Mentally & physically beginning to become more restless during meditation

[SexuallyDesirableMan]

Hi,

I've managed to stick to meditation everday for 17 days now . When I meditate I prefer to sit on the edge of a chair with my spin erect and hands clasped on my lap.

During the first week and found myself very disciplined just focusing on breathing, mantra and trying not to fidget. But now in the last week my mind wonders and I find myself shifting around a lot more, also finding myself not being as disciplined to wanting to be focused and not fidget.

I did experience a moment during meditation where I was actually not thinking, everything was tingly. Also every time I meditate I get very hot and sometimes start to sweat.

[GilesC]

Ok, firstly....

The "mind wandering" happens. You'll have times when you get this and times when you don't. Stick at the meditation and you'll find it will change again, but recognise it's quite normal for it to happen, especially in the early days of practice.

Getting hot/sweaty probably indicates that you're straining in some way. Perhaps you are not just being aware of your breathing and/or mantra, but are so focused on it that you are forcing it. This can be a common thing people do when they first start learning, especially when the focus of meditation is the breath. Some people end up forcing the breathing into a set way of happening, almost as if they are trying to breath in a regular way as if counting the breaths and making it breath in.... and breath out.... every N seconds. This is not letting the body breath naturally, and can be the cause of physical sensations such as lightheadedness, headaches, hyperventilating, feeling hot etc.

See if you can just observe the natural breathing during your meditation and let it happen how it needs to.... sometimes the breathing will be shallow, and then suddenly it may need to take a deep sharp intake of breath and then take time to calm down again.... whatever it wants, just let it happen.

Alternatively, just place the focus on the mantra in the same way, in which case the body will be breathing naturally and your focus won't be on it.

Hugs

Giles