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Experts flag difficult experiences during meditation practice
Hindustan Times··12 Sept
A Hindustan Times report cites psychologist Willoughby Britton's research on distress during meditation, highlighted in The Atlantic by Olga Khazan. Britton turned to meditation after PTSD symptoms and later felt dissociation after an hour-long session during a Brown University clinical residency. Some meditation teachers framed discomfort as spiritual progress, according to the article's reporting Friday.
Prism
What It Means For You
- People starting intensive meditation retreats may pause practice if they feel persistent dissociation.
- Therapists can screen trauma history before recommending long silent sessions.
- Workplace wellness programs might add check-ins when rolling out mindfulness training.
What's Happening
- Khazan writes that research still links meditation with anxiety and stress benefits for many.
- Britton questioned treating every unusual meditation experience as enlightenment.
- The piece notes meditation needs no special equipment and can be done briefly.
Mindfulness research
- Dissociation can involve feeling disconnected from surroundings or self.
- Britton completed clinical residency at Brown University.
- The Atlantic article by Olga Khazan frames the debate for general readers.
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