.
As far as my interpretation on this which comes from my own experiences, labels I put on them to more consciously understand them which I've concluded from the little reading I've done and ultimately what feels right for me; I believe your furthered connection between your energetical, spiritual, and "physical" aspects were more coming into unison or coherence which then comes the diminished need for physical substance.
Drunvalo Melchizadic in his book's "the ancient secret of the flower of life" talks about these experiences the meaning and purpose of them, though the information (for me at least) seems accurate, the story of his experiences in how he shares he received the synthesized information comes from a less then grounded place. If this place is of importance for you to have, if you look into this suggestion, simply youtubing Greg Braiden who has written many books, you can find a bunch of videos where he provides a lot of grounded or scientific perspectives into many of the matters Drunvalo pulls from.
Ultimately you naturally and intuitively know what truths are right for you and continually trust yourself and seek your answered equally (if not more) from within.
Jamin
I have saught an answer to your question
— Jan 07, 2012
I have sought an answer to your question. The answer is found in the life of the Buddha. The Buddha being an Ascetic cast of all worldly things and in doing so he suffered. At one point he nearly starved himself to death.
What are a few lost breaths or missed heart beats in the attainment of Enlightenment and the end of suffering? Suffering is necessary to find Enlightenment, no one said it would be easy or without risks.
You may believe as you like.
I sought some more and this is what I found
— Jan 07, 2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7XJdkL4j3Y
nemaste _/\_
Distracted by the process
— Dec 04, 2011
interesting talk. this happens to me as well, although much more intensely during out of body experiences. It used to freak me out because I thought"my god, I must breathe! without breath i will die." ha.
Like Krash Karma said -- in deep calm, visionary states or meditation I don't think the brain and body needs as much oxygen.
this is supercommon. You could be grateful for being able to get to the point you've attained.
I definitely had some fear attached to the sensation and similar sensations.
I guess the next point could be how to deal with that experience and continue on with it without getting lost in the process.
perhaps I make not much sense.
I just relate back to my early experiences while having intense experiences out of the body... particularly the actual PROCESS of leaving the body... it can be very ALARMING (even terrifying) and still is for me nearly every single time I do it.
The sheer astonishment could snap me right out of actually having the experience. with practice i've slowly been able to work through it.
guess my only real words could be don't get caught in the process. just become the process
Go with it and vibe out!
swell journeys!
Caligiuri
www.caligiuriart.com
A warning .......
— Dec 11, 2011
For two weeks I have been fighting what appears to be a respiratory flu. A few days ago it grew worse and at one point began to rob me of breath, at other times cut my breath in half so to speak, even at times stole away my words while speaking. I was very near a visit to the hospital on several occasions. It has dimenished now but still lingers after two full weeks. My guess is this maybe a killer flu. If you live in the mid-western states I would suggest you avoid those with a fierce cough, a violent wicked cough, especially those with respiratory problems, the elderly and children should take care to avoid those with colds and the flu this year. I am not exaggerating, please be careful this colds season. I do not remember a flu like this since when I was a child, many years ago.
What makes this flu different is
— Dec 13, 2011
that it has a strong asthma component. To my knowledge do not have asthma.
It drags on ...........................
