Swallowing While Meditating?

[ViolaGirl]

Hey, so this probably sounds rather silly, but it is a consistent problem I have been having. I seem to have trouble NOT swallowing while meditating. What I mean is, I have to swallow, and the energy it takes is taking me out of that relaxed state required for meditation. I tried just NOT swallowing instead, but what happens is that water builds up in my mouth and continues to accumulate until I HAVE to swallow. This has been a big problem for me and a big obstacle for improving my meditation skills, but I'm not sure what to do. Has anyone had any similar problems? Any suggestions?

[Ahautenites]

I find the best way to forget about needing to swallow is to position my tongue and jaws so that the jaws are slightly apart and the front of my tongue rests right up against front of my upper palate and upper teeth. It's the position that is most natural for when you fall asleep (this position keeps you from snoring or accidentally swallowing your tongue). If it feels strained or uncomfortable, you're not doing it right.

[Fiamma]

Hey, so this probably sounds rather silly, but it is a consistent problem I have been having. I seem to have trouble NOT swallowing while meditating. What I mean is, I have to swallow, and the energy it takes is taking me out of that relaxed state required for meditation. I tried just NOT swallowing instead, but what happens is that water builds up in my mouth and continues to accumulate until I HAVE to swallow. This has been a big problem for me and a big obstacle for improving my meditation skills, but I'm not sure what to do. Has anyone had any similar problems? Any suggestions?


I swallow while mediatating, don't have a problem with it. At first it seemed a bit distracting but I stopped thinking about it. It's a relfex. No different really than breathing or blinking.

[ViolaGirl]

I'll try the tongue thing. Honestly, I wonder what I do during the day while swallowing. Whether meditating or not, as soon as I think about swallowing (like right now) I start to do it more and it feels forced, I think. I wonder what I do usually during the day when I'm not thinking about it and don't KNOW, because I'm not thinking about it. GRAH! But I'll try that tongue thing tonight. Thanks. :)

[Mainedruid]

I'm trying to think of a wise guy comment but nothing is comming to me.... I hate that.

I havnt really paid much attention to swallowing while meditating.... maybe put a cotton ball in your mouth to soak up all that spit... :hahugh:

just kidding... I know its lame, but its the best i could come up with tonight

Mikey

[Mouse]

Good question. I think everyone has trouble with this at some stage but most are too embarrased to ask. 10 points for you :)

I'm going to try the tongue thing, thanks heaps Ahautenites!

[SamG]

The etheral body dosn't have a voice box so swallowing when meditating is quite normal as if we are to speak during meditation we have to use the physical body

If it is causing a big problem though it can indicate a block at the throat chakra

[ViolaGirl]

Bah... ever since I got my braces off (almost over five years ago!) I've always had a bit of a drooling problem. It drives me nuts. Usually I'm fine but once in a while this spit just comes out of my mouth and it's too late for me to stop it... needless to say, quite embarrasing. Sort of like the liquid is just accumulating in my mouth. And I've had this paranoia with swallowing things for most of my life. I still can't swallow pills. I have a mental block, I know I can swallow the gosh darn thing, but another part of me is too afraid I'm gonna choke on it!
Well, my swallowing during meditation is sort of difficult, like it's taking a lot of energy. Partially because it's like my throat is sort of clogged up, maybe? I got bronchitus a few years ago and ever since then there's a permanent lump thing in my throat, I swear! Like a mucus lump I can feel that won't go away. Maybe that's why my swallowing is so forced. But either way, I really want to figure out SOMETHING to help it from distracting my meditation, at least!

[Fiamma]

Bah... ever since I got my braces off (almost over five years ago!) I've always had a bit of a drooling problem. It drives me nuts. Usually I'm fine but once in a while this spit just comes out of my mouth and it's too late for me to stop it... needless to say, quite embarrasing. Sort of like the liquid is just accumulating in my mouth. And I've had this paranoia with swallowing things for most of my life. I still can't swallow pills. I have a mental block, I know I can swallow the gosh darn thing, but another part of me is too afraid I'm gonna choke on it!
Well, my swallowing during meditation is sort of difficult, like it's taking a lot of energy. Partially because it's like my throat is sort of clogged up, maybe? I got bronchitus a few years ago and ever since then there's a permanent lump thing in my throat, I swear! Like a mucus lump I can feel that won't go away. Maybe that's why my swallowing is so forced. But either way, I really want to figure out SOMETHING to help it from distracting my meditation, at least!


have you talked to a doctor? if there's somethign causing physical difficulty, perhpas there is a medical reason?

[Merrilyn]

have you talked to a doctor? if there's somethign causing physical difficulty, perhpas there is a medical reason?

I agree. An enlarged thyroid can cause some of these symptoms. Maybe it would be best to get a check-up, eh?
Best Wishes. :wave:

[Kalika]

Hey, so this probably sounds rather silly, but it is a consistent problem I have been having. I seem to have trouble NOT swallowing while meditating. What I mean is, I have to swallow, and the energy it takes is taking me out of that relaxed state required for meditation. I tried just NOT swallowing instead, but what happens is that water builds up in my mouth and continues to accumulate until I HAVE to swallow. This has been a big problem for me and a big obstacle for improving my meditation skills, but I'm not sure what to do. Has anyone had any similar problems? Any suggestions?

Try not to think about it. The more you think about it, the harder it is to do (or not do).

Just allow yourself to relax, and as long as swallowing is a natural function, rather than a conscious one... it shouldn't interfere with your meditation.

[Kalika]

Bah... ever since I got my braces off (almost over five years ago!) I've always had a bit of a drooling problem. It drives me nuts. Usually I'm fine but once in a while this spit just comes out of my mouth and it's too late for me to stop it... needless to say, quite embarrasing. Sort of like the liquid is just accumulating in my mouth. And I've had this paranoia with swallowing things for most of my life. I still can't swallow pills. I have a mental block, I know I can swallow the gosh darn thing, but another part of me is too afraid I'm gonna choke on it!
Well, my swallowing during meditation is sort of difficult, like it's taking a lot of energy. Partially because it's like my throat is sort of clogged up, maybe? I got bronchitus a few years ago and ever since then there's a permanent lump thing in my throat, I swear! Like a mucus lump I can feel that won't go away. Maybe that's why my swallowing is so forced. But either way, I really want to figure out SOMETHING to help it from distracting my meditation, at least!

Hmm. Do you drink plenty of liquids during the day? Sometimes NOT doing so can increase saliva levels (make sense? Not really... but still.)

[lunita]

Maybe its because your trying hard to relax and so it makes the swallowing thing more apparent than it would if you were not trying to relax! I find if your trying to not to do something you tend to do it even more!

[ViolaGirl]

Okay, so I've been thinking about all of that. Maybe when I get back to America I'll try the doctor's. I KNOW what my biggest problem is, just when I start thinking about it. I've found when doing visualizations and thus focusing more on concentration, I sometimes forget about the swallowing and thus it doesn't bother me at ALL. Sometimes I do remember though. When meditating and trying to empty my mind, it just naturally just seems to come in order to bother me. So for now what I'm TRYING to do is say, fine, I am having a swallowing problem. I obviously can't make myself stop swallowing. So plan b: keep swallowing the same way but try to get used enough to it it doesn't distract me so much anymore. Don't ignore it, just accept it and try to deal with it. I don't know what else to do! XD But really, guys, thanks for the help!
Megan

[Morrigan_Wolfwind]

Hmm. I swallow occasionally when I'm meditating, but that's mostly because of my braces. I'm glad you're trying to improve on your swallowing problem, but it's never been a big deal for me because it only takes around a second for me to acknowledge it and then continue with my meditation.

[Vigdisdotter]

Any suggestions?

Don't think about it so much :)

And swallowing can be an active part of your mediation. I have one mediation where the act of swallowing facilitates the imagery involved.

[Vigdisdotter]

Has anyone had any similar problems? Any suggestions?

First of all, the "clogged" feeling is not unusual, I've seen it a lot nd experienced it myself more then a few times. It is often (but not always) caused by a blockage of the energy. This could be related to your Throat Chakra of just in general. The way you handle it is to calm down, breath and try to visualize getting the energy moving. Basically give yourself and energetic massage before you try to meditate.

Secondly, swallowing can be used as PART of the meditation. I have one such that uses swallowing to reinforce the imagery involved.

[SailleSeeker]

I have that problem, too; my dentist has told me a number of times that I'm just one of those people that produces a lot of spit (lovely... *sarcasticvoice*), and I know it can be really distracting to -have- to swallow in the middle of a meditative thought or image that isn't conducive to it. What has worked best for me is to try to be as relaxed as I possibly can while still being awake when I try to meditate; I also have a problem with holding tension in my forehead, and deep relaxation seems to help that, too.
What position do you meditate in? Sometimes lying down helps me not need to swallow as much, but then I tend to run the risk of falling asleep...
The chakra blockage idea might also be a good thing to check out if you have any experience or desire to do chakra work. That's been part of the problem with my forehead tension - sixth chakra problems - at least in my experience. It might be worth a look?
Hope you can get used to it or find ways around it - I know it can be really distracting and annoying.