<p>The experience you describe is not a common experience but meditators do get very uncommon experiences due to sudden outburst of past Karma / Snakhara. When you have stopped creating new Karma though Vipassana sometimes deeply hidden karma suddenly pops up to give results. (Many times cited by <a href="https://www.dhamma.org/en/about/goenka" rel="nofollow">S.N.Goenka</a> in his lectures.)</p>

<p>Also if would be an idea to also see a doctor and perhaps a serious meditator too to rule out any medical condition just be on the safe side.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-26T15:33:33.977Z
2016-02-24T16:06:38.110Z
2016-02-24T16:06:38.110Z
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
<p>Lately when sitting, my head will abruptly turn at weird angles very suddenly. I'm not always able to catch it to stop it before it happens; sometimes the movements are really bizarre ( my head moving straight back, leaving me looking at the ceiling if my eyes were open). </p>

<p>Is this a common/known occurrence in meditation, or do I need to see a doctor? </p>

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2015-12-26T05:50:12.357Z
I don't know why I was reminded of "The Exorcist". Are you trying to observe actions and slow down with mindfulness?
esh
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-26T11:04:20.613Z
It may just be a lack of minduflness on my part; its almost like catching a sneeze before it happens and stopping it
Ryan
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-27T03:40:03.963Z
You might consider looking into the possibility of a balance disorder, esp. if you have any other related symptoms (vision is a secondary input to balance). At least asking a doctor would be a good idea.
user3169
<personal-practice><vipassana><meditation-effects>
Why is my head going all Poltergeist on me
# Why is my head going all Poltergeist on me

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-12-26)

Lately when sitting, my head will abruptly turn at weird angles very suddenly. I'm not always able to catch it to stop it before it happens; sometimes the movements are really bizarre ( my head moving straight back, leaving me looking at the ceiling if my eyes were open).

Is this a common/known occurrence in meditation, or do I need to see a doctor?

**Tags:** personal-practice, vipassana, meditation-effects

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I don't know why I was reminded of "The Exorcist". Are you trying to observe actions and slow down with mindfulness?  
> **username_0**: It may just be a lack of minduflness on my part; its almost like catching a sneeze before it happens and stopping it  
> **username_2**: You might consider looking into the possibility of a balance disorder, esp. if you have any other related symptoms (vision is a secondary input to balance). At least asking a doctor would be a good idea.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2015-12-26. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

The experience you describe is not a common experience but meditators do get very uncommon experiences due to sudden outburst of past Karma / Snakhara. When you have stopped creating new Karma though Vipassana sometimes deeply hidden karma suddenly pops up to give results. (Many times cited by [S.N.Goenka](https://www.dhamma.org/en/about/goenka) in his lectures.)

Also if would be an idea to also see a doctor and perhaps a serious meditator too to rule out any medical condition just be on the safe side.


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