when meditation doesn't work

                               

At it's most basic level, meditation is supposed to reduce stress, to calm us, make us happy. Sometimes this doesn't happen. Why?

sometimes we are using the wrong technique for oneself

Sometimes it's the wrong technique for us. Although my path has been yoga, I had a friend who was always a bit disturbed after doing meditation. It was an energy pathway one, combined with chanting Om out loud. Preceded by bhastrika (a very fiery breath), bandhas (energy locks) & nadi shodan (alternate nostril breathing). He went on a 10 day Vipassana retreat, loved it. And, most importantly, he calmed down. I hoped he would continue with the buddhist technique as he seemed so at peace whilst doing it.

strong energy meditations are hard to maintain

And I have noticed, and experienced, that very strong energy meditations can be hard to maintain, especially if one has not been taught how to calm down first. You would think that nadi shodan would do it, but if you were doing it with big breath retentions, long counts and even bandhas, then perhaps not.

the remedy

What is missing is learning how to calm the breath, thereby calming the body, mind, emotions, prana (life-force), and, most importantly, calming the awareness so that we are seated in a Higher Consciousness. Or, if we are not quite at that yet, then so that our conscious everyday awareness has calmed down.

Ujjayi, which is strong yet relaxed softly audible breathing, on it's own will not do this. We need to slow down the breathing, whether ujjayi is used or not. We need to stop "powering up" the energy, because, ironically, this just makes us agitated and creates internal energy blockages. And we need to slip into the internal realms quickly. There are pratyahara (sensory withdrawal) practices but I find they make me restless. One practice is being still like a tree. Really? I find that silly.

If postures have been done prior to meditation, using slow, relaxed breathing will take us automatically into meditation. We will not be able to resist. So, if you are teaching, or doing a practice on your own, you can most definitely do strong and/or dynamic poses. But, and this is important, there should be a slowing down as you go into seated forward bends, twists, and inversions. They don't have to be hard poses, but even if they are just reclining stretches, that will do the trick. relaxing, calming and cooling poses. All three combined.

finishing with relaxing, calming, and cooling poses, sets us up for easy meditation

Throughout the class, or even just at the slowing down period at the end, breathe this way: as you exhale, gently pull the navel back towards the spine. Pause briefly, for a fraction of a second. Relax the abdomen as you slowly inhale, then another brief pause. Keep going like this. Instant calm, instant happiness. It will lead you right into the inner realms. You can continue breathing like this as you meditate, but you most likely will automatically do similar breathing without having to deliberately breathe like this. Meditation will become much easier.