Avoiding Sudden Fright During Meditation

Question: When I am meditating or walking while contemplating the Dharma, if I suddenly hear a loud noise or some disturbance from outside, why do I feel so uncomfortable—experiencing panic, accelerated heartbeat, and sometimes even breaking out in goosebumps, as if I am particularly frightened?

Answer: If the mind is extremely calm and focused during meditation, free from external distractions, a sudden loud noise for which one is mentally unprepared can cause a startle. Therefore, one should choose a time and place free from disturbances for meditation to avoid being startled, as being startled can easily cause problems. This is a direct shock to the manas (the mind root). Since the manas controls the rūpakāya (physical body), the physical body will exhibit abnormal reactions. If the reaction is excessively abnormal, the physical body may develop issues, leading to mental disturbances as well. If only the manovijñāna (consciousness) is startled, it is not a serious matter, because the consciousness cannot control the physical body. Being startled only at the level of consciousness indicates shallow concentration (samādhi) or the absence of concentration.