Meditation Trauma: Is It Real?

Have you heard of meditation trauma? Is it really a thing? In this short talk, I address some of the common symptoms associated with meditation trauma and look at reasons that these symptoms might arise. I also suggest three types of people who shouldn't necessarily plunge headlong into meditation.

Finally, I offer some practice tips so that you aren't caught off-guard by any unresolved or unrecognized psychological issues.

Transcript

Meditation trauma. Is it real? I listened to a fascinating interview on meditation trauma with Willoughby Britton, A neuroscientist who's done research into the negative effects of meditation. Apparently, She's received a great deal of backlash for her findings. While I don't agree with everything she says, And certainly not with the way she says it, I do think the pure science of her work is not only helpful but important, Especially as a meditation teacher. To dismiss it would be incredibly negligent. This controversy reminds me of a few years ago when in the yoga world, A lot of the talk was about the injuries that yogis were experiencing from their practice. Suddenly, Headlines in the field were warning of the physical dangers of yoga poses and the hip replacements that were necessary. Now we go from the physical to the mental realm to discover that meditation can also be, Quote, Dangerous. Maybe it's us. Here's a thought. Maybe it isn't the yoga or the meditation. Maybe it's us and the way that we adopt practices. Unfortunately, We live in an era in which yoga and meditation, Originally spiritual practices, Are adopted by secular fields, Such as sports in the case of yoga, Or psychology or personal development as a panacea for stress in the case of meditation. But meditation is not a treatment. It is a humble spiritual practice. Just as if people enter a yoga practice unaware of a structural configuration that would otherwise bar them from certain poses, If people enter meditation with unresolved trauma, And we all have unresolved psychological issues, Those issues will remain unsolved for both students and gurus alike. The problem really isn't the practice. It's these unresolved psychological issues of the practitioner. Being human is risky, Psychologically speaking, So there are risks to any activity a person may engage in, Even meditation. So let's take a look at some of the common symptoms that a meditation practice can bring to the surface in the form of a healing crisis. Paranoia. Meditation can also create new challenges, Such as a kundalini awakening, Hallucinations, And even psychosis. But I don't really want to go into these types of issues that can arise out of a spiritual practice, Because most people will never encounter them. They certainly aren't the types of meditation students that I attract. So what do the symptoms tell us? Such symptoms are a sign that something is not being addressed. Either we're ignoring some underlying issue, Which could include addiction of some sort, Or we're trying too hard, Or doing too much thinking than is good for us, Or we're not expressing the truth of our practice with someone who can reflect back to us. There's no point as teachers to downplay these symptoms. They can and do arise. But there's also no point in either fearing them or avoiding meditation as practitioners because of them. We just have to be aware of them, And aware of ourselves, And when our practice might be bringing out some new psychological toxin. Then we can address the reality of our situation by pausing practice, Seeking support, And doing the necessary inner work, Even if this means we let go of our practice for a time. So who shouldn't meditate? Let's take a look at that question. One might expect my answer as a meditation teacher to be that everyone should meditate. You may be surprised, As even I was, To hear my answer. Who shouldn't meditate? So if a person has unrecognized or unresolved trauma, It might be best for that person to get support for that before adopting a meditation practice. Or at least meditating under the guidance of someone who can also support the psychological stuff. Reason being that meditation can drudge up things we haven't dealt with, Including traumatic memories. A person who cherishes a sense of victimhood, And doesn't want to take responsibility for their life, Or isn't willing to look inside, Stop blaming others, And stop repressing feelings, Projecting or denying the shadow, Should definitely avoid meditation. They will only at best turn meditation into a practice that reinforces their ego, Rather than one that breaks down and frees them of their belief system. And finally, Anyone who struggles with both accepting paradox and recognizing hypocrisy, And who likes being right more than seeking and understanding an indescribable truth, Should avoid meditation at all costs, Lest they think themselves gurus and start teaching others. That said, I really do think everyone should meditate. Whether we want it or not, We all need it, Or some form of self-inquiry. So how should we practice? The best and the safest way to approach meditation is to have no preconception or expectations from it. I think a contributing factor to meditation trauma is how it breaks up our belief system. So the looser we can hold what we think we know before we even start meditating, The better. Forget about all the tales of reward, Too. Assume that there are none. There's no goal to reach. There's no breakthrough just around the corner. Meditation isn't an act. It's a being. So why do we bother? It probably wouldn't surprise you that my belief is that the practice absolutely must come not from a motivation of self-improvement or self-help, But from the sole wish of opening up to spirit, Whatever form of higher power works for each individual. Without that, We're either just relaxing, And there's nothing wrong with that, Or trying too hard, Which is often fed from a lack of self-acceptance. There also has to be a level of self-compassion and self-awareness. No guru can really teach you to meditate because you have to be able to discover what works for you. You have to discover your own truths about it and trust in those truths. You have to communicate your experience when working with a teacher, Abdicating your reality to a guru who him or herself might have some unresolved trauma or a blind spot, Is only going to bring confusion and second-guessing. In the end, The greatest advice ever given is to know thyself. And isn't that really what meditation is all about? If you enjoyed this content, Please do follow my profile here on Insight Timer. If I can be of help in your discovery or deepening your practice, Feel free to reach out to me. Thank you for listening.

Reviews

Very informative. You explainations are so clear and gentle. Thank you for sharing this.