Detachment

I remember reading somewere that during meditation some Buddhist monks feel detached from there body or feel body distortion, is this true
I have AIWS and it would be interesting to know if anyone has had these sensations while meditating. Very little is known about this syndrome and its quite rare so it would be good to be able to chat to someone who has experience of it.

[Samana]

Hi alhambra,

Detachment in meditation, just means noticing passing thoughts and emotions but not clinging on to them and just letting them go again.

With kind wishes,

Samana

Yes Samana I understand that but I read some time ago that some Monks feel detachrd from there body and suffer body distortion, its very different from your explaination While meditating myself I can let thoughts just pass by but this is not the same. Thank you anyway.

from my experience, distorted perceptions are a reflection of mental distortion. as one lets go of preconceptions of what is, that which is becomes manifest through perception to different degrees. the shift between the states can be an sort of "chapel perilous," in the words of Robert Anton Wilson.

there are different types of meditation, but personally i prefer a combination of anapana and vipassana. rather than focusing on watching the thoughts pass by, begin with the sensation of respiration as a means of sensitizing and focusing the awareness of the mind to develop samadhi. feeling the diffrent sensations in a smaller and smaller area below the nostrils and above the upper lip and maintaining uninterrupted awareness of the sensation of breath for 3-5 minutes. every time you notice the mind has wandered from the breath into day dream, just gently bring it back to the breath without frustration. relax into it. any fear of bodily proportions are merely distractions from focusing on the object of meditation. it's a complex form of self-sabotage that the ego is using to prevent you from concentrating the mind and breaking the bondage of habitual patterns of mind.

hope this helps. metta!

Sorry nowhereman, I dont think anyone can understsnd what i,m trying to explain. Mybe I should remove the post, I seem to be confusing people lol.

[Heart]

This is nothing personal.

Maybe you could help us understand how you see Alice In Wonderland Syndrome in comparison to the Buddhist understanding of detachment

If AIWS is rare then maybe very few people will respond with the answers you may be looking for, maybe you could inform us of your experience of this condition and how you feel about it

Don't despair if your quest for understanding is not understood, All responses are very important as you have given another member a chance too respond,

that response is highly spiritual and your questions helps others to grow as does the answers you receive from them

I have no idea what AIWS is as an experience other than what I have had to Google

[running]

What is body distortion?

Running, for instance, you could feel as if your hand is extra large or small, as if parts of your body ( could be any part ) do not belong to you. Visual distortion also happens sometimes, time and touch is all mixed up. I could go on and onnnnnnnn. Its strange and not very nice.

Well I often feel as if I'm spinning or running. I also get the feeling of emerging out of the top of my head and expanding.........Not sure if this is what you mean. I've never hand the big hands thing though.

[running]

Originally Posted by alhambra

Running, for instance, you could feel as if your hand is extra large or small, as if parts of your body ( could be any part ) do not belong to you. Visual distortion also happens sometimes, time and touch is all mixed up. I could go on and onnnnnnnn. Its strange and not very nice.

You mean your feeling your energy body?