[UglyDucky]

I'm struggling with repressed memories in therapy. A couple of months ago, I started mindful meditation - on my own and not a part of therapy. Two nights ago, I was engaged in a mindful meditation exercise in which I think of a difficult situation, like an argument I might have had with my T. I think about the problem, turn it over in my mind, look at it as a meditative object, then let it go.

While I was meditating, I saw flashes of images of what might have been things that happened in childhood (nothing traumatic, but sad).

Does anyone know if mindful meditation, or any meditation, can bring up repressed memories? Since I look at repressed memories as memories forgotten, I don't put any special value on the word "repressed."

Any opinions or experiences anyone can share will be greatly appreciated!!

[Out There]

I do this and get memories , they can be flashes or bits of things , sometimes from childhood or any part of my life.

[ThisWayOut]

I can't mediate because of what comes up. I've spent so much time in my life trying to dissociate from my experiences that I can't handle being flooded with them. There's information and studies out there about the difficulty of mindfulness for trauma survivors with dissociative symptoms. It doesn't necessarily bring up trauma memories or forgotten memories, but it allows you to be present in your body and forces you to pay attention to stuff you may have been expending energy on avoiding.

[MobiusPsyche]

I've got a history of childhood trauma and current dissociation and I was reluctant to try meditation but it has helped me. I tell my therapist that I don't know if I'm doing it "right" or not, and sometimes I suspect I'm just dissociating and that's why I feel calm afterwards. But it has helped me to be calmer throughout the day, not just while I'm meditating.

ETA: I've never had memories while doing it but I wouldn't rule that out.

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[Trippin2.0]

I've had a traumatizing repressed memory surface the very first time I tried it. Made me hurl. Which was most embarrassing as I had to flee s room full of classmates.


These days I just don't like mindfulness and as long as the same words are not being repeated as in that very first experience, it doesn't trigger any memories.