Just a quick question as to what kind of perspectives I can have regarding the experience of random (not traumatic, nor repeating) memories that just pop up during sitting meditation practice.
The common thread is that they were all forgotten, but other than that, they seem completely meaningless...
I wonder if you have it also?

One thing I've heard is that while in certain meditative states the brain re-wires which may, on the LR side, be experienced as new memories being formed.\re-surfacing..

Yours
love,
G

If you're remembering them, how can they be forgotten?

we seem to replay the highlights by habit but its refreshing to dig out some new, old memories...  probably a sign of breaking the mould and opening to emotions.. and information flowing outside of the mould.

---

the fabric begins to tear
and i don't really care

Hi G,

I think you should not pay too much attention on these passing memories.. part of the sitting technique as I understand it is that you recognize each thought or memory that arises as what it is, let it stay for a while and then let it go. Just watch it come, stay and go, come stay & go etc. For me it always helps to concentrate on the breath: in, out, in out etc. Be patient and try to maintain your inner balance, then success will come.

And yes sometimes it's interesting to follow these memories and see where they lead you, but that's another story, for another time. :-)

witz

Not sure I agree there, Witz. It's a sign of unresolved past trauma which needs to be dealt with in a psychotherapeutic context.

I would recommend 'The Power of Focusing' as a good start.

There's no point having past memories floating about if you're trying to stay in the Present - they drag you here and there. They need to be dealt with on their own terms.

Everyone has to go through this; it's nothing special or unusual.

Dan.

As someone who has been around the block with just about all meditative states, I can speak to this one. This sort of memory flow becomes apparent as the mind quiets down. As you access certain concentrative states you see the inner workings of consciousness. It's a natural catharsis, or emptying.

Let me emphasize that you are not "doing" anything, right? They just happen. It's a certain flow of consciousness that happens.

That you are aware of it shows that your practice is working. It may be part of your background experience for years and years. It means nothing. It's just an emptying.

It's presence emptying into presence!

Laura