How Is Meditating Different from Dissociation, Meditation and dissociating are two concepts that can be confused since they both entail moving away from the perception of the surrounding space. Their two processes however differ significantly. Meditation is a form of art that is meant for enhancement of focus, relaxation as well as self-improvement. On the other hand, dissociation is predominantly a reaction that people develop as a result of prevailing stressful conditions or experiences. Therefore, it is very important to bear these aspects in mind if one is to be able to apply meditation appropriately and differentiate it with dissociation.
In this article, we shall look at the clear differences meditating and dissociation as well as the reason for their occurrence and how they each feel.
What is Meditation?
Meditation is simply a practice that aids you in concentrating with the intent of being in the current time. It engages the process of soothing the mind, concentrating on one’s breath and letting the thoughts come and go freely without any criticism. There are numerous benefits that come with practicing meditation that include relational stress management, enhanced concentration and health promotion.
- Aim: The aim of engaging in meditation is to encourage one to ground himself or herself and the existing moment. There is a need to expand consciousness and there is a quest for the silence within.
- Concentration: It is apparent that there is no other aspect of meditation like concentration, where a person is aware of everything that is occurring inside him or her and around that person.
What is Dissociation?
Dissociation is a mental state in the opposite sense where a person is somehow not in touch with reality. It may occur as a response to stress or anxiety or trauma. When one goes into a dissociative state, he or she may feel distanced from their thoughts or feelings, or surroundings for that matter. This could leave them with a sense of being not fully present in their body or mind for that matter.
- Definition: It is worth noting that dissociation, may it be a severe or mild form, is never willfully actuated. Most psychogenic reactions to unbearable levels of feelings or emotions result in this mechanism.
- Distancing: Memory, persons eases out of the characteristic eased awareness state and becomes memories of the environment or of the self.
Most Significant Consideration: Meditation Compared to Dissociation
Although both meditation and dissociation alter the focus of the mind, their subjects, purposes and results are irreconcilably distinct and we shall examine several important aspects.
1. Being Aware Versus Wanting to not be Present
- Meditation: It is worth noting that no meditation is possible without awareness of the purpose; this is its primary feature. You become aware of the thoughts, emotions, and the environment. The object of focus is to live in the present moment without losing one’s self in, and during, the practice.
- Dissociation: Dissociation is simply a form of disabling or getting out of reeling in current experiences. Many associations, to the point of dissociation, are dysfunctional in that they cut off the individual from the surroundings, their thoughts, or even feelings, as a means of coping with distress.
For instance: Fill in the blank. You will most likely notice the sensations of your breath, the presence of wind, or the contact of your body on a flat surface, while meditating. However, in dissociation, there’s a sense of floating away from the physical body or that the external reality does not even exist.
2. Deliberate Control Vs. Spontaneous Reaction
- Meditation: This is something that a person does purposely. One decides that they will meditate, and in such moments, one can focus and pay attention to chosen things. Such attention may slip away, but it can be brought back to the here and now, with ease.
- Dissociation: Dissociation is mostly a reflex and a spontaneous action that one has little or no control over. It occurs subconciously, especially in extreme and stressful situations.
Example: In order to meditate, one could pay attention to the rhythm of their breath, and if this attention drifts, such a person would be able to refocus on the breath again. In the case of dissociation, a person may ‘zone out’ by no active effort of their own and may find it difficult to ‘wake up’ again.
3. Relaxation and Numbness
- Meditation: It should be noted that the mind and body are composed during this practice. Even if you are concentrating on something, you may still experience a wave of calmness and relaxation encompassing your entire being.
- Dissociation: In turn, there are some feelings people cannot feel when prosecuted, numbness for instance. They do not feel calm, rather feel “nothing” inside them, as if they have been “turned off”.
Example: You may notice that after a period of meditative practice, you feel rejuvenated, your mind is clearer, and there is a great sense of self. In contrast, there is a possibility that after dissociation, you may feel a bit lost or out of touch with the world.
4. Effects in Short Term vs. Effects in Long Term
- Meditation: The effects of meditation strategies are beneficial and persistent over a long period. Over time, hearing the word, his meditation evolved, he learned how to manage anxiety disorders and depression, and he began to function better emotionally.
- Dissociation: Inasmuch as the aforementioned may be beneficial to the individual in the situation, it is also a potential hindrance to the user. From second planes of existence, one can hardly manage to come back in the first.
Example: For instance, someone who practices meditation on a daily basis may experience a decline in anxiety levels and an increase in concentration levels. Conversely, a person who tends to dissociate on a frequent basis may experience difficulty with memories, attention, or emotional engagement with others.
What Are the Reasons for Equating Meditation with Dissociation?
Dissociation can be perceived as similar to meditation, and this can be explained in the relation to cognitive shift. Nevertheless, the distinction in these constructs must be appreciated, so that the technique can, for example, be employed without any problems and dissociative experiences dealt with when they are troublesome.
- Too Much Busy Life: In this fast-paced world, there are people who would seek to practice meditation so as to calm nerves that may be under great stress. In this way however many may find themselves in a daze instead of seeking awareness.
- Being Distant: Certain forms of meditation can induce a level of Distant self-control, however this is very different from dissociation. In meditation, such a distance is done with awareness while in dissociation, such distance is with no enhances self-control.
How to Always be Sure You are Meditating and Not Dissociating
If you would like to prevent mistaking meditation for dissociation, here are several suggestions:
- Stay Grounded: Remember to pay attention to your breathing, the sensation of your body and the ambient sounds as you meditate so as to come back to the present moment.
- Check In with Yourself: After concluding a session of meditation, you should ask yourself whether you feel calm and centered or one that is out and far removed. If the latter is true, then you may be in danger of body detachment.
- Use Guided Meditations: If you do not know how to meditate, you can practice the present moment awareness by listening to a recording of an instructor guiding a meditation.
- Seek Support: If you notice that, in difficult situations, you have the tendency to detach from yourself, it may be helpful to consult a mental health expert. They will help you cope with dissociative tendencies and establish appropriate techniques of mindfulness.
Conclusion
Although in the eyes of many, meditation and dissociation may resemble each other, in reality, they are entirely different acts. While meditation is a practitioner’s alertness that affords relaxation, awareness, and self-connection, dissociation is detachment from the environment, most often than not, induced by stress or trauma.
With this knowledge, one refrains from what is referred to as mundane or mindless signing practices as there are no further associated benefits of such practices and hence learns to meditate which improves her/ his health aims and at all times helps keeping the individual in the here and now. There are numerous positive aspects that can be gained from meditation, in contrast, I associate it with fluff that dresses up wider issues far less pleasant, which may lie beneath.
Keep in mind; meditation is based on risks of understanding rather than running away. Be aware, do not wander away and appreciate what meditation has to offer.
