Hi there!

I am practising NSR for a year now, this is the first time i post here...

You see, at first I was really happy with this technique, then gradually I didn't experience the transcending process as much as I did before, and lately it seems I haven't been there at all.
There are just too many thoughts that prevent me from doing the actual technique; and these are not the same thoughts related to stress release (believe you me, I know the difference). I also can tell by the lacking of its positive effects, right after and during the day.

A friend of mine who also started a year ago, has exactly the same problem, she phoned me today to tell me about it. She told me it doesnt feel good anymore to practise it. Can you believe this? A year ago I would never have thought of this happening.

Now, it's not my intention at all to talk or think negatively about it. And I am very much aware of the importance of my contribution (a relaxed attitude) to make the technique succesfull for myself. But I can't stop wandering if there's maybe anything missing in the course what prevents people to loose the contact with the transcending process.

Hopefully David or someone else can explain and help, I guess me and my friend are not the only ones having difficulties with the NSR technique.

Thanks in advance,

Roy

Roy,

I'm sorry to hear that you are having problems. Let me respond to your issues, and let's see if we can turn this around.

"You see, at first I was really happy with this technique, then gradually I didn't experience the transcending process as much as I did before, and lately it seems I haven't been there at all."

Transcending can be experienced in various ways, depending on the nature of the stresses being released. As long as you are following the instructions given in the manual and CD, you are meditating correctly. I will have some modifications to your technique to suggest later in this message to slow down the rate of stress release to make it more comfortable for you. There is no need to suffer on the path to freedom from stress!

"There are just too many thoughts that prevent me from doing the actual technique; and these are not the same thoughts related to stress release (believe you me, I know the difference)."

This is very interesting. How is it possible to know that you are having thoughts that are not related to stress release, when ALL thoughts during meditation are due to stress release? Here is how it works...

When the mind follows the effortless procedure of transcending, the body gains deep rest due to the intimate connection between mind and body. This deep rest allows the nervous system to repair itself by dissolving stress. Since you have been meditating for a year, the rest has become very efficient, and the stresses start releasing right away. Whenever stress dissolves, since this is an activity in the body there is a corresponding activity in the mind: thoughts. This is why all thoughts during transcending are from stress release. Even if another type of thought could arise, it would not last due to the nature of the transcending process.

"I also can tell by the lacking of its positive effects, right after and during the day."

You should be having positive effects. Without further information, it is difficult to say what the problem is. Perhaps stress release is continuing after each session, overshadowing the benefits. Try taking a full five minutes to sit quietly after each session, or even lie down. Make sure there is plenty of time to come out of meditation comfortably and completely. After a few days, if these modifications do not make a dramatic difference, reduce your meditation time by five minutes. This will slow the process of stress release, so you can get more subjective enjoyment from your meditation.

"A friend of mine who also started a year ago, has exactly the same problem, she phoned me today to tell me about it. She told me it doesn't feel good anymore to practise it. Can you believe this? A year ago I would never have thought of this happening."

We can help her, too. But she has to contact us. NSR is a do-it-yourself program, dependent on clients sending us their questions. At our prices, we cannot afford teachers and centers everywhere to provide an organized support program.

"Now, it's not my intention at all to talk or think negatively about it."

This is very important. Negativity has its own power and tends to grow when we pay too much attention to it. Positivity is the natural quality found at the source of thought. That is where we put our attention.

"And I am very much aware of the importance of my contribution (a relaxed attitude) to make the technique succesfull for myself. But I can't stop wandering if there's maybe anything missing in the course what prevents people to loose the contact with the transcending process."

Nothing is missing. However, support is a necessary component, because anything can arise as a result of stress release, even negativity. Each client must have their questions answered.

Another important point is that after a year or two of regular practice, it is valuable to get an advanced technique. While we haven't yet announced this program formally, you may use the Contact Us page at www.NaturalStressReliefUSA.org to find out more. Advanced techniques slow the "dive within" phase of transcending and are appropriate and helpful after one has been practicing NSR regularly for one to two years.

"Hopefully David or someone else can explain and help, I guess me and my friend are not the only ones having difficulties with the NSR technique."

Most difficulties are very easy to fix, with proper consultation. In your case, try taking more time to come out of meditation, and get your advanced technique. These changes should fix the problems.

David Spector
Natural Stress Relief/USA

I think there are two issues here with Roy's posting -- the experience during meditation, and the experience in daily living. David has addressed the former, and I'd like to add some of my own comments in response to Roy.

From my own involvement with TM since 1975 I've found that Roy's experience is not unique to NSR. Many TM meditators too, including TM teachers where I live, have indicated that they have had a similar experience. The TM organization has a series of advanced techniques for meditators who have been using the technique regularly for quite a while. These techniques are described as adding a second locomotive to the train.

However, having said that, I wonder whether part of the 'concern' in regard to daily living is not so much that the process isn't as effective as it used to be, but rather that we are now functioning at a higher level of phsycho-physiological efficiency than before, and that the contrast between 'before' and 'after' meditation is now no longer so noticeable. This can, of course, lead one to feel that the process is no longer 'working', whereas it is continuing to culture the system to become more 'normal' every day. I think the most important aspect related to this experience is not to stop meditating but to keep going with the twice-daily NSR routine.

Regarding the process itself, I agree with David about stress release. Meditation is really for its effects in daily activity, irrespective of how it is experienced during the sessions itself.


Gavin, Cape Town
Long-term meditator (but not a teacher of TM or NSR)

Thanks David and Gavin for your responds!