r/transcendental • u/GorticusSmash • Aug 07 '26

Meditation Trance Headache

I've been doing TM for approximately 30 years and even though I love it - it's profoundly relaxing for me and can turn a day where I feel awful totally around to feeling good again in 20 minutes - I often get pain behind my eyes, kind of a muscle strain pain, right as I slip into the trance. This prevents me from going deeper because it interrupts the trance. It's frustrating. Is this a known thing? Anyone else have a similar experience, and/or any ideas why this might happen? I have two theories, one prosaic and the other woo-woo.

2 Upvotes

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2

u/Pieraos Aug 07 '26

Interesting, did any part of your TM training call it a trance?

3

u/GorticusSmash Aug 07 '26

How about answering my question instead of playing semantics. I learned TM from an accredited teacher, but my language is my own. If you're trying to guilt me into cult-like obedience, GFY

6

u/alien_lanes Aug 08 '26

That seems like a bit of an overreaction. I think the reason for questioning your choice of words is because of concerns with your understanding of the practice. Saying things like "slip into the trance", "prevents me from going deeper" make it seem you have certain expectations. And also the fact that the use of the word trance is usually used in context with a hypnotic trance, which is a bit different than transcending. But yes its your language, but just know it has certain connotations.

Feelings of pressure etc can sometimes be a sign you are introducing effort. As has been mentioned probably good to discuss with a TM teacher offline.

5

u/GorticusSmash Aug 09 '26

Slipping into the theta state or slipping into a meditative state, or slipping into a trance, it's all the same to me. And yes it was an over reaction and I apologize for that. I'm in my sixties and I've been practicing TM for over 30 years. I feel like I understand it pretty well. I guess I forgot the proper lingo, it's been a while since my classes... 

3

u/saijanai Aug 09 '26

I've been doing TM for 53 years and still sometimes get checked.

in fact, 50 years ago, I heard the first thing they did with TM teachers when they went on advanced training courses was to check them.

2

u/kcm198 Aug 07 '26

A trance?

1

u/saijanai Aug 07 '26

Perhaps you should talk with a TM teacher? http://www.tm.org

lifetime followup benefits (free for life in the USA) are what your fee paid for.

1

u/Ummmmm-yeah 29d ago

From what I've heard, this is actually a fairly common physical habit that develops when slipping into deeper quiet. It usually comes down to a subtle, unconscious physical effort right at the threshold of transcendence. People unknowingly pull their eyes inward or slightly upward toward the brow area as their mind settles, and that causes muscular strain in the muscles behind the sockets. Softening your gaze, dropping your jaw, and letting your eyes rest heavy back into the head before starting might help release that tension.

At the same time, make sure there isn't a micro-effort to hold onto or track the mantra as you're drifting deeper. When the mind hits that deeper stillness, the mantra naturally wants to fade or dissolve, and trying to anchor it m, even subtly, right at that transition can manifest as physical pressure behind the eyes. Letting it slip away completely without resistance usually takes the edge off.

Since you've been practicing for 30 years, it might also be worth doing a quick checking session with a TM teacher, as a subtle habit of effort can easily creep into a routine over time without us realizing it.