Question:
During my breathwork session, I entered a sleep-like state and don’t remember breathing or anything that happened in that time. I’m really curious to get your input on this and to hear more about whether I entered a deep meditative state, feel asleep, or dissociated out of fear of facing suppressed material (which you spoke to in the sharing circle). What did you see from your perspective?
Answer:
Hey Carol, it’s impossible to tell as an outsider what is going on and I can’t say for sure either way. You may have fallen asleep, entered a yogic trance, or dissociated. Some self-inquiry would be the best way to get your answers. Below I’ll outline some signs of each, to help you with the inquiry process.
Signs of Falling Asleep in a Breathwork Session:
Have you been experiencing a lot of stress lately, not getting enough sleep, or feeling excessively tired? If yes to any of those, you may have just fallen asleep because your body was desperate for rest. If you felt groggy when you came through and found it hard to get back into the breathing pattern – those are further signs of having fallen asleep. Worth noting, if you continually experience this ‘sleep state’ in breathwork, it may be a sign of dissociation.
Signs of Dissociation in a Breathwork Session:
Have you experienced any traumas that were so overwhelming at the time that you had to dissociate in order to cope (either acute or long term – from say a tough childhood or abusive relationship)? A way to answer this question would be to inquire if you have ever felt numb to the situation or like you aren’t in your body…or if you’ve noticed any repeated patterns of escapism or not feeling all of your emotions. If yes, you may have dissociated in the breathwork as an unconscious protection mechanism (your ego sensed a big emotion or memory was about to arise so it cut you off).
Dissociation from trauma refers to a psychological defense mechanism that some individuals may experience as a response to severe or overwhelming trauma. Dissociation is a way for the mind to cope with traumatic experiences by disconnecting from the immediate awareness of those experiences. It involves a temporary and often involuntary detachment from one’s thoughts, feelings, identity, or sense of reality.
Dissociation can manifest in various ways and may include:
- Depersonalization: This involves feeling detached from one’s body, as if observing oneself from the outside. Individuals may describe feeling like they are in a dream or that their body is not their own.
- Derealization: Derealization is a sense of detachment from the external world. People experiencing derealization might perceive their surroundings as unreal, distorted, or foggy.
- Amnesia: Trauma-related dissociation can lead to memory gaps or amnesia, where individuals cannot recall certain aspects of the traumatic event or even parts of their own life.
- Identity confusion: Individuals may experience a disruption in their sense of self or identity. They might feel like they have multiple personalities or struggle to maintain a consistent self-concept.
- Time distortion: Dissociation can also distort one’s perception of time, leading to a feeling that time is passing too quickly or too slowly.
Signs of Entering a Yogic Trance in a Breathwork Session:
It is also possible that you entered a yogic trance. A yogic trance is a state of heightened awareness and inner stillness where the practitioner becomes fully absorbed in the present moment, transcending ordinary thoughts and distractions. It typically involves a profound sensation of calm, peace, and a sense of unity with the cosmos. In this state, the practitioner can become unaware of their physical surroundings, develop a strong bond with their inner selves, and feel at one with all other living things. If after the session you felt deeply relaxed and more calm and open, you likely experienced a yogic trance.
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