The Unspoken Truth About Meditation
Meditation means residing in the present moment, but in the initial stages, achieving this can be challenging. For some, the initial phase lasts a few weeks; for others, it may take months, and some may struggle indefinitely.
When you sit down to meditate, the first obstacle you face is your body. This is because your body is not accustomed to sitting or lying still without engaging in thought—it has never experienced such stillness before. You might believe that your body always acts under the mind’s command, but meditation reveals that this is not entirely true.
In daily life, every movement of the body begins with a thought: you think, and the mind signals the brain, which then directs the body to act. However, during meditation, you may find your body refusing to obey, regardless of your willpower. Medical science supports this, explaining that reflex actions often bypass the brain, as the spinal cord and surrounding neural networks handle immediate responses. For instance, if you touch a hot surface, the reflex to pull your hand away comes from the spinal cord, not the brain.
Perhaps our ancestors knew this, which is why they emphasized the spine and its energy potential, now widely recognized as Kundalini. This highlights a profound truth: the body doesn’t always obey the mind. When you try to meditate, your body may resist, demanding your attention, and eventually forcing you to give up and move. However, as your body becomes accustomed to stillness, its resistance diminishes. Until then, a certain level of patience and gentle discipline is required.
Contrary to popular advice found on social media, which often suggests ignoring bodily discomfort, we recommend acknowledging your body’s needs in the early stages. If you feel an itch, scratch it. If a limb goes numb, shake it out. If there is pain, soothe it. Do not let discomfort drive you to give up; stay seated despite these minor interruptions.
The Mind’s Restlessness
After the body, it is the mind that starts to distract you. The mind, too, resists the present moment because its nature is to wander into the past or the future. As long as you are lost in these thoughts, both the mind and body remain satisfied.
We have previously discussed what the mind is. Today, we delve deeper.
According to science, spirituality, tantra, and yoga, the mind operates on four levels:
- Conscious Mind (Chetan Man)
- Subconscious Mind (Avchetan Man)
- Unconscious Mind (Achetan Man)
- Superconscious Mind (Ati Chetan Man)
The subconscious mind is where all memories, experiences, and thoughts—whether pleasant or unpleasant—are stored. During meditation, you encounter this subconscious mind first. Suppressed thoughts, forgotten memories, and buried emotions resurface. You may recall long-forgotten events or even remember where you misplaced an item. These resurfacing memories can feel overwhelming and unsettling.
When seeking guidance on how to handle these thoughts, many are advised to “let them come and go” or to “keep trying to focus.” However, for 90% of people, crossing the river of subconscious thoughts proves impossible. This is why we emphasize that those struggling with physical or mental ailments, excessive thinking, anger, anxiety, depression, or past traumas should not dive straight into meditation.
Meditation aims to transcend the subconscious mind, but without preparation, this can feel like attempting to cross a river of molten lava. Suppressing thoughts may seem like a temporary solution, but they will resurface with greater intensity. As we previously explained, the mountain of thoughts grows higher with age, and when suppressed, they erupt like an avalanche or flow like an unstoppable river.
If you are emotionally sensitive, prone to negative thinking, or have experienced significant betrayal or trauma, breaking free from this cycle becomes even more difficult. Until you address these issues, meditation will remain an elusive goal.
What Lies Ahead
In the next section, we will share a powerful solution to help you navigate the overwhelming tide of subconscious thoughts. Additionally, we will explore the transformative benefits of meditation—results so profound that they will inspire you to practice daily.
