What to know about crying during meditation

Meditation is a deep dive into oneself through the layers of consciousness. If tears arise during meditation, this is a favorable sign, because one may have reached an encounter with impressions that are worth bringing to the surface and realizing.

In life, attention is on the surface layer of consciousness, which is responsible for dealing with current issues and tasks. When a person engages in the practice of meditation, he or she moves deeper and can delve with attention into the subconscious mind, an area of accumulated imprints of the mind and impressions, among which may be emotionally evocative. The spiritual path is about illuminating all areas of the inner world to bring the quality of light, clarity and understanding there.

This happens when one has a spiritual connection with the practice, the object of concentration. Then the physical body reacts in a special way, including tears. How to deal with it? Try unloading your mind by writing down your impressions in a diary. It is an effective way to calm the mind and a healing habit.

Possible Causes:

• Spiritual experience.
• The subconscious impression is coming to the surface.
• Response of the nervous system to spiritual energy.
• Vata dosha imbalance.
• Heart center activity.

At Savatthi. There the Blessed One said: «Fr om an inconstruable beginning comes transmigration. A beginning point is not evident, though beings hindered by ignorance and fettered by craving are transmigrating & wandering on. What do you think, monks: Which is greater, the tears you have shed while transmigrating & wandering this long, long time — crying & weeping from being joined with what is displeasing, being separated from what is pleasing — or the water in the four great oceans?

Assu Sutta

The monks replied that there were probably more tears. After that, the Buddha said that many times every being has already experienced losses, disappointments and upsets, and this many times is so great that one day it's time to become dispassionate to such experiences and get rid of them.

The cause of tears in meditation for some people is a reaction of the nervous system to the subtle spiritual energy of the practice. Gradually the nervous system gets used to it and the outward manifestations of tears (as a way of releasing the tension of concentration) go away.

A simple way to change the emotional background is a walk in the fresh air, preferably in a quiet place in nature.

When observing tears during meditation, it is important to consider the constitution of a person according to Ayurveda. Vata dosha is responsible for the nervous system.

If you have a predominance of Vata dosha or this dosha is out of balance, it is possible to improve the situation through a combination of yoga practice and lifestyle adjustments according to Ayurveda recommendations. Ayurvedic remedies can gently cleanse the body, promoting physical and mental health. Nutritional adjustments are also beneficial.

To balance the Vata dosha, it is important not to expose the body to cold, not to give excessive exercise leading to exhaustion, to find a balance between the degree of asceticism and the time for calm and reasonable rest. Sleep is important, so it is beneficial to establish a daily regimen.

According to the concept of human energy centers, possible causes of tears during meditation are the accumulation and leakage of energy at the level of the heart center, called Anahata chakra.

One of the goals of spiritual practice is to be able to gather and channel energy so that it does not “flow out” through the lower chakras, but is stored at the upper center, in the head area.

This area is called Sahasrara-chakra and is responsible for human connection with the higher spirituality, manifestation of wisdom, understanding of the unity of the manifested and much more. In order for energy to rise, you need a certain flow, that is, the “width” of the subtle channels of the body. These channels are called Nadis in yoga.

When you meditate, you organize the circulation of energy in the subtle body. This happens because it is customary to assume a certain posture. Just staying in a meditation posture directs the flow of energy upward.

It is important to learn how to keep your back as straight as possible in meditation. Regular practice of hatha yoga can help with this. Loosening the joints of the body and releasing tension in the back muscles has a positive effect on a person's posture. Rounding the back leads to the accumulation of energy at the level of the chest, in the Anahata chakra, which is responsible for the emotional plane. Straight back posture promotes the upward rise of energy.

It is important to assume a position wh ere the back is straight to ensure the upward flow of energy through the subtle channels.

For the energy to rise from the level of Anahata-chakra, two conditions must be created:

1. Learn to control emotions, not to vent energy on that level.
2. If you are experiencing strong emotions, you don't need to lock them up deep inside your body, you need to find a way to lift the energy higher, that is, to widen the energy channel going from the chest to the neck and head.

To expand the subtle channels of the body, apply hatha yoga practice. It is also beneficial to reduce for a while the interaction with objects of the external world, which contribute to the manifestation of vivid emotional reactions and impressions.

If we talk about the topic of tears in meditation from a yogic perspective, it is beneficial to find a practice that helps you change the quality of energy.

Imagine a bird feather. It floats in the air and can easily rise up. This feather has the quality of lightness.

Imagine a rock. The stone lies on the ground because it has density and heaviness - weight.

In order for the energy to rise, it must be thin and light enough. Your practice can transform it.

One such practice is the Om mantra. If you experience tears during meditation, try practicing the Om mantra.

Find a spiritual practice that changes the quality of energy by refining it. Then it is possible to raise the energy from the level of the heart center and higher.

It is also beneficial to focus on the positive aspects of reality, to engage in what you see as meaningful - to direct attention-energy to some good activity. Mindfulness promotes a calm state of mind.

What to do if tears occur during meditation:

• Writing in a diary to free the mind from impressions.
• Walk in nature.
• Adjust diet and daily regimen according to Ayurveda.
• Maintain the correct posture for meditation - with a straight back.
• Analyze the environment.
• Develop the skill of lifting energy upwards: by practicing hatha yoga, mantras, etc.

May your practice be peaceful and luminous!