Independent news reporting and media coverage of meditation retreats, safety discussions, and related incidents for readers researching public information.
Lost in Thought
This article tells the story of Megan, who experiences a severe psychotic breakdown after attending a meditation retreat, and her family's search for answers.
Jordan, Megan's sister, reaches out to Cheetah House, a support group founded by clinical psychologist Dr. Willoughby Britton, which helps those suffering from meditation-induced mental health crises. Britton's research, which challenges the conventional view of meditation as always beneficial, highlights the potential harmful effects of intensive meditation practices, even on individuals with no prior mental health issues.
As Megan's mental state deteriorates, her family struggles to understand whether her psychosis was triggered by the retreat or was inevitable due to underlying issues. The story also delves into Britton's research, which documents a range of negative psychological outcomes from meditation, and explores how mainstream meditation practices have overlooked these risks. Ultimately, the piece questions the safety and risks of meditation, advocating for more transparency and better safeguards for practitioners.