Opposite experience is that normal?

[ChristineMcLachlan]

I have recently started Lifeflow 10 and listened everyday for the 40mins session, but finding my mind quite stimulated, like ive been drinking too much coffee (which I dont drink). Im having trouble sleeping and having trouble concentrating, my heart rate feels elevated most of the time. Is this a normal experience or could it just be a coincidence as I have been through a very busy and stressful time over the past few months. It seems that meditation has aggravated my stress levels?? I dont mind if I am in a healing crisis, just would be interested to know of others experiencing the same.
Christine

[Edwin]

Originally Posted by ChristineMcLachlan

It seems that meditation has aggravated my stress levels??

The way I see it there are 2 possibilities:

1. Your meditation time is the only time you allow yourself to relax all day, and that is when the stress manifests itself.

or

2. You might be doing something wrong in meditation.

If it is number 1:

Try to take 30 minutes extra off every day, in which you simply sit still without distractions like TV or a book. After those 30 minutes, start your meditation. Does this solve the problem ?

If it is number 2:
Have you tried the free meditation course this site offers ? I noticed that when you listen to the course every 2-3 weeks, you hear something new that you missed before. The course really is exceptionally complete in the issues it covers.

Please let us know how it goes, maybe with a bit more info I could offer better advice

[ChristineMcLachlan]

Thank you for your informative reply. I am open to suggestions, and note that the experiences of feeling aggravated (heightened stresses) are happening constantly and not just while Im meditating, and the only night I did not use the recording I slept much better. (a coincidence Im not sure) I definitely believe this stuff works, but thought perhaps a healing crisis as I originally started on the Centrepoint program, which clearly states that any experience at all outside normal can be triggered by the changes taking place from the meditation - good or bad. Having said that, I did not get this same reaction when I listened to their programs. In regards to the meditation program no I havent listened to it yet, and forgive my ignorance but I understand there is no wrong way to meditate? That I just sit or lie with my eyes closed and listen and that the science of the program does the work - I just shift my thoughts gently away as they come up. Im not sure whats going on for sure, maybe Im just drinking too much tea? Thanks again (:

[Edwin]

Originally Posted by ChristineMcLachlan

In regards to the meditation program no I havent listened to it yet, and forgive my ignorance but I understand there is no wrong way to meditate? That I just sit or lie with my eyes closed and listen and that the science of the program does the work - I just shift my thoughts gently away as they come up. Im not sure whats going on for sure, maybe Im just drinking too much tea? Thanks again (:

First of all, there is no program or entrainment product that is able to meditate for you. Only you can achieve the state of meditation by applying a meditation technique. Any program that claims otherwise is a fraud.

All that an entrainment product can do, is enhance certain aspects of meditation, increasing the progress and benefits.


Now to the statement that there is no wrong way to meditate.

This is a statement that I come across quite a lot.
Even I used to say that there is no wrong way to meditate. But this refers to the state of meditation, not the method.
The technique you describe, gently shifting away thoughts as they arise, that is a meditation technique. And a good one. Since I am unable to judge if it is working for your particular meditation, I would seriously advice you to at least once listen to the free meditation course this site offers.

It is amazing !

It covers every possible trap or would be problem that a meditator can experience during meditation.
If your meditation technique is not optimal anywhere, you will know it from the course.

And just an observation since I noticed your remark about the tea:
Aside tea from the (South African) Rooibos plant and certain herbal tea, all tea leaves contain a certain amount of caffeine. Black tea, the most common of tea's contain the highest concentration. White tea contains the least, second least is green tea.

Just to compare: A can of green tea contains just about the same level of caffeine as a can of Red Bull, at least Red Bull in the Netherlands ( concentration of certain ingredients may differ in certain countries )

So there are limits to the amount of tea that is healthy for you in terms of caffeine consumption. And it would be best to limit the amount of tea a few hours before starting meditation.