Does meditation increase emotional sensitivity?
In this talk Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche presents insights into the emotional experiences encountered during meditation.
Yongey elucidates the normal progression of emotions during meditation, challenging common perceptions of immediate and lasting peace.
He explains that while one may initially feel a sense of tranquility, deeper emotions and thoughts may surface, leading to a perceived worsening of one’s emotional state.
However, Yongey reassures practitioners that this process is beneficial, as it allows for the purification and cleansing of hidden emotions and thoughts.
Central to effective meditation, Yongey emphasizes the importance of recognizing and not becoming attached to negative emotions.
He underscores that the ultimate goal is the development of awareness, which remains constant regardless of the fluctuating emotional landscape.
Furthermore, Yongey highlights the integral role of both positive and negative experiences in the meditation journey.
Drawing on the analogy of a journey to Lhasa, he elucidates how ups and downs are natural occurrences, leading to gradual realization and diminishing reactivity to emotions and thoughts.
Ultimately, Yongey asserts that all phenomena can serve as supports for meditation, facilitating the discovery of an “inner safe place” within awareness.
Through his teachings, practitioners are encouraged to embrace the entirety of their meditation experiences, recognizing them as essential steps toward inner growth and realization.
