Is it a good or bad sign that meditation is sometimes a frightening and nervous activity?

Is it a good or bad sign that meditation is sometimes a frightening and nervous activity?

It can happen that one gets scared or nervous by just sitting there, one can't for example sit still. But is this a good or bad sign?

Venerable members of the Sangha,
walking in front Fellows in leading the holly life.

     

In Respect of the Triple Gems, Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, in Respect of the Elders of the community  , my person tries to answer this question. Please, may all knowledgeable Venerables and Dhammika, out of compassion, correct my person, if something is not correct and fill also graps, if something is missing.

Valued Upasaka, Upasika, Aramika(inis),
dear Readers and Visitors,

 


(This is a maybe modified and expanded answer of the "original" that can be found here .)

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Marijn and who ever might be interested,

assuming that the question was raised in seek for release:

First:

❋ Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā-sambuddhassa   ❋

Restlessness and Remorse (nervous or scared) is one of the five hindrences and ne needs - aside of it being perceived, become aware of it - by coming aware of it, knowing it as hindrence, be abounded.

The means and ways for that are found in a compiled work here, based on teachings by the Buddha, found in the canon: The Five Mental Hindrances and Their Conquest

The two mental faculties (indriya) , right concentration (samadhi) and right mindfullness (sati) are the means to abound it.

The cause of concentration is rature, the cause of rapture is freedom from remorse, or conviction.

How is the freedom from remorse developed: by acts of generosity, by keeping the precepts without spot.

And how is conviction developed? By reminding the Buddhas quality, the Dhammas quality, the Sanghas quality, by reminding ones generosity, by reminding ones virtue, by reminding, calling in mind, ones virtues equal those of the devas. (The six reflections )

So by taking/asking for refuge, by taking/asking for the precepts, by devotion and acts of it as preperation, the basement is developed.

See for this required proper prepairation: Respect, Confidence and Patient and probably Devotion , basicly requirement because without respect and gratitude (e.g. right view) no right object of joy, no joy no right concentration, no right concentration no release. So is it that right view is the forrunner for right release and by wrong view wrong releas comes into be.

And what is right view?

 
Q: But is this (scared or nervous) a good or bad sign?

Is just a Dhamma. Seeing Dhammas arise and decay. Knowing there qualities, holding on, increase developing benefical and giving no further attention, abound unbenefical, is the work not only to reach proper concentration, Jhana, but also to obsereve them (Dhammas) there in there arising and decay more refined and like they actually are.

It's a good sign, being aware of it, and for its abounding, it was a good sign, a blessing , to ask abot it:

 

Six things are conducive to the abandonment of restlessness and remorse:

• Knowledge of the Buddhist scriptures (Doctrine and Discipline);
• Asking questions about them;
• Familiarity with the Vinaya (the Code of Monastic Discipline, and for lay followers, with the principles of moral conduct);
• Association with those mature in age and experience, who possess dignity, restraint and calm;
• Noble friendship;
• Suitable conversation.

So now it's up to your right effort to make the best out of your previous and here rippened good sign.

Mudita