Meditation And Anger: Why Does It Enrage Me?

Meditation is often thought of as a practice that brings about peace and calmness. However, it is not uncommon for people to feel angry or irritated during or after meditation, especially when they are new to the practice. This may be due to several reasons, such as impatience, unwanted thoughts and feelings, not getting the desired results, or using the wrong technique.

For instance, if one is not accustomed to meditating, it can be challenging to sit still and focus on one's breath. Our minds are usually occupied with a constant stream of thoughts, and we are constantly engaged in activities like watching television, browsing social media, or working. Therefore, doing nothing but breathing can feel strange and even irritating.

Additionally, meditation can bring up unwanted thoughts and feelings that we tend to ignore or distract ourselves from. Ignoring these thoughts and feelings is not healthy and can lead to mental health issues. Meditation forces us to confront these thoughts and feelings, which can be uncomfortable and lead to feelings of anger, anxiety, or depression.

Furthermore, if one does not see the expected results from meditation, it can be frustrating and disappointing. It is important to understand that it takes time and consistent practice to experience the benefits of meditation.

Lastly, using the wrong meditation technique can also lead to feelings of anger. It is recommended to start with basic techniques like mindful breathing, meditative walking, Zen, or mantras, instead of advanced methods.

It is important to remember that anger during meditation is not necessarily a bad thing. It can be an indication of pent-up emotions that need to be addressed. With consistent practice, meditation can help one learn to deal with these emotions in a healthy manner.

Meditation can bring up unwanted thoughts and feelings

Meditation is supposed to make us feel calm, relaxed, and less stressed. But sometimes, it can have the opposite effect and make us feel angry or irritated. This can happen when we bring up thoughts and feelings that we have been ignoring or distracting ourselves from.

We often keep ourselves busy with noise, TV, and social media to avoid dealing with unwanted thoughts and emotions. However, ignoring these feelings is not healthy and can lead to a mental breakdown. Meditation brings us face-to-face with these suppressed thoughts and emotions, which can make us feel depressed, anxious, or angry.

For example, we may realize that we have spent years feeling bad about something, like our job or relationship, but have been ignoring it. Meditation brings these painful thoughts and emotions to the surface, and it is better to acknowledge and deal with them than to ignore them until they blow up in our faces.

It is important to remember that anger is not always bad; it can be a way of releasing pent-up emotions that need to come out. Meditation gives us an opportunity to process these emotions in a healthy way. When we feel angry during meditation, we can ask ourselves if this is an emotion we have been suppressing for a long time.

Additionally, it is crucial to be patient during meditation. It can be challenging for beginners to just sit and focus on their breath, as our minds are accustomed to constant stimulation and activity. It takes time and practice to train our minds to meditate effectively.

The mind is accustomed to busyness, so stopping can feel jarring

The mind is accustomed to constant activity, with a stream of noise in our heads. We're always busy with things like television, social media, social conversations, work, and so on. There aren't many times in life when we do nothing but breathe. So, when we sit and do nothing but focus on our breath, our minds react. It can feel strange and jarring to simply stop. The mind thinks, "Why am I doing nothing? I'm missing out on something!" and so it becomes angry because it is not being stimulated.

This doesn't mean that meditating is a bad thing or that you're doing it wrong. It just means that you're not used to it. If you stick to meditation for a few weeks, you will soon feel okay doing nothing. It is beneficial to have quiet times when your mind isn't constantly filled with noise and stimulation.

Meditation brings up unwanted thoughts and feelings that we may have been ignoring. We often distract ourselves with TV, social media, and other activities to avoid dealing with these thoughts and emotions. However, ignoring them is not healthy and can lead to a mental breakdown. Meditation brings these thoughts and feelings to the surface, and it is better to acknowledge and address them than to ignore them until they blow up in our faces.

It is important to be patient during meditation and not expect immediate results. It can take time and consistent practice to see the benefits of meditation. Additionally, it is crucial to find the right technique that works for you.

Meditation can make you more aware of your feelings

Meditation is supposed to make you feel calm, relaxed, and less stressed. So, it can be surprising when you feel angry or irritated during or after meditation. But this is not unusual and does not mean that you are meditating in the wrong way.

Unwanted thoughts and feelings

Meditation can bring up unwanted thoughts and feelings that you may have been ignoring. Many people distract themselves with noise, TV, or social media, and as a result, they do not acknowledge their true thoughts and feelings. However, ignoring your thoughts and feelings is not healthy and can lead to a mental breakdown. When you meditate, you become aware of these thoughts and feelings. Realising that you have painful thoughts and emotions is not going to make you happy and can make you feel depressed, anxious, or angry. But it is better to acknowledge your feelings than to ignore them and have them blow up in your face.

Impatience during meditation

If you are not accustomed to meditating, it can be hard to just sit and focus on your breath. Most people are used to constant noise in their minds and are always busy with things like television, social media, work, etc. So, when you sit and do nothing but focus on your breath, your mind reacts. It thinks, "Why am I doing nothing? I'm missing out on something!" and so, your mind becomes angry because it is not being stimulated. But if you stick to meditation for a few weeks, you will soon feel okay doing nothing, which is great because your mind needs quiet times.

Not getting results

It is only natural to want to get things out of meditation. You want to relax, feel happy, and maybe even become enlightened. And when you don't get what you want, you feel angry. It can take time to get results from meditating. Most scientific studies show that we get the benefits of meditation when we do it for around 20 minutes per day for eight weeks. So, if you haven't been meditating for that long or consistently, remind yourself that if you stick to it for 20 minutes a day for eight weeks, you will see the results you want.

You are coming out of meditation too quickly

If you get deep into meditation and then come out really fast, it can cause irritability. Always take time to come out of meditation slowly.

You are straining in meditation

Ideally, meditation is effortless. If you realise that you are trying too hard, back off. It could make you irritable if you are making too much effort.

Compassion-based meditation styles

If you are feeling angry after meditation, try some compassion (or loving-kindness) based meditation styles. Finding compassion for yourself and those around you can be a powerful neutralizer of angry feelings and irritability.

You may be coming out of meditation too quickly

If you are getting angry after meditating, it could be because you are coming out of your meditative state too quickly. If you get deep into meditation and then snap out of it too fast, it can cause a headache or irritability. It is important to take your time when coming out of meditation. Slowly ease yourself out of your meditative state, and this may help to reduce feelings of anger.

It is also important to remember that meditation is not supposed to be about clearing your mind or finding immediate peace and happiness. It is about getting to know yourself and your thoughts and feelings. It is about accepting and letting go. So, if you are feeling angry during or after meditation, try to accept that anger and let it go.

Meditation can bring up unwanted thoughts and feelings, and that is okay. It is better to acknowledge these feelings than to ignore them. Meditation gives you an opportunity to deal with these thoughts and feelings in a healthy way. It may take time to get results from meditating, so stick with it, and you will soon feel the benefits.

If you are new to meditation, try mindful breathing, meditative walking, Zen, or mantras. Avoid advanced meditation methods until you have more experience.

You may be straining during meditation

Meditation is supposed to make you feel calm, relaxed, and happy, right? So, why is it that you feel angry after meditating? Well, the first thing to remember is that just because you feel angry doesn't mean that you should stop meditating or that you are meditating in the wrong way.

Straining During Meditation

Meditation is ideally effortless. However, if you are straining during meditation, it could be the reason for your irritability. You may be trying too hard to reach a certain state of mind, which is creating frustration and making you irritable.

Meditation is about being mindful of your thoughts and observing them without judgment. It is not about clearing your thoughts or finding peace and happiness. The goal is to be aware of your thoughts and feelings and accept them without trying to change or suppress them.

If you are forcing yourself to meditate in a certain way or trying to achieve a specific outcome, it may be counterproductive and lead to frustration and anger. Instead, try to let go of your expectations and simply observe your thoughts and feelings without judgment.

Be Patient and Consistent

It is important to be patient with yourself and your meditation practice. It can take time and consistent practice to see the benefits of meditation. Remember that it is a skill that you are developing, and it may take time to master it.

Seek Alternative Techniques

If you are new to meditation, it is recommended to start with basic techniques such as mindful breathing, meditative walking, Zen, or mantras. Avoid advanced methods until you have established a solid foundation. You may also want to try different techniques to find what works best for you.

Accept and Feel Your Emotions

When you feel angry during or after meditation, it is important to acknowledge and accept your feelings. Try to observe the physical sensations of anger in your body without getting caught up in the story your mind creates around it. Remember that anger is a valid emotion, and it is okay to feel and express it in a healthy way.

Seek Professional Guidance

If you continue to struggle with anger during meditation or feel that it is affecting your daily life, consider seeking guidance from a qualified meditation teacher or therapist. They can provide personalized advice and support to help you manage your anger and improve your meditation practice.

Frequently asked questions