Is It Normal to Cry During Meditation?

Is It Normal To Cry During Meditation?

As someone who is easily moved, I can tell you crying is nothing to be ashamed of, especially during meditation. 

Crying can be a form of catharsis, and meditation may be the catalyst for that release of emotion. To heal your spirit, you might need to cry a lot, and that’s OK.

Think of pain, stress and trauma as tears that linger in little reservoirs in the mind and body.

When you cry, you’re draining these reservoirs. This process makes space for meditation to be more effective in reaching goals such as self-discovery and insight into creative projects.

Is it Normal to Cry During Meditation?

It is completely normal to cry during meditation. Crying should not be stigmatized.

What we do want to challenge is the word, “normal.” 

We wanted to meet you where you are by using that language, but “normal” has some connotations that don’t mesh with meditation.

Let’s examine the definition of normal: “conforming to a type, standard, or regular pattern : characterized by that which is considered usual, typical, or routine.”

With meditation, there is no standard, type or regular pattern to conform to because the practice is personal and open-ended, the experience depends on the individual.

If you perceive meditation as some sort of spiritual workout routine that should be performed the way another person is doing it, you won’t be able to pursue a meaningful path.

The Personality Factor

Because I’m very sensitive, it doesn’t take much to make me cry. 

The other day I watched this cheesy ad for Google, and I teared up a bit. I didn’t feel like I did anything wrong, but I wished that my crying could be reserved for powerful moments of insight and self-reflection.

Conversely, there are people who cry rarely. 

Even intensely painful realizations are often not enough to break their armor. People with this personality type are able to derive more meaning from the moments when they tear up, but they also tend to be emotionally unavailable.

If you cry during meditation, take note of what you’re crying about. Remember that meditation is all about balance. People like me might benefit from crying less, while others could experience greater catharsis if they cried more.

Cry, Then Act

Crying is healthy if it is followed by action. I’m not saying you need to jump into action the moment you dry your tears, but there should be a plan on the horizon. What’s making you cry? Can you do something to address that problem?

The only time crying is unhealthy is when we don’t address the source of pain. Let’s not romanticize crying or become attached to episodes of wailing.

Why Do I Cry During Meditation?

There are many reasons why I cry during meditation:

  • I realize something important and moving about myself
  • I reflect on how poorly someone treated me, how much I put up with
  • I feel triumph in overcoming obstacles
  • I feel grateful for privileges
  • I think of something sad (as I mentioned before, not necessarily something meaningful)

Your reasons might be completely different than mine, and that’s OK. Analyze the cause of your reasons, but try not to judge the act of weeping.

What Does It Mean If You Cry While Meditating?

It doesn’t necessarily mean anything. If you assume all crying is meaningful, you could accidentally chase insights that don’t exist.

If the crying is a reaction to a deep insight or emotion, it has meaning. 

For those who often cry about the past, we recommend working with a therapist. 

If you aren’t sure what actions to take to solve the problems that are causing your pain, consider consulting a life coach whose practice is present and future-oriented. We also recommend finding mentors who have cried over similar issues. 

Crying doesn’t need to be solitary, although we understand that the stigma can be harder to cope with if people are around. 

If your meditation triggers a productive but painful growth process that causes you to cry frequently, surround yourself only with supportive peers and professionals who will help you heal and find meaning.

No matter the situation, crying is nothing to be worried about. If anything, it could be the beginning of a journey toward self-discovery and spiritual enlightenment.

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Joshua Levy
Joshua Levy
I have bee seeing Soken for while now. If you have some sort of lingering physcial malady go see him, don't wait. He's pretty busy and it might take some time to get in so call right now. Some of my injuries and pain that I have had for years have been greatly relieved by his rolfing work and he's also just a great human being. I would totally go see him for his other services as well. Rolfing doesn't need to be super intense though it can be. He will calibrate to what you need
Philippa Newman
Philippa Newman
I cannot recommend Soken highly enough. He will literally transform your life. I first came to meet Soken for his Rolfing services when I had been living with unbearable lower back pain for over a year. Numerous visits to doctors, various x-rays and months of physical therapy later, I was no better off and desperate to find an alternative solution. Having read about Rolfing as a technique, I discovered Soken's practice in NYC. I am now back pain free and able to do things I thought no longer possible. As I learned more about Soken during our Rolfing sessions, I became interested in his spiritual life coaching /contemplative guidance program. His carefully tailored program has given me enormous insight, and I am a better person, mother and leader as a result. Soken has a calming, peaceful and reassuring presence, and I am extremely grateful to have met him when I did.
A Rice
A Rice
Soken is an amazing coach that will get to the essence of your issues. Difficult issues seem to become easier handle talking to Soken. He is a great coach to have, especially in these times. He is clear and ensures you leave each session with an understanding and a plan of action.
Maya Kumits
Maya Kumits
I’ve been going to Soken for years for my bodywork and sending everyone I know to him too. The work he does with his hands is incredible - I cannot say enough good things. This review, however, is for life coaching. I was faced with a decision recently that I was having trouble making. I was going in circles. I kept changing my mind because I ultimately had no idea what to do. I felt lost and confused. I reached out to Soken for help and was so glad I did. After struggling for weeks trying to figure out the right thing to do, a 1-hour call with him gave me the clarity I needed. By answering a series of thoughtful questions and hearing my answers reflected back to me, I was able to untangle the signal from the noise. By the end of the call, the answer revealed itself. It’s been a few weeks since our call and I still feel great about the decision. I’m so grateful to Soken for helping me with this and won’t hesitate to reach out again for more life coaching.
Marni Gordon
Marni Gordon
I highly recommend Soken as he's a fantastic coach! Soken really helped me set clear goals and measures, helped me to get to insight, and ensures that I have a strong action plan with accountability in every session. Soken's coaching helped me overcome the fear of taking the next step. Soken is sensitive and provides compassionate support through the process.
faraz khan
faraz khan
Soken is an exceptionally intelligent person who seems to understand any multiple of bodily issues. I've been struggling with a reoccurring injury the past few years, and already after the first session I can sense a lot of good has been done. I highly recommend him to anyone 😊
Shonni Silverberg
Shonni Silverberg
I got to know Soken as a client of his Rolfing practice, where his expertise was immeasurably valuable in treating my plantar fasciitis. During the COVID crisis, Soken introduced me to meditation. Practicing under his guidance has been extremely helpful in these turbulent times. Shonni J. Silverberg, M.D., New York, NY
Anaina Mascovich
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Lena Elkousy
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This review is long overdue, and I would give 10 stars if I could. I cannot recommend Soken's work highly enough. Rolfing is an investment in my physical and emotional health that I wish I had made long ago. To put it quite simply, Soken has changed my life. When we work together, he listens to what I say and what my body says, and works with me right where I am. He is a true healer. In our first series of sessions, he permanently relieved shoulder/neck pain and unfurled a chronic knot that no amount of years of deep tissue massage could even touch. One side of my ribcage was bound with fascia and scar tissue from physical and emotional trauma, to the point that I couldn't breathe into my lower right lung without feeling cramping in surrounding muscles. Over a few sessions, he set me free, and you can actually see the difference in the shape of my ribs. In a series other sessions, he relieved sharp cramping in my feet that I've dealt with since childhood. As a yogi and meditator myself, I find Soken's integrative approach quite profound. Do yourself a favor and an act of self love: and go see this wizard.
Stella Nyla Jules
Stella Nyla Jules
Soken has been transformational in improving and diminishing the increasing pain in my neck and shoulder that traditional physical therapies failed to resolve. His patience, caring, and intuition are top notch.

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