I've been involved with the idea of meditation since I was a teenager... which is a l-o-n-g... time ago! And over the course of all those years I've read quite a few books on the subject. Most of them I no longer own. I don't even remember their titles or their authors' names at this point.

However, every so often, some little tidbit I read in some book pops back into my thoughts for some reason. Yesterday I recalled reading, in one of the books I read years ago: if you haven't cried during your meditation practice, then your real meditation practice has yet to begin...

I sometimes think the mindfulness movement has put so much emphasis on the idea of focusing on the present moment, of being here now, that allot of the real power of the meditation process is being lost. I posted a Thread in the Spirituality forum this morning offering the following quote from the Buddhist nun Ani Pema Chödrön. I said that I consider this quote to contain the essence of what Ani Pema's teachings are all about. The rest is "supporting material":

STAY PRESENT, WITHOUT SECURITY
Instead of asking ourselves, “How can I find security and happiness?” we could ask ourselves, “Can I touch the center of my pain? Can I sit with suffering, both yours and mine, without trying to make it go away? Can I stay present to the ache of loss or disgrace—disappointment in all its many forms—and let it open me?” This is the trick.

Namaste

[Altered Moment]

"My safety lies in my defenselessness" is a similar quote that has always stuck with me. It comes from "Course in Miracles"

I have never cried in meditation and I have been practicing many years. I know I have gone into my sub conscience many times and observed it but maybe not deep enough. Sometimes I can go years without crying but then at other times I cry at the drop of a hat. Recently that has been true. I cry at the craziest things. It feels good and releasing if I am in a situation where I can let myself go and cry. Sometimes I am too embarrassed.

[Gus1234U]

i find my deepest understanding to be found when following the Mind Training slogans. for years i didn't understand 'cognitive therapy', until i read the Lojong technique for changing oneself. here is a link to an article that lists 19 of the 59 slogans in very short and concise language. i hope you find some inspiration in them.

Shambhala Sun - Lojong: How to Awaken Your Heart

[kapis]

Skeezyks,

I obviously don't have your expertise in meditation, just wanted to share a thought that we sometimes discuss in my meditative-yoga practices. [I hope I am not mis-quoting here as I am not a yoga instructor.] The yoga poses are 'designed' open the flow of energy to different parts and emotional centers of your body. Thus if you an unresolved issue, this will show up as a blocked energy in your body. Once a blocked channel starts opening, many people cry. I guess it is the body's way of removing toxins?

I would imagine a similar thing could happen with meditation? What do you think?

I don't mean to hi-jack this thread, but I wish someone would start a book list/review section of psych central for us dummies...

Or is there one?

Originally Posted by kapis

Skeezyks,

I obviously don't have your expertise in meditation, just wanted to share a thought that we sometimes discuss in my meditative-yoga practices. [I hope I am not mis-quoting here as I am not a yoga instructor.] The yoga poses are 'designed' open the flow of energy to different parts and emotional centers of your body. Thus if you an unresolved issue, this will show up as a blocked energy in your body. Once a blocked channel starts opening, many people cry. I guess it is the body's way of removing toxins?

I would imagine a similar thing could happen with meditation? What do you think?

Yes, I believe you are correct, kapis. Thank you for offering this insight! Actually there is a whole "field" of meditation practice which is typically referred to as "insight meditation". If my memory serves... I think the author: Jack Kornfield is a proponent of this type of meditation. Anyway, thanks again... I do a bit of gentle yoga myself too.

Originally Posted by sophiesmom

I don't mean to hi-jack this thread, but I wish someone would start a book list/review section of psych central for us dummies...

Or is there one?

Hi sophiesmom: No problem at all... glad you stopped by! I don't believe there is such a thing here. It certainly would be interesting. I'll bet it would build up quickly! Perhaps this idea could be suggest in the technical assistance forum.