Independent news reporting and media coverage of meditation retreats, safety discussions, and related incidents for readers researching public information.
When Meditation Can Actually Be Dangerous
This article presents a first-person account of undertaking 10-day silent vipassana meditation retreats after a painful divorce. The author describes entering the first retreat in search of healing and emotional relief, despite a past history of substance misuse and depression. Although the practice initially brought increased energy and improved coping, it also led to heightened self-scrutiny, intrusive thoughts and, in the months following the retreat, recurring suicidal ideation.
The piece situates this experience within a broader discussion of research into adverse meditation effects. It references studies, including work from Brown University, indicating that some meditators report fear, anxiety, panic, paranoia and other distressing symptoms. While acknowledging limitations in the research, the article notes that negative experiences may be more common than is often publicly recognised. It also recounts the case of Megan Vogt, who died by suicide after attending a retreat, raising questions about screening and support procedures.
The article argues that intensive retreats are frequently run by volunteers rather than clinicians, and may not be adequately prepared to manage participants whose mental health deteriorates. At the same time, it includes perspectives from teachers and researchers who suggest that difficult emotional states can form part of a transformative process, and caution against framing meditators as having “done it wrong”.
Ultimately, the author challenges the popular portrayal of meditation as a universal remedy. She concludes that different practices may suit different individuals at different times, and emphasises the importance of flexibility, appropriate guidance and recognition that meditation-related distress can be real and, in some cases, severe.
The piece situates this experience within a broader discussion of research into adverse meditation effects. It references studies, including work from Brown University, indicating that some meditators report fear, anxiety, panic, paranoia and other distressing symptoms. While acknowledging limitations in the research, the article notes that negative experiences may be more common than is often publicly recognised. It also recounts the case of Megan Vogt, who died by suicide after attending a retreat, raising questions about screening and support procedures.
The article argues that intensive retreats are frequently run by volunteers rather than clinicians, and may not be adequately prepared to manage participants whose mental health deteriorates. At the same time, it includes perspectives from teachers and researchers who suggest that difficult emotional states can form part of a transformative process, and caution against framing meditators as having “done it wrong”.
Ultimately, the author challenges the popular portrayal of meditation as a universal remedy. She concludes that different practices may suit different individuals at different times, and emphasises the importance of flexibility, appropriate guidance and recognition that meditation-related distress can be real and, in some cases, severe.