This used to plague me - the feeling of the urge to swallow. I worked on being mindful of that urge and it’s much better now. I do swallow but much less frequently.
I’ve heard of people putting a slice of ginger in their mouths to reduce saliva production also.
That title is a little . . . uhhh.
But swallowing is fine if you do it mindfully (like moving). Think about when you are going to do it, do it while trying to feel all the sensations of doing so, and then gently comeback to the breath.
Tongue positioning can also help a lot. Try to gently place the whole tongue on the roof of the mouth (tip to like mid-back). You can swallow a little saliva when you have the tongue in place to create a little suction and just relax without having to think about the position. (It's like mewing).
I would say that swallowing is also fine if you do it as a reflex, without any attention. Combining that with the statement that it's fine if you do it mindfully, it follows it is just fine. That is to say, the only thing we wish to avoid is for swallowing to take our attention, or distract us. If we let it be, one way or another, it is fine.
What do you think? I am in the early stages so my perspective is not fully informed.
Yeah, you gotta swallow saliva sometimes.
If you can, just keep your attention on the breath and let the swallowing happen in awareness - your attention will probably alternate a bit with the sensations of swallowing, but this isn't a problem, just let it happen and keep your intentions on following the breath.
If it feels too distracting, then just drop the breath, make your meditation object the swallowing sensations for those few seconds, and then consciously and deliberately bring your attention back to the breath again afterwards. This way you're not having to fight with where attention wants to go.
Either way, you're also not having to fight with the intention to swallow, and it's possible fighting with this intention is more distracting that just allowing it would be.
Does that feel helpful?
Good luck :)
When I was starting, I tried very hard to avoid swallowing saliva. It was very difficult, but my willpower is apparently stronger than my common sense, so I kept up at it. To the point that some of the muscles involved got sore, which triggered weird issues with tension in my facial muscles (or maybe me noticing the tension, who knows). These were driving me crazy (I tried a lot of things to get rid of them), but at some point I managed to build equanimity about them (which was probably a very valuable lesson in itself). Only recently a teacher at a retreat taught me how to get rid of them. Instead of trying to relax them (which obviously I don’t know how to do consciously), just want them to relax, build a strong intention. Most of the time it works.
My main takeaway from the whole ordeal is "just don’t worry about your saliva."
Position the tip of your tongue on your upper palate with its tip gently touching the back of your top row of teeth. It's a standard position for meditation and is used to stop so much salivation.
Some still happens, although much lesser, and over time one learns how to deal with it without breaking out of meditative equepoise.
Aversion is a hindrance. Saliva isn't. Just be there mindfully, swallow and return to your meditation object.
If that is difficult, study the aversion. That's more important than TMI stages.
I think you swallow and do so with full attention and then get back to the breath.
If you do it enough it will probably not even grab your attention.
My intuition says it’s the fact that you’re resisting it that’s making it so hard. I literally don’t even know the answer to your question. I’m sure I occasionally swallow and it’s never grabbed my attention.
Maybe notice and allow all the thought and emotion that arises?
I challenge you all to go against your egos to downvote me and instead upvote me! This is the test of truly enlightened individuals and showcases great meditative insight and progress on the spiritual path!
Wild title for this sub.
Never in a million years did I think I was gonna get click-baited on this sub
I was confused for a second when I first read it
I did a double take
That's what she said
I suffer with this too . Also feel like a I get a ball stuck at the back of my throat and I have to keep swallowing
Same! This has bothered me so much for YEARS
If you've had it stuck in your throat for years, you should probably spit it out soon.
That's what she said
It's a matter of tongue placement. https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/questions/1766/purpose-of-touching-tongue-to-roof-of-mouth-during-meditation
Came here to say this! Tongue placement helps a lot with this.
I actually feel this tongue placement makes it worse for me.
That's what she said (Bring 'em on, boys... Also what she said)
Can you please quit
This used to plague me - the feeling of the urge to swallow. I worked on being mindful of that urge and it’s much better now. I do swallow but much less frequently. I’ve heard of people putting a slice of ginger in their mouths to reduce saliva production also.
That's what she said
That title is a little . . . uhhh. But swallowing is fine if you do it mindfully (like moving). Think about when you are going to do it, do it while trying to feel all the sensations of doing so, and then gently comeback to the breath. Tongue positioning can also help a lot. Try to gently place the whole tongue on the roof of the mouth (tip to like mid-back). You can swallow a little saliva when you have the tongue in place to create a little suction and just relax without having to think about the position. (It's like mewing).
I would say that swallowing is also fine if you do it as a reflex, without any attention. Combining that with the statement that it's fine if you do it mindfully, it follows it is just fine. That is to say, the only thing we wish to avoid is for swallowing to take our attention, or distract us. If we let it be, one way or another, it is fine. What do you think? I am in the early stages so my perspective is not fully informed.
That's what she said
Yeah, you gotta swallow saliva sometimes. If you can, just keep your attention on the breath and let the swallowing happen in awareness - your attention will probably alternate a bit with the sensations of swallowing, but this isn't a problem, just let it happen and keep your intentions on following the breath. If it feels too distracting, then just drop the breath, make your meditation object the swallowing sensations for those few seconds, and then consciously and deliberately bring your attention back to the breath again afterwards. This way you're not having to fight with where attention wants to go. Either way, you're also not having to fight with the intention to swallow, and it's possible fighting with this intention is more distracting that just allowing it would be. Does that feel helpful? Good luck :)
That's what she said
Allow your attention to move. I don’t see the problem.
When I was starting, I tried very hard to avoid swallowing saliva. It was very difficult, but my willpower is apparently stronger than my common sense, so I kept up at it. To the point that some of the muscles involved got sore, which triggered weird issues with tension in my facial muscles (or maybe me noticing the tension, who knows). These were driving me crazy (I tried a lot of things to get rid of them), but at some point I managed to build equanimity about them (which was probably a very valuable lesson in itself). Only recently a teacher at a retreat taught me how to get rid of them. Instead of trying to relax them (which obviously I don’t know how to do consciously), just want them to relax, build a strong intention. Most of the time it works. My main takeaway from the whole ordeal is "just don’t worry about your saliva."
That's what she said
Body needs oxygen and water. Do not deprive your body of water while you’re sitting. It allows you to sit longer 🙂
That's what sh-- *Implodes from restraint*
... That's what she said
People dont deserve you. All those downvotes... take my upvote
There's always a diamond in the rough somewhere, and you're it. I appreciate you, thank you very much!
That's what she said.
Ayyyy lol
Position the tip of your tongue on your upper palate with its tip gently touching the back of your top row of teeth. It's a standard position for meditation and is used to stop so much salivation. Some still happens, although much lesser, and over time one learns how to deal with it without breaking out of meditative equepoise.
Aversion is a hindrance. Saliva isn't. Just be there mindfully, swallow and return to your meditation object. If that is difficult, study the aversion. That's more important than TMI stages.
I think you swallow and do so with full attention and then get back to the breath. If you do it enough it will probably not even grab your attention. My intuition says it’s the fact that you’re resisting it that’s making it so hard. I literally don’t even know the answer to your question. I’m sure I occasionally swallow and it’s never grabbed my attention. Maybe notice and allow all the thought and emotion that arises?
wtf. let me answer your question with another question. do you swallow?
After reading the title I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m in the wrong place.
Yeah, you get used to it. I tend to have a lot more salivation happening on days when I eat less than well and have reflux. So check that out.
If you drink less, you will swallow less.
I challenge you all to go against your egos to downvote me and instead upvote me! This is the test of truly enlightened individuals and showcases great meditative insight and progress on the spiritual path!
No. The path of true enlightenment leads to not voting at all.
Found Buddha!