Is It Ok to Cry During Meditation?

Is It Ok to Cry During Meditation?

Comments Off on Is It Ok to Cry During Meditation?

crying

 

 

 

 

 

 

A friend recently contacted me saying that she had attempted to meditate at the end of a yoga class and found herself fighting back tears due to a painful life circumstance.

Surprising as it may seem, this is a very common experience.

It is a misconception that meditation should or will be relaxing.  Of course sometimes it is.  But – when we quiet the mind – the emotional pain that we have been trying to keep in check will often arise.

So what do we do in these situations?

The response is to be fully present with this pain as that is part of the healing process.  It is not uncommon to cry during meditation.  One way meditation helps us is by facilitating healing from our losses and emotional pain.

It’s also important to remember that resistance equals suffering.  Trying to resist only makes things worse. We can only be fully present with it, so that it can pass.

If you’re fighting back tears while meditating, then that’s the reality of the moment. Create a space in your awareness for the pain to simply be.

And be cautious not to label these thoughts as “bad.” They aren’t bad; they’re just reality. Life isn’t about being cheerful 24/7. Sometimes life is painful, and that’s ok.

In closing this post, I want to leave you with a simple thought. That thought is “this too shall pass.” The more we allow feelings of pain to arise, the more likely they are to pass.

So yes, it’s ok to cry during meditation. Crying is a part of life.

To your mindfulness,

 

Dr. Marchand

 

 

Connect

footer-bg

Back to Top