Have you ever suddenly choked or coughed on your own saliva for no apparent reason? This odd occurrence can feel disconcerting, especially when it happens frequently. But what does it mean on a spiritual level when this happens?
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Choking on saliva for no reason can signify blocked energy and communication issues that need to be addressed. It’s generally a call from your body to examine what might be stuck in your throat chakra.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the potential spiritual reasons behind choking on spit randomly. By understanding the message behind this biological reflex, you can take steps toward clearing any energetic or emotional blockages.
The Physical and Energetic Throat Chakra Connection
The Role of the Throat Chakra in Communication
The throat chakra, or Vishuddha, is the energy center located at the throat and neck. As per ancient Hindu traditions, it acts as a bridge between the lower chakras (associated with materiality) and the upper chakras (associated with spirituality).
On a physical level, the throat chakra governs communication, self-expression, and speaking one’s truth. When it’s balanced and open, you can express yourself clearly and honestly. However, blockages can manifest as sore throats, laryngitis, neck pain, and difficulty speaking up.
On a mental-emotional level, throat chakra imbalances may stem from suppressed emotions and inhibitions about voicing thoughts and feelings. Signs can include excessiveintroversion or aggression when communicating.
Thus, choking sensations often carry psycho-spiritual undertones. The intense discomfort highlights energetic “lumps” that make self-expression painful. Paying attention and releasing suppressed words can bring energetic relief.
How Suppressed Emotions Manifest Physically
In Chinese medicine and Ayurveda, the throat area and neck relate to the meridians and nadis that circulate vital energy throughout the body. When we unconsciously “swallow” emotions like anger, shame, grief – the energy flow becomes obstructed, manifesting as physical symptoms.
For example, gritting teeth often leads to face/jaw pain and neck tension from energetic armoring. Or, as tears are held back, the chest and throat can reflexively tighten, causing coughs or choking sensations. Underlying this response is the cultural message: “I can’t speak my truth or cry openly.”
Louise Hay, author of Heal Your Body, links the possible emotional causes for throat and neck issues as too much held in, stuck self-expression, fear of speaking up or authority, and unwillingness to change. Releasing these root causes can alleviate associated corporeal distress.
Ultimately, listening inward helps unravel why, energetically and karmically, certain emotions become stuck in the throat. Here, they manifest as physical spasms and constriction when the soul seeks expression. With compassion and patience, we can invite our choked words forward into the light.
Interpreting the Spiritual Meaning
Difficulty Speaking Your Truth
Choking on saliva can symbolize a difficulty in expressing your true thoughts and feelings. Just as spit gets stuck in your throat preventing clear speech, you may feel blocked from voicing your authentic truth (perhaps out of fear or self-doubt).
This disturbing sensation grabs your attention, urging you to nurture self-acceptance. As spiritual teacher Brene Brown says, “Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we’ll ever do. “
Swallowing Feelings vs Spewing Venom
Saliva aids digestion, so choking may relate to problems assimilating emotions or life experiences. Are you swallowing anger or disappointment instead of healthily processing it? Conversely, spewing hurtful words in rage harms relationships.
Discern mindfully when to gently swallow discomfort or speak constructively to resolve issues.
As the Tiny Buddha blog notes, Authenticity with compassion has more impact than aggressive venting
. Choking prompts us to elevate discourse with wisdom and care.
Karmic Lessons Around Authentic Expression
Some spiritual traditions believe choking links karmically to past lives. If you formerly used speech harmfully, choking symbolizes the need to learn proper expression. Alternatively, past life throat trauma may resurface for healing now.
In either view, aligning speech with truth and operating from love assists spiritual growth.
Interestingly, one study on prior life memories found 32% of respondents reported dying by choking or suffocation. The sensation sporadically reemerging in this life reminds us to evolve communication and relationships positively.
Ways to Clear a Blocked Throat Chakra
Therapies to Release Stuck Energy
When energy is blocked or stuck in the throat chakra, also known as the fifth chakra, several therapies can help release it. Common options include sound healing, breathing exercises, aromatherapy, crystal healing, and energy healing techniques like Reiki or healing touch.
Sound healing uses instruments like tuning forks or Tibetan singing bowls to produce vibrations that resonate through the body and bring harmony to blocked chakras. The tones can “unstick” stagnant energies in the throat and stimulate healthy flow.
Many sound healers recommend starting sessions by focusing on the root chakra and moving progressively up the body to the throat.
Controlled breathing exercises also stimulate and balance the throat chakra, as breath is closely linked to communication and self-expression. Alternate nostril breathing, humming bee breath, and lion’s breath are three excellent practices to open the fifth chakra.
Communication Exercises to Practice
As communication issues often accompany a blocked throat chakra, purposefully practicing communication can help clear stagnant energies. Useful exercises include:
- Journaling to explore feelings and gain clarity
- Speaking affirmations aloud to promote self-confidence
- Singing or chanting to awaken creative expression
- Having in-depth conversations with trusted friends
- Practicing public speaking to overcome communication fears
Setting the intention to honestly convey your truth without self-judgment or criticism is key. Be patient with yourself and recognize that authentic communication takes practice.
Affirmations for Loving Expression
Words hold power, so repeating positive throat chakra affirmations can reprogram beliefs that may be blocking expression. Great affirmations to use daily include:
- “I communicate my truth with clarity and compassion.”
- “I have the courage and confidence to speak my mind.”
- “My self-expression is a gift that inspires others.”
- “I manifest my needs and desires using positive language.”
You can write these affirmations down, repeat them silently or aloud, record them in your own voice for playback, or turn them into songs. The more intention and emotional engagement you bring to the words, the more impactful the reprogramming effects will be.
With regular practice over time, stuck energies in the throat will transform into free-flowing, heart-centered expression.
When to Seek Medical Care
Choking on saliva is generally not a cause for concern in healthy individuals. However, if it becomes frequent or is accompanied by other symptoms, it’s wise to consult a doctor.
Seek Emergency Care for:
- Difficulty breathing or turning blue in the face
- Loss of consciousness
- Inability to cough forcefully
These can indicate the airway is blocked and require immediate emergency medical treatment. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away if choking leads to one of these dangerous symptoms.
See Your Doctor Promptly for:
- Frequent choking episodes (more than a couple times per week)
- Pain or difficulty swallowing
- Hoarse voice
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fever or other signs of infection
While not always emergencies, these symptoms in combination with choking on saliva warrant medical evaluation. Make an appointment with your primary care doctor or an otolaryngologist (ENT specialist) for diagnosis and treatment guidance.
Populations at Higher Risk
Though occasional choking on saliva can happen to anyone, certain groups face increased choking frequency and risks:
- Older adults: Age-related conditions like stroke or Parkinson’s disease can impair swallowing ability.
- Infants under 1 year: Immature swallowing coordination puts them at high choking risk in general.
- People with medical conditions: Neurological disorders, muscle diseases, acid reflux, and more may underlie chronic choking.
For higher risk groups, doctors may recommend preventative measures, therapy to improve swallowing capability, or medical devices to protect the airway.
| Age Group | Choking Prevalence |
|---|---|
| Infants under 1 year | 5.9% have reported choking on saliva |
| Adults over 75 years | Up to 13% with swallowing disorders have frequent choking episodes |
As we age or develop medical problems, minor issues like choking on our own saliva serve as red flags for more significant underlying health issues. Seeking prompt medical attention leads to better outcomes through access to preventative steps and treatment options.
Remember, occasional choking on saliva generally doesn’t indicate disease in healthy people. But if it becomes frequent or severe, consult a doctor right away, especially if you are in a higher risk group. Resources like the National Library of Medicine also provide useful choking first aid info.
Conclusion
Randomly choking on saliva is not simply a biological reflex – it can carry profound spiritual messages related to communication difficulties and blocked throat energy.
By listening to this warning sign from your body, you have an opportunity to clear stuck emotions, speak your truth, and realign your throat chakra. Releasing suppressed thoughts and feelings will improve self-expression and relationships on the road to wholeness.
