Hi,
I've returned to SFQ after a break of some months. In the past I've concentrated more on the active exercise than the meditations, now I am doing both.
When I do either of the meditiations, I can get to the seventeen minute mark without much issue. I stay focused. Then at or shortly after seventeen minutes, a memory will pop into my head. Usually something nontraumatic. For example, yesterday it was a memory of an assistant manager I worked for twenty-three years ago. She was saying something, I don't recall what, only that it was a mundane conversation for that job.
The memory usually plays out in a few moments, and I go back to regular meditation.
Then the craziness starts - all kinds of emotional garbage comes up, about things that actually happened, or things that I blew out of proportion. It could be old stuff or current stuff. I go into a semi-sleep state, and these episodes feel more like dreaming than memories or fantasies.
I usually try to plow through this, but because it feels so much like sleeping, I give it up after a minute or two, because I want to meditate, not sleep or dream.
Does anyone have anything to say about this? What are these sleep-like states? Is stopping for the day the way to go, or would I be better trying to complete the half hour?
Any and all responses would be appreciated.
Thx,
spiral
