Accounts of Shivabalayogi’s teaching and the experiences of his devotees suggest that meditation in this tradition can involve a range of challenges, both obvious and subtle. Physically, extended sitting often brings discomfort, leg numbness, and back pain, especially when one attempts to remain still for the full period of practice. Maintaining a stable posture for long durations can itself feel like a form of tapas, and some practitioners also report involuntary movements or kriyas arising in deeper states. These bodily difficulties are not necessarily signs of failure, but they do test resolve and capacity for endurance.

On the mental level, the mind’s resistance to stillness is a central obstacle. Persistent thoughts, restlessness, and boredom can dominate the early stages, and there may be impatience with what appears to be slow or negligible progress. Doubts about the effectiveness of the practice, or about one’s own aptitude, can arise during “dry” periods when nothing special seems to be happening. At the same time, there can be a contrary tendency: attachment to spiritual experiences, or a strong desire for visions and dramatic phenomena, which can become another form of distraction and dissatisfaction.

Emotional and spiritual processes present further challenges. As meditation deepens, purification can bring suppressed emotions, fears, or memories to the surface, leaving the practitioner feeling temporarily more disturbed rather than peaceful. Some report fear or unease when encountering deeper states of consciousness, or a kind of ego-resistance as familiar self-images are questioned. Increased sensitivity to people and environments may also make ordinary interactions feel more intense or taxing, requiring careful integration of inner work with outer life.

Practical and relational issues round out the picture. Establishing a consistent daily practice, especially of the length Shivabalayogi recommended, can be difficult amidst family and work responsibilities. His emphasis on a simple, disciplined approach, often centered on silent meditation and devotion to the guru, can challenge those who struggle with the idea of surrender or who feel tempted to modify the method or combine it with other practices. Maintaining regularity without the physical presence of the guru, and translating an austere example into the context of household life, can generate further tension. Across all these areas, the tradition repeatedly points to patience, perseverance, and steady discipline as the means by which such obstacles are gradually transformed.