7 Reasons Why You Can't Meditate (and what to do about it) Part 4: "I Can't Keep Still,

Some years ago, there was a study of new-born infants at a hospital nursery. They were measuring the movements of babies. After a period of study, it was determined that there were no random movements; that babies fidget because of neurological impulses. Basically, energy flowing through the body.

The body is a remarkable storage vessel for energy. When your energy is moving clearly and effortlessly through the body, it’s what we call being “at ease”. When the natural flow of energy is impeded by foreign energy, it’s what we term “at dis-ease”. All dis-ease is a condition of resisting foreign energy in the body. When the flow of energy is blocked, we experience pain. Our friends at the Marine Corp say that “pain is weakness exiting the body”. I agree with this. When we begin any form of exercising regimen, the muscles become sore. Sometimes, it’s a comforting level of soreness. It might be uncomfortable, but we know we’re getting stronger.

The same thing happens with meditation. As we sit (or lay) comfortably, we can experience tension is certain areas of the body. This is where the body is holding onto energy. Sometimes, if we experience a twitching, or a spasm of sorts, or find we just can’t sit still, that’s energy trying to work itself out of your space! That energy has found a home in you. It’s been with you for so long that you might’ve considered it a part of “who you are”. You might have been carrying it around with you for a very long time, or have an automatic response to be responsible for it. Either way, the twitching, itching, discomfort or pain is something that is not you. Relax, be aware of it and give it permission to leave. In this, you will develop patience.

Once upon a time, I was working under my car and it fell off the jacks and landed on me, breaking my collar bone. My brother was with me and, with an adrenaline rush, he lifted the car off me. I was surprised that the broken bone didn’t hurt, although I heard it crack. As I rolled off my side and onto my back, the muscles along my spine spasmed. That hurt incredibly! We went to the hospital where they gave me a brace for the collar bone and meds for the back pain. After a few weeks of being in pain, I was sitting in a comfortable position on the couch. I decided that I’d been in enough pain and relaxed my back. I imagined the pain draining off my back, down my spine and out my body. In a matter of moments, the excruciating pain in my back was gone! I’d healed myself.

It wasn’t until a few years later, after I’d been meditating for a while, that I realized the broken collar bone was my “accident” (it happened for a reason; it was just one event in a long line of synchronicity that changed the course of my life. (I “needed a break” to make some changes) and, therefore, wasn’t painful, but the back spasm wasn’t “me” and therefore, hurt. I’m sure you’ve had the experience of stubbing a toe, bruising yourself or having an experience when something “should’ve” hurt, but didn’t? The same thing happened.

So, if you find yourself fidgeting as you attempt being still, relax and be patient with yourself. Be aware of the fidget and give it permission to leave. It might not happen instantaneously, but it will move out.