"I’m not very good at meditation."
When I ask why, the answers are usually the same:
- "I get too many thoughts."
- "I start coughing."
- "I feel anxious or agitated."
- "My body moves or rocks."
- "I struggle to keep my eyes closed."
People assume meditation should feel calm, quiet, and peaceful all the time. When it doesn’t, they think they’re doing something wrong.
But these are often signs that meditation is working exactly as it should.
Meditation isn’t about forcing the mind into silence. It’s about allowing the body and nervous system to release accumulated stress and tension. When that begins to happen, certain experiences can arise that people mistakenly interpret as failure.
Some of the most common ones are:
1. "I Get Too Many Thoughts"
This is probably the number one reason people think they’re bad at meditation.
However thinking during meditation is a function of stress releasing in the physical body which activates the mind.
Even more interestingly, when the body begins releasing stress, the mind can temporarily become more active, not less. This is part of the mind processing and unwinding stored experiences.
So if you're having thoughts during meditation, it doesn’t mean you’re failing.
It means you're releasing stress.
2. "I Start Coughing During Meditation"
Coughing can surprise people during meditation.
They’ll say:
"I never cough normally, but every time I meditate I start coughing."
This is often linked to the throat area/chakra relaxing and releasing tension or blockages.
The throat is an energetic and emotional centre where we hold unexpressed feelings, suppressed words, and stress. When the nervous system relaxes deeply, this area can begin to release.
That release sometimes shows up as:
- coughing
- throat clearing
- swallowing
- changes in breathing
It’s simply the body letting go of tension and blocks being cleared.
3. "I Feel Anxious or Agitated"
People expect meditation to always make them calm.
But sometimes the opposite happens.
When we finally sit still and close our eyes, the nervous system begins shifting from constant activity into a more relaxed state. As it does, stored stress and emotional energy can start to surface.
This may show up as:
- restlessness
- agitation
- anxiety
- uncomfortable feelings
It means the anxiety that was already stored in the nervous system is beginning to release.
Think of it like shaking a bottle of sediment. When it first moves, the water gets cloudy before it becomes clear.
Meditation can temporarily stir things up as the system reorganises itself.
And that’s a healthy part of the process.4. "My Body Moves or Rocks"
Some people notice their body:
- swaying
- rocking
- pulsing
- leaning forward or backward
- twitching slightly
But these movements are often the kundalini energy stirring and moving up your spinal column. If you think this is woo-woo, then just look at the logo for the World Health Organisation, the American Medical Association and the American Cancer Society....they all use the kundalini symbol that represents health and vitality.When deep relaxation occurs, the body sometimes adjusts itself automatically and starts to unravel this blocked vital source of energy.
Rather than something being wrong, it's often a sign that you are activating your energy source!5. "I Struggle to Keep My Eyes Closed"
Another common experience is difficulty keeping the eyes closed.
People may feel the urge to:
- open their eyes
- peek
- blink repeatedly
- feel tension around the eyelids
For many people, closing the eyes removes the normal distractions and stimulation the brain relies on. When that stimulation drops away, the mind can briefly try to re-engage the external world.
Over time, as meditation and the inward gaze becomes familiar and the nervous system settles, this usually fades.Meditation is not about performing perfectly. It’s not about having a blank mind. And it’s not about feeling peaceful every time you sit. Meditation is about allowing the body and mind to reset. Sometimes that reset feels calm and blissful. Other times it involves releasing tension that has been stored for years.
Both are part of the journey.Instead of asking:
"Am I good at meditation?"
A more helpful question might be:
"Am I allowing the process to unfold?"
Because often, the things people worry about most in meditation are actually signs that something important is happening beneath the surface.
Your nervous system is recalibrating.
Your body is releasing stress.
Your mind is unwinding.
And that is exactly what meditation is meant to do.
