Do Nothing Meditation Causes Head Ache And Sleepiness

[Anirban657]

I started doing normal meditation 1 and a half months ago and I had one ego dissolution experience and one nervous breakdown experience and now I feel different.

But I started the do nothing meditation technique and I feel uncomfortable doing it. It feels weird and I fall asleep and start having strange visions and dreams. And constantly keeing my eyes open and staring at the wall in front of me causes head aches. Also when I feel itches and discomfort on my skin I have to not do anything. 

I don't really care about quick results and I am pretty young and I feel like I am already more emotionally aware than most other people my age. 

Any suggestions will be helpful. Have a nice day.

[The Monk]

@Anirban657 that's normal, I have been doing the do nothing technique for 4/5 months now, and I find it easy. The thoughts arising are completely normal, allow them to arise and be conscious of them, it's likely that you will experience weird thoughts, as you are unhooking yourself from all the crap you've been doing. As for the tiredness, try to go the gym regularly, as it will increase the energy capacity of your body and eat healthy. If you are already doing this, then the reason for why you may be getting tired is because you're slouching, so keep a straight back and relax. I personally sit in a lotus position with my back supported by a wall.

As for the itching of the skin and discomfort, its normal. The more you feel the better, because as you are happy and content whilst meditating you will soon realise that you can surpass the pain with happiness, and it's likely that the itches and discomfort is simply your mind and body playing tricks on you. Next time you itch see if there is something there if not then your mind and body is playing tricks on you, as you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms from doing the things you used to do.

Good Luck!

If you need more answers watch this and make notes on it: Watch it as much as you want!

Also make sure you are drinking 2 litres of water a day. That should solve your headache problem.

 

Edited March 14, 2017 by Aamir King

[100rockets]

@Anirban657 I tend to fall asleep with this one too, mostly when I meditate in the evening. The time of day can make a big difference, If you can do this during the day when you're very alert it will most likely be easier to stay awake. If you haven't read this yet check out the insight section about when to meditate (https://actualized.org/insights). If you like to keep your eyes open you can try playing with the lighting or setting to see if that helps with the headaches.

If that doesn't help try lighting a candle and look at that instead of staring at the walls, that way you can also have your eyes half open and focus on the candle although I don't know if that is something you're supposed to do with the do nothing technique because that might change your focus point from your thoughts onto an object which is probably a different meditation in itself. 

 

Edited March 14, 2017 by 100rockets

[Nahm]

Itches are a good sign. It's your brain sending an 'itch' to your body to see if the body is still awake, since the brain can't tell between 'real' and 'in the mind'. Don't scratch em, and you'll soon be conscious without being able to feel the spacial location of your body, which is a nice break.  

Try doing 30 - 60 minutes of cardio before meditation. It should solve your falling asleep issue. Do both in the morning too. 

[Anirban657]

@The Monk Thank you for the advice!!.. I thought I was the only one who was having these issues. 

[Anirban657]

@100rockets I normally meditate in the afternoon.. Sometimes I even fall asleep while doing the normal meditation technique. Maybe I will try taking a nap before the meditation and then do the meditation. Thank you so much!!

[Anirban657]

@Nahm I used to do 15mins circuits which I stopped a few days. I will try doing cardio. Thank you so much!!

[PetarKa]

With the posture: I've recently been slouching more and this has caused a lot of upper-back pain and it has prevented me from being able to meditate effectively (I get distracted by it A LOT), and now I just lie (or lay, can't remember grammar...) on the floor with my eyes open and proceed with a synthesis of Do nothing and Letting go. It's been working well since I can focus uninterrupted by the pain, I can see it's working by the way I feel after a session. Just checking in my experiences. 

[Anirban657]

@PetarKa

I don't think you should judge your progress by the way you feel but judge it only by the long term real results. I have been doing this do-nothing meditating for a while now and I already feel guilty about doing nothing. You should definitely watch Leo's video over and over again. Also if you can then watch Shizen Young's video about do-nothing meditation. 

I think that the posture that Leo suggest is very important- sit with a  straight backbone or sit on a chair. I don't recommend any combinations or lying on the ground. 

If you want help with posture problem I urge you to watch Elliot Hulse's posture related videos. Elliot Hulse is a Florida based entrepreneur and fitness and strength training guru. Check out his YouTube channel- 

https://m.youtube.com/user/strengthcamp

Have an amazing time meditating☺!!

Edited March 31, 2017 by Anirban657