I had an interesting experience while meditating this morning.

While sitting in silence, observing the chaos of my mind and letting thoughts dissolve, I thought of my passport. I need to fly in a few days and couldn’t remember if I put it away after my last trip.

Anxiety engulfed me like a wave for a brief moment before I let the initial thought fade away. I knew that I could check for it a bit later after I was finished.

But then, a strange tingling rose beneath my skin. It was similar to when circulation returns to a foot that has fallen asleep, but more scattered and somewhat duller. Yet it evoked a sense of urgency as if my muscles were screaming to move, to get up and check for the missing passport.

While writing that last bit, it occurred to me that I still hadn’t looked for it. Without waiting, I got up and checked where I usually keep it, and — of course — it was there.

This time, there was no tingling. I reacted upon thinking about it, without hesitation.

I don’t know what the tingling was that I had felt this morning. Perhaps an evolutionary redundancy to move in case the mind overpowers — or is unable to act upon — the initial urge for action.

And while I can’t think of a time when I’ve consciously noticed it, I’m sure it’s happened many times. This time, however, the heightened state of awareness from meditation allowed me to feel it.