Energy-Like Somatic Experiences Reported by Western Buddhist Meditators

[dontknwmucboutanythng]

“Like a Vibration Cascading through the Body”: Energy-Like Somatic Experiences Reported by Western Buddhist Meditators

 

Abstract

There are numerous historical and textual references to energy-like somatic experiences (ELSEs) from religious traditions, and even a few psychological studies that have documented related phenomena. However, ELSEs remain an understudied effect of meditation in contemporary research. Based upon narratives from a large qualitative sample of Buddhist meditators in the West reporting meditation-related challenges, this paper offers a unique glimpse into how ELSEs play out in the lives of contemporary meditation practitioners and meditation experts. Departing from studies presuming a “kundalini awakening” framework, this paper presents a broader scope for understanding ELSEs by describing the metaphors practitioners used when speaking about them; the trajectories and impacts of ELSEs, including the factors that were reported as influencing their nature or trajectory; the various ways in which they were interpreted and appraised by practitioners, teachers, and specialists, such as doctors and therapists; and how practitioners responded to them or managed them with particular remedies. Deciding how to interpret and manage ELSEs entailed recruiting frameworks from within and/or beyond the meditator’s specific Buddhist lineage.

 

https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/12/12/1042

 

 

[Mark Foote]

On 6/4/2023 at 12:45 PM, dontknwmucboutanythng said:

“Like a Vibration Cascading through the Body”: Energy-Like Somatic Experiences Reported by Western Buddhist Meditators

 

Abstract

There are numerous historical and textual references to energy-like somatic experiences (ELSEs) from religious traditions, and even a few psychological studies that have documented related phenomena. However, ELSEs remain an understudied effect of meditation in contemporary research. Based upon narratives from a large qualitative sample of Buddhist meditators in the West reporting meditation-related challenges, this paper offers a unique glimpse into how ELSEs play out in the lives of contemporary meditation practitioners and meditation experts. Departing from studies presuming a “kundalini awakening” framework, this paper presents a broader scope for understanding ELSEs by describing the metaphors practitioners used when speaking about them; the trajectories and impacts of ELSEs, including the factors that were reported as influencing their nature or trajectory; the various ways in which they were interpreted and appraised by practitioners, teachers, and specialists, such as doctors and therapists; and how practitioners responded to them or managed them with particular remedies. Deciding how to interpret and manage ELSEs entailed recruiting frameworks from within and/or beyond the meditator’s specific Buddhist lineage.

 

https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/12/12/1042

 

Fascinating, Captain.

"ELSEs (“energy-like somatic experiences”) have also been documented outside of the context of religious and contemplative systems and without the assumption that they are indicative of a kundalini awakening. Multiple ELSEs are part of a standardized taxonomy of experiences in schizophrenia spectrum disorders under the heading of “cenesthesias” (Gross et al. 2008; Parnas et al. 2005). “Migrating sensations” may be “fluctuating, wandering, circling or rising” throughout the body. Similarly, “sensations of movement, pulling and pressure” may be described as “vibrating”, “quivering”, or “simmering” among others. “Electrifying sensations” may appear as a “strange feeling, starting in the feet and radiating up to the head, like electricity”, and can be “horrible” or “quite pleasant”. “Thermic sensations” of heat, burning, or coldness may be “diffusely wave-like”, “ascending”, or “circumscribed” (Gross et al. 2008, pp. 64–77). Cenesthesias may also be accompanied by emotions and/or emotional release. Cenesthesias typically fluctuate in intensity and may last seconds, minutes, hours, days, or even months or years. In a sample of first-episode psychosis patients, cenesthesias were one of the most common symptoms, reported by the majority of patients (67%). Anomalous bodily experiences were significantly correlated with lower levels of physical activity (Nyboe et al. 2016)."
 

 

'and can be “horrible” or “quite pleasant”'--I think the Dao Bums tend to expect the "quite pleasant" outcome.  Myself, I've not had the experience to say.

[markern]

Great to see they are studying this! I have been waiting for it for a long time.

[Sahaja]

Read the study. Thank you for sharing. Thought it was good. - I think they ought to expand it to include more qigong/neigong energy practitioners. I think the somatic energy experiences  in these practices (including many with physical, observable effects like zi fa gong) are a bit more common than in just straight meditation. I think these traditions also seem to have more knowledge of them as in why they happen and how to respond due to the fact that they work directly with these energies in their practices.

 

Not a new topic in Buddhist meditation. I have been reading a translation of a 5th century Chan Buddhist text by Eric Greene called Secret Essentials for Curing Meditation Sickness that was referenced in the study.. Interesting to see this topic addressed in such an old text, particularly things that sound a lot like zi fa gong with the Buddha giving answers to Sariputra on what to do when they arise. Might be a good reference book for those going on long vipissana retreats particularly if you have an instructor that says these energy manifestations are not part of their tradition!

 

 

 

 

[JCB]

If this interests you, there is a whole field of work out there centred around the the bodies natural tremor mechanism and it's ability to cleanse the body of built up tension, regulate the nervous system and potentially heal past traumas. It looks a bit different from Zi fa gong but is powerful and effective. The main modality is TRE (tension/trauma release exercises) and also Bioenergetics. Check out the founder of TRE's youtube channel for more info:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-enkSYYJnpkBcEpc7qDqQg

[Lairg]

I have observed such tremors moving around a circle of seated meditators

 

The cause may not always be positive

 

 

[S:C]

On 19.6.2023 at 9:49 AM, JCB said:

whole field of work out there centred around the the bodies natural tremor mechanism and it's ability to cleanse the body of built up tension, regulate the nervous system and potentially heal past traumas.

it does not cause new trauma?
 

maybe the belief changes everything

Edited June 22, 2023 by stellarwindbubble

[Sahaja]

On 6/19/2023 at 12:49 AM, JCB said:

If this interests you, there is a whole field of work out there centred around the the bodies natural tremor mechanism and it's ability to cleanse the body of built up tension, regulate the nervous system and potentially heal past traumas. It looks a bit different from Zi fa gong but is powerful and effective. The main modality is TRE (tension/trauma release exercises) and also Bioenergetics. Check out the founder of TRE's youtube channel for more info:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-enkSYYJnpkBcEpc7qDqQg

Thanks. Interesting to look at the various you tube videos showing TRE therapies and compare it to ZFG. Would be interesting to expose these TRE therapists to people having zi fa gong to get their take on it. They might find some of the manifestations a little weird and some of the causative factors to be outside their paradigm but they also might see some things that seem familiar and related to their knowledge set.