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Unexpected bodily distractions arising during breath meditation
Two questions regarding things that come up during breath meditation practice:
1) Sometimes I try to turn my gaze downward toward either the tip of the nose, or the navel; with the eyelids shut; as some instruction says this helps. For whatever reason, I can't seem to keep the eye muscles in that position; it is very comfortable and helps concentration for some moments; and then the muscles start to twitch/flicker and the eyelids want to open.
Does anyone have an experience like this, and are there any suggestions as to why this happens?
2) Sometimes when I am practicing breath meditation, I find a sense of giggling. This is not unpleasant, and does not really break my concentration too much, but it does make the breath a bit hard to watch because it's shaky.
Does anyone have an experience like this, and what did you do about it?
1) Sometimes I try to turn my gaze downward toward either the tip of the nose, or the navel; with the eyelids shut; as some instruction says this helps. For whatever reason, I can't seem to keep the eye muscles in that position; it is very comfortable and helps concentration for some moments; and then the muscles start to twitch/flicker and the eyelids want to open.
Does anyone have an experience like this, and are there any suggestions as to why this happens?
2) Sometimes when I am practicing breath meditation, I find a sense of giggling. This is not unpleasant, and does not really break my concentration too much, but it does make the breath a bit hard to watch because it's shaky.
Does anyone have an experience like this, and what did you do about it?
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Comments
I find it helps, and there's nothing wrong with doing that.
Giggling? No.
But try focussing on something else, like how your body feels sat on the floor, and connecting/disconnecting with your clothing as you breathe in and out.
Giggling is often a nervous reaction to a sentiment you're uncomfortable with. (Like laughing when you hear bad news.... Laughter and crying are very similarly-triggered reactions....)
Any reason why you might want to giggle?
Any mental discomfort?
Don't say anything here, it's just a question to provoke an observation in you....
Actually the giggling seems to be related to an overall sense of well-being, happiness and contentment... it doesn't always happen, but when it does I'm not sure what I should do about it.
Then - giggle.
Observe the giggling without attachment, observe the overall sense of peace and contentment, then bring your Mind back to centre, and simply breathe.
I had the eyelids flicker thing, but it is temporal. It will pass over time. (and then usually another problem comes to replace it, hahaha
I personally find it much easier eyes closed because keeping your eyes open adds another distraction. To me keeping your eyes open is just like turning on rock music while meditating
The giggly thing I don't know.
I hope you have fun on the meditation cushion!
Metta,
Sabre