In the Ocean of Being: When Silence Comes Alive

Many people begin meditating to find inner peace. But those who go deeper into the practice soon realize that meditation can do much more than simply relax the mind. Turning inward often brings hidden emotions, old patterns, and deep processes to the surface. And not rarely, we find ourselves lost in thoughts or disconnected/dissociating rather than truly being in contact.

Distraction from the Self

Many of us learned early on to avoid uncomfortable feelings and the contact with our true self. We have developed various adaptive strategies to cope with overwhelm, pain, fear, helplessness, and more. Different psychological models offer explanations for this development: Freud spoke of defense mechanisms like repression or rationalization; Wilhelm Reich of muscular armoring; NARM of survival strategies; the Enneagram describes type-specific self-avoidance patterns; and trauma-informed approaches often name dissociation or fragmentation as protective responses.

These strategies form unconscious patterns that disconnect us from our emotional life and our bodily sense of self. They lead to inner tension and stand in the way when we sit in meditation and long for deeper experiences such as peace and inner stillness. At the same time, our outer world is often filled with distractions that reinforce this inner disconnection — overstimulation, overworking, and constant input from digital media.

The Observer – Friend or Escape?

Many meditation practices cultivate what is called the observer position — watching thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations from a distance, without identifying with them. This can be very helpful, especially when our inner experience feels overwhelming or chaotic.

But there is a subtle risk: if this observer becomes a refuge, it may create distance instead of bringing us into contact with the aliveness of our experience.

To me, the difference lies in this: the distant observer “knows about” what is happening — but awareness is with what is happening. True stillness arises in surrender — where we no longer try to control or analyze, but allow ourselves to be touched.

I love the image of the ocean and the wave: the ocean represents awareness, and the waves — thoughts, emotions, and body sensations — arise and move within it as part of our self.

This is why inner work and building capacity for authentic experiencing are close to my heart. For me, it’s both: true awareness can arise from silence, and yet this awareness also includes a grounded capacity to feel. And it’s important to say: not every feeling needs to be forced through — especially not without the capacity to hold it or without support.

Some emotions stem from very early experiences of powerlessness or aloneness. Facing these states too fast or alone can be re-traumatizing rather than healing. It’s not about “training” yourself to feel them — it’s about gradually reconnecting with self-agency and meeting these experiences from a grounded adult awareness.

Meditation as a Doorway to Inner Process

Often, instead of immediate peace, we are first confronted with inner turmoil when turning inward. Many people experience moments in meditation when tension or old emotions surface. True inner stillness can only emerge when we allow these unprocessed feelings to rise and energy to move freely in the body.

This requires a certain attitude of letting things unfold — and the ability to feel. These qualities often need practice — and sometimes therapeutic support.

Meditation can touch old wounds, activate emotional memories, or awaken deep longing for wholeness. Especially spiritual processes tend to intensify this — they expand our awareness and also bring long-buried issues to light.

So one might ask: why meditate at all, if it can be this intense? In my experience, what arises is also an invitation: more aliveness can emerge, and a sense of freedom — when we no longer have to unconsciously follow our old patterns.

The Body – A Key Element

One often overlooked aspect of meditation is the body itself. Emotional blocks often manifest as physical tension — and a tense body can block the natural flow of emotions and life force. In Eastern traditions, we often hear about the flow of life energy, or Prana. When we work with the body — through somatic therapy, breathwork, and emotional processing — we create the foundation for this energy to move again. Without this somatic integration, meditation can remain a mental exercise and bypass the depth of embodied experience.

Truly Being in Contact

The biggest challenge in meditation is often to stay present — with whatever arises. We tend to get lost in thought or distance ourselves from uncomfortable emotions. But true presence means feeling the body and giving space to the emotional landscape.

Some people experience something very different in meditation: the mind just won’t settle. Instead of stillness, there’s pressure or frustration — a sense of failure because “nothing works” or “thoughts don’t stop.”

I believe these are also valuable moments. Maybe it’s not about becoming still — but about becoming curious: What is moving me so much? What keeps me from feeling? What is distracting me? We don’t always find the answers right away — but here, loving guidance can help us explore this inner space without judgment and with gentleness.

Navigating Intense Experiences – The Role of Therapeutic Support

Some inner experiences can be deeply challenging — strong emotions, energetic movements, or overwhelming states. It’s essential to allow these without being overtaken or pushing them away. This requires an inner container — a grounded space where everything can arise while we stay rooted in ourselves.

Some people may meditate for decades and experience great inner peace — and yet, early attachment wounds remain untouched if they’re not consciously addressed and integrated. Spiritual practice without psychological grounding can unintentionally become a form of escape — instead of fostering true relational capacity and inner connection.

Early wounds often require a different kind of approach — one that includes relationship, mirroring, and emotional integration.For many, therapeutic support is essential to truly digest these experiences and integrate deeper layers of the psyche.

Meditation is a powerful tool for transformation — but it needs a solid foundation of body awareness and emotional integration.Without this, we risk using meditation as a way to bypass rather than to meet ourselves.

If you notice that your meditation brings up strong inner processes and you feel called to work through them, I’d be honored to support you on this journey.

This article and everything I share about my own experience and work is not a healing promise. Many inner and outer factors influence a personal process. May this article offer inspiration and gentle encouragement for your own path.