Very strange facial muscle contractions

[istigkeit]

So I've been meditating for about a year on and off, with varying degrees of consistency. After a 3 week gap I have just started up with my daily practice again (since yesterday).

I first noticed it during yesterday's session. Aside from the fact that my monkey mind was ALL OVER the shop (I guess that's what happens when you totally stop for 3 weeks) I noticed a very odd sensation in my face. At first I wasn't even aware, then suddenly it was very apparent that my facial muscles were contracted such that I had a slight smile. Now, I'm not talking about a serene, contempt and peaceful smile where the muscles just naturally fall that way. I was not feeling particularly peaceful or serene that is for sure. It was one of those troublesome, mind like a screaming banshee sessions. Plus it's not like a pleasant smile either - the muscles being used are more of the smirk variety; the smile that accompanies a dose of schadenfreude perhaps.

So my muscles are all contracted. First I tried to relax everything in my face. This is great intially. Feels calm and relaxed. Then within seconds I can feel the slight pull. Very slowly and gradually. The muscles again contracting to smirk position! It's like I'm possessed. I'm not doing any of this it's just happening! This repeats for the entire session - both yesterday and today. I have also tried just letting it be. Observing this phenomenon as it is. It is a strange phenomenon and by the end my muscles in my face almost ache. I think somehow me observing it makes it worse. I also try to bring my attention back to my breath (my preferred technique), but concentration is near impossible. All I can think about is how I am possessed by a smirky, snide, devilish being who controls my face!

I have often read people posting about strange meditation experiences and brushed them aside as people imaging things or looking for things to "happen" during their sessions. This is to absurd to ignore though, and it is very real. How should I approach this?

[Panthau]

As im pretty sure, no one here can give a definitive answer to this, you can just ask yourself what you can do about it.

You can:

- think about it.
- watch it.
- ignore it (active)
- let go (passive)
- worry
- visit a doctor

Id suggest to let go of it, and with that attitude, visit a doctor if its too physical abstracting. Your desicion

[M L K]

Istigkeit,
Drawing from Panthau's list, I'd be inclined to acknowledge and watch the "smirking" contractions from a very neutral place, much as we do with emotions that surface, and see if they dissolve for you over time. Please keep us posted. Margaret