Sati1 wrote:-drooling is no longer a problem when the head stops dropping and one prevents saliva from accumulating in the mind.
Dropping head, drooling and swallowing reflex in meditation
Re: Dropping head, drooling and swallowing reflex in meditat
You're most welcome. There's a typo in the red part, right?
Re: Dropping head, drooling and swallowing reflex in meditat
lol! certainly we hope that that never happens 
Sati1
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"I do not perceive even one other thing, o monks, that when developed and cultivated entails such great happiness as the mind" (AN 1.30, transl. Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi)
"So this spiritual life, monks, does not have gain, honor, and renown for its benefit, or the attainment of moral discipline for its benefit, or the attainment of concentration for its benefit, or knowledge and vision for its benefit. But it is this unshakable liberation of mind that is the goal of this spiritual life, its heartwood, and its end," (MN 29, transl. Ven Bhikkhu Bodhi)
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"I do not perceive even one other thing, o monks, that when developed and cultivated entails such great happiness as the mind" (AN 1.30, transl. Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi)
"So this spiritual life, monks, does not have gain, honor, and renown for its benefit, or the attainment of moral discipline for its benefit, or the attainment of concentration for its benefit, or knowledge and vision for its benefit. But it is this unshakable liberation of mind that is the goal of this spiritual life, its heartwood, and its end," (MN 29, transl. Ven Bhikkhu Bodhi)
Re: Dropping head, drooling and swallowing reflex in meditat
Resting the tip of the tongue on the roof of the mouth, somewhere near the juncture of the hard & soft palate, is a good way to prevent saliva accumulation.
- "And how is it, bhikkhus, that by protecting oneself one protects others? By the pursuit, development, and cultivation of the four establishments of mindfulness. It is in such a way that by protecting oneself one protects others.
"And how is it, bhikkhus, that by protecting others one protects oneself? By patience, harmlessness, goodwill, and sympathy. It is in such a way that by protecting others one protects oneself.
- Sedaka Sutta [SN 47.19]
Re: Dropping head, drooling and swallowing reflex in meditat
Thanks, daverupa, I will try that if saliva continues to be a problem.
Sati1
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"I do not perceive even one other thing, o monks, that when developed and cultivated entails such great happiness as the mind" (AN 1.30, transl. Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi)
"So this spiritual life, monks, does not have gain, honor, and renown for its benefit, or the attainment of moral discipline for its benefit, or the attainment of concentration for its benefit, or knowledge and vision for its benefit. But it is this unshakable liberation of mind that is the goal of this spiritual life, its heartwood, and its end," (MN 29, transl. Ven Bhikkhu Bodhi)
----
"I do not perceive even one other thing, o monks, that when developed and cultivated entails such great happiness as the mind" (AN 1.30, transl. Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi)
"So this spiritual life, monks, does not have gain, honor, and renown for its benefit, or the attainment of moral discipline for its benefit, or the attainment of concentration for its benefit, or knowledge and vision for its benefit. But it is this unshakable liberation of mind that is the goal of this spiritual life, its heartwood, and its end," (MN 29, transl. Ven Bhikkhu Bodhi)
Re: Dropping head, drooling and swallowing reflex in meditation
It’s a sign of deep meditation. My teacher calls it pre-Zen stage where the breathing is very short and distant apart but you’ve not achieved stage of breathlessness. The tongue I believe would also be very still, touching the top part of your mouth, your palate. The teeth may also be grinding tight and the body is completely still despite it being numb. These are signs that the Mind is settling down to its base. It’s a good phase to start to contemplate your mind and body, your defilements. “See” the veins and flesh and contemplate - “who is watching”, “who is I”. Try to keep your mind on your breadth as it’s the bridge between the mind and body. Over time you should “see” the distinction between body and mind and you’d be in a calm phase of emptiness, which is also an interesting phase for further contemplationSati1 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 07, 2014 7:53 pm Hello,
Recently, three strange and distracting things started to happen as I go deeper into meditation: my head slowly drops forward, I start to drool (slobber), and, as saliva builds up in the mouth, a strong urge to swallow arises. All three events are irrelevant at the beginning, but become somewhat of a distraction when they intensify: I lift my head back to straight posture in order not to hurt my neck, I feel the dripping of saliva on my shirt, and I swallow. Throughout the process I am well concentrated and fully aware of what is happening.
Has anybody had similar experiences, and do you have suggestions on what to do about this?
Many thanks for your help,