Know the Meaning of Physical Sensations During Meditation

Dear Nikky,

Congratulations on beginning a meditation practice!

It’s difficult from a distance – and often, even when in person – to know whether what you’re feeling are physical sensations during meditation, or normal sensations of the “electrical body,” or sensations due to movements of (or blockages of) prana. So there’s not much that I can tell you for certain.

I’ll hazard a guess that at least some of what you’re feeling are pranic (due to energy), not  physical sensations. Because you mentioned chakras, you probably are aware that these sensations might be arising from kundalini energy beginning – or trying– to rise in your spine. That is, in general, a good thing, because rising kundalini is directly connected to spiritual growth.

On the other hand, some of what you’re experiencing might have causes that are related not to meditation, but to ordinary changes in your body’s physiology. So it’s quite possibly a mix.

In any case, as a beginning meditator, you are getting into new territory, and it’s common for both the physical body and the astral (energy) body to go through an adjustment period, which can result in you experiencing various sensations.

Unless you begin to experience more dramatic (or worrisome) sensations, I recommend that you simply go with what’s happening, neither calling special attention to it, nor trying to figure it all out, nor trying to shut it off (unless, of course, it becomes unpleasant, which doesn’t seem to be happening for you). These things tend to change over time, and often the sensations simply disappear. Let the process unfold. For now, it is what it is, and it’s not a problem.

By the way, you say that you are not using any particular meditation method, so I cannot guess whether there is something about your personal approach to meditation responsible for these sensations.

However, I urge you to consider learning a classical technique of meditation that has been used to great success by serious seekers for thousands of years. Sticking with a tried-and-true technique can take a lot of guesswork out of the meditation experience.

It would help also to call on God to guide you through these changes. Don’t worry: Your situation is not too trivial to be of concern God. Everything concerns God. And besides, God likes to be called upon, because it shows that one of His children is feeling a connection with Him.

Blessings on your practice,
Nayaswami Gyandev