07-24-2020, 01:44 PM
I don't think meditation is for everyone, but if you are a seeker on a spiritual path it is definitely a useful tool.
Most of the dangers listed seem to be related to the bringing to the surface of past traumas or an emotional reaction to loss of control (loosening of the ego's grip). These are things that must be faced at some point if you are serious about spiritual growth, but at the same time many people aren't ready to face those things right now and that's fine. We have many lifetimes to figure this stuff out. I think it's most important to develop some balance in your personality and a firm grounding in reality before getting too deep into this stuff.
I've had plenty of experiences in meditation that have brought up some really nasty things, but through the contemplation and integration of those aspects of myself I have been able to grow so I am thankful for them. I can see how if someone is already slightly off balance they could be thrown for a loop by this sort of thing, but I think that this danger is overstated in articles like this. Also I think the whole Christian idea that meditation will open you up to demonic possession is mostly bullcrap, but is also insidious in that it plants a seed of fear that actually could be exploited by nasty parasitic entities if it takes root.
The fact that there's a billion dollar industry around meditation doesn't raise red flags for me in regards to the practice itself, it's just the nature of the beast. People in our society are desperate for ways to connect to a sense of purpose or to deal with the stress, etc. and others are always ready to prey upon or capitalize upon that kind of desperation. Meditation has been around long before money and will be around long after. The fact that there can be such a big industry around the practice of sitting down and monitoring your thoughts is funny if anything.
I notice a lot of the anecdotal stories about the danger of meditation involve week long retreats, and I think that makes sense. Living most of your life at the frantic pace of modern life and then forcing yourself to slow down dramatically for a whole week is like switching from fifth gear to first gear. There's a danger you might burn out your engine. Just take things slow and go at your own pace in my opinion.
Anyways, that's my 2 cents.
Most of the dangers listed seem to be related to the bringing to the surface of past traumas or an emotional reaction to loss of control (loosening of the ego's grip). These are things that must be faced at some point if you are serious about spiritual growth, but at the same time many people aren't ready to face those things right now and that's fine. We have many lifetimes to figure this stuff out. I think it's most important to develop some balance in your personality and a firm grounding in reality before getting too deep into this stuff.
I've had plenty of experiences in meditation that have brought up some really nasty things, but through the contemplation and integration of those aspects of myself I have been able to grow so I am thankful for them. I can see how if someone is already slightly off balance they could be thrown for a loop by this sort of thing, but I think that this danger is overstated in articles like this. Also I think the whole Christian idea that meditation will open you up to demonic possession is mostly bullcrap, but is also insidious in that it plants a seed of fear that actually could be exploited by nasty parasitic entities if it takes root.
The fact that there's a billion dollar industry around meditation doesn't raise red flags for me in regards to the practice itself, it's just the nature of the beast. People in our society are desperate for ways to connect to a sense of purpose or to deal with the stress, etc. and others are always ready to prey upon or capitalize upon that kind of desperation. Meditation has been around long before money and will be around long after. The fact that there can be such a big industry around the practice of sitting down and monitoring your thoughts is funny if anything.
I notice a lot of the anecdotal stories about the danger of meditation involve week long retreats, and I think that makes sense. Living most of your life at the frantic pace of modern life and then forcing yourself to slow down dramatically for a whole week is like switching from fifth gear to first gear. There's a danger you might burn out your engine. Just take things slow and go at your own pace in my opinion.
Anyways, that's my 2 cents.
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