Meditation's Dark Side: Why Does It Make Me Sad?

Meditation is often touted as a panacea for a range of mental health issues, but it can sometimes have adverse effects, leaving people feeling sad, angry, or depressed. One study found that 63% of people experienced at least one negative side effect from meditation, including confusion and depression, and in rarer cases, mania and psychosis. So, why does meditation sometimes make people sad? One theory is that meditation increases awareness, and when the mind is quiet, difficult emotions can come to the surface. Another theory is that meditation is a process of un-smudging yourself and your true feelings, which can be an emotional experience.

Meditation can elicit difficult emotions, like crying

Meditation is often hailed as a panacea for stress and a tool to achieve Zen-like calm. However, it can sometimes have the opposite effect, leading to feelings of sadness, confusion, or even anger. This phenomenon is not uncommon, and there are several reasons why meditation may elicit difficult emotions, including crying.

Firstly, meditation is a practice of introspection, a process of peeling back the layers of one's psyche to reveal the authentic self. During this process, repressed or unnoticed emotions may come to the surface. These emotions can be intense and overwhelming, especially if one has been coping with the busyness of life or avoiding facing difficult feelings. The act of meditation slows down the mind, creating space for these emotions to arise, and sometimes, the intensity of these feelings can lead to crying.

Secondly, meditation increases self-awareness. As one becomes more aware of their thoughts and feelings, they may also become more attuned to underlying sadness or unresolved grief. This heightened awareness can bring these emotions to the forefront, leading to a release through crying.

Additionally, meditation can be a form of mental detox, and just like any other detox, it can release emotional toxins. Crying during or after meditation can be a natural part of this process, helping individuals to let go of their past selves and make room for personal growth.

It is important to note that crying during meditation is not necessarily a negative experience. It can be therapeutic and help individuals connect with their emotions, move through them, and learn something about themselves. However, if meditation consistently triggers intense or distressing emotions, it may be advisable to seek support from a mental health professional.

Overall, while meditation can elicit difficult emotions and crying, it is also an opportunity to embrace and accept these feelings as part of the human experience. By understanding the potential challenges and benefits of meditation, individuals can navigate their practice with greater awareness and self-compassion.

It can make you feel more aware of your thoughts and emotions

Meditation can make you feel more aware of your thoughts and emotions. It is a practice of "un-smudging" yourself to see who you truly are. It helps you realise the ultimate truth about yourself. When you begin this process of self-discovery, a lot of emotional distress can be revealed. This could be grief, sadness, or even joy. These emotions might come up when you first start meditating, and like any other detox, this mental detox will reveal and release a lot of toxins. In order to let go of your past, those emotions must come up to the surface.

Meditation increases your awareness. It shines a light on thoughts, emotions, urges—everything that arises in your consciousness. If you only do this step, feelings of depression, anger, and so on are common. You indulge the thoughts, you indulge the feelings they give rise to, and suddenly you are lost, hopeless, and even suicidal. However, when you are taught to meditate properly, you learn not to indulge what arises. This is done through practice—you have an anchor, usually your breath or a mantra, and you focus your attention on that anchor. When you notice yourself getting lost in thought, you guide your attention back to the anchor. Over and over again. This process trains you not to indulge but to simply notice and let things "be as they are."

When you are meditating, you might find yourself crying. This is quite common, and although meditation usually serves as a stress reliever, it can also elicit difficult emotions. This isn't always a bad thing, though. "Letting it all out" can be therapeutic. Crying is an important form of stress release and can lower your levels of cortisol. Repressing your emotions has been linked to increased rates of cardiovascular disease and a higher propensity toward depression and anxiety.

If you find yourself crying during meditation, you can use this as a chance to practice self-love and self-acceptance. Notice the thoughts you are having about the crying. Are you judging yourself for being too emotional? Whatever thoughts you are having, just observe them without judgement. Also, notice what is happening in your body. Is your breathing tighter and heavier than usual? Are other parts of your body affected by your crying? By observing your body, your breathing, and your thoughts, you can begin to accept and move through your emotions.

It can make you feel more in touch with repressed feelings

Meditation can sometimes bring up repressed feelings, which can be a confusing and overwhelming experience. This may be because meditation increases your awareness of your thoughts and emotions, bringing them to the surface. It is a chance to quiet the "hustle and bustle" of your mind, and when the distractions of daily life fall away, more potent emotions can come to the fore.

These emotions may be ones that you have kept inside to cope with the busyness of life, or because they were too challenging to face. They can include grief, sadness, or joy. This process of un-smudging the layers of your consciousness can be likened to a mental detox, which can be intense and revealing.

The important thing to remember is that this is a normal and even beneficial part of the process. Crying is not a sign of weakness but a natural and necessary release of stress and negative emotions. It can help you get in touch with your feelings, move through them, and learn something about yourself.

If you find that meditation is triggering difficult memories, traumas, or exacerbating mental health issues, it may be helpful to reach out to a mental health professional or therapist for support. They can provide guidance and tools to help you process and manage these emotions effectively.

It can bring up past traumas or difficult memories

Meditation is often marketed as a stress-relief tool, but it can also be a way to bring up past traumas or difficult memories. When you start meditating, you begin the process of peeling back the layers of your consciousness, and this can lead to the revelation of emotional distress. This could be grief, sadness or joy—a whole host of emotions can come to the surface when you meditate.

In order to let go of your past, you have to confront it. This can be difficult, but it is an important step in the process of self-discovery and self-improvement. Crying is a natural response to this process, and it can be a powerful tool for healing. It is important to let yourself feel these emotions fully and then release them.

Meditation can make you more aware of your thoughts and emotions, and this increased awareness can be overwhelming. It can bring up difficult memories or traumas that you have been trying to avoid. This is why it is important to have an anchor when you meditate—something to focus on and guide you back to the present moment if you start to feel lost in your thoughts and emotions.

If you find that meditation is triggering intense or difficult emotions, it might be helpful to speak to a therapist or counsellor. They can support you in processing these emotions and understanding their source. It is also important to be gentle with yourself and practise self-care after a particularly emotional meditation session.

It can be a chance to learn about and accept your emotions

Meditation is often marketed as a stress-relief tool, but it is also a chance to learn about and accept your emotions.

Meditation can help you realise the truth about yourself. When you begin the process of "un-smudging" the layers, a lot of emotional distress will be revealed. This could be grief, sadness, or joy. A lot of emotions will come up when you first start meditating. This mental detox will reveal and release a lot of toxins. In order to let go of your past, the past must come up in the form of emotions.

It is important to let these emotions come up and then let them go. Do not hold on to them. Cry if you want to. Whatever emotion you are feeling, feel it intensely, lean into it, and then release it. Tears are a great healer—a good cry can help you release negativity and toxicity. Crying during meditation is not a sign of weakness or that something is wrong. It is a necessary step in the process of letting go of your past selves. Crying can be positive because it can help you get in touch with your emotions, move through them, and learn something about yourself.

If you sit down to meditate and find that you are crying, you can use this as a chance to practice self-love and self-acceptance. Notice the thoughts you are having about the crying. Are you judging yourself for being too emotional? Whatever thoughts you are having, just observe them; try not to judge them. As you are crying, notice what is happening in your body. Is your breathing tighter and heavier than usual? Are you able to slow down your breath? Again, just observe what happens as you notice your body, your breathing, and your thoughts.

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