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Rage-itation — Experiencing Anger in Meditation
You always see on Instagram serene pictures of people peacefully meditating, but what about those other kinds of meditations, the kind when you experience agitation or even rage in meditation? What’s happening in those meditations when it feels like you’re sitting on hot pokers and as soon as it’s done you want to walk up to the next living thing and punch it? I affectionately call these “rage-itations” with my students. Most everyone who practices regularly has experienced one from time to time and when they happen, it can raise questions: Why does this happen? Should you keep meditating if a rage-itation comes on? Do these kinds of meditations actually make you stressed?
All meditations are good meditations
It is a false assumption many people have that all meditations are supposed to be deep and relaxing. Some meditations have that lovely, cozy feeling which is indicative of “going deep,” whereas some feel shallow, irritating or downright rage-inducing. These less-enjoyable kinds of meditations are caused by stress release. When we meditate, our bodies rest very deeply, even deeper than sleep. When this happens, the stress stored in our tissues stimulate the mind causing thoughts. These thoughts will have the flavor of whatever type of stress is being released be it heartbreak, fatigue or (in the case of a rage-itation) anger. A…
