[AquaGuy]

I have never had anything like this all of my life, for 23 years, and suddenly I am having them regularly.

When I say random, I really mean random, I’m not just exaggerating. Here is what happens:
I will meditate before going to work, and as ai finish meditating, even if the meditation wasn’t the best, I will be completely fine. Then, once I get to work, I can just be walking upstairs in the warehouse or just picking an order and out of nowhere I will feel the urge to cry and scream and sob. I won’t cry with tears, unless I stand there and focus on the feeling, but will dry sob, almost reaching a full blown panic attack.

I used to have panic attacks every now and again (never severe, only minor) as a child as I have haemophobia (fear of blood) because I was one of those kids that had loads of nosebleeds, but I dealt with that and now never get them and only have a mild fear mow. I haven’t felt phobia strength fear for a few years now, and because of that I learned how to catch myself before having a dull-blown panic attack and calm down very quickly.

On that note, which is what makes these attacks stranger still, I have always been an extremely passive, non-violent, laid-back, extremely calm person. I was so passive in school, bullies literally got bored of me. Haha. So when I’ve started to have these attacks or whatever they are, it feels rather diconsertong to me.

The only thing I can come up with is suppressed emotions are surfacing during meditation when my mind is quiet. However, when that happens to meditators, as described by some Tibetan Monks from my research, it’s usually only a few tears or maybe a quick boot of anger and a need to punch something...nothing as extreme as what I’m experiencing.

Does anyone on here have any experience with these sort of attacks?

Thanks. Peace.

[Emotionally Dead]

I have these moments, but I wouldn't really say mine are random. It usually is triggered by something, something that brings back a memory or gets me thinking about a particular event in my life. I would think that these bouts for you would have to be triggered by something. Could it have something to do with your job? Or is there anything around you when these bouts happen that would cause a sort of memory reflex?

Those are the sorts of questions I would be asking myself. I also firmly believe that a good cry can be a good thing, even for us men (which I assume you are judging by your name). When I am feeling that urge, I will usually wait until I am home alone and I will listen to some music and just let it out. Then the next day is a new day and I go about my business. It might not work for everyone, but if the urge is there I do feel we need to let it out even if no one really wants to feel sad. We were born with emotions for a reason, and I feel we are supposed to experience them all in some form or fashion.

Also, as for your last part, I think that is entirely possible. Remember, too, just because it may not be "normal" for other people doesn't mean it isn't normal for us. We are all built differently and things affect us differently.

[wolfgaze]

Originally Posted by AquaGuy

The only thing I can come up with is suppressed emotions are surfacing during meditation when my mind is quiet.

That was exactly my impression... That the meditative practices are likely having the effect of facilitating the release of suppressed/subconscious emotional material (energy)... Stuff that eventually needed to be purged (released)...

Originally Posted by AquaGuy

However, when that happens to meditators, as described by some Tibetan Monks from my research, it’s usually only a few tears or maybe a quick boot of anger and a need to punch something...nothing as extreme as what I’m experiencing.

Personally, I don't believe it's a wise practice to try to compare/contrast your experience(s) with that of accounts from some specific subculture (i.e. 'Tibetan Monks')... The nature of human experiences is complex, and quite diverse and varied... There is no mold to conform to - you know?

Originally Posted by AquaGuy

Does anyone on here have any experience with these sort of attacks?

Yes....

I experienced spontaneous and deeply-healing emotional releases during a time in my life when I was undergoing substantial internal growth and changes... After the emotional activity/energy passed through me - I recall having felt lighter afterwards, and like some kind of weight/burden had been lifted off me...

You used the word 'attacks' but I perceive them as 'blessings in disguise'...

~wolfgaze

[Carmina]

Good points, yes I think this is potentially a healing process, there are emotions that need to come out and be processed. I went through the same last year, there were issues coming close to the surface I'd been suppressing for a long time.

[MickeyCheeky]

Yes, they may be a result of your meditations. If it happens regularly, when you do that, that might be the cause. I'd ask a doctor to be sure.

[Shazerac]

My experience with random sobbing is that there is something bubbling under the surface that’s about to breaking through. A memory, a realization, or some other thing.