Analysis and commentary from meditators, teachers, and researchers for readers exploring multiple viewpoints about intensive meditation training.
The Darker Side of Meditation: Please Meditate Responsibly
This article recounts the harrowing experience of Megan Vogt, a 25-year-old who developed severe psychosis following a 10-day S.N. Goenka Vipassana retreat. Although Megan had no history of depression or psychosis and was cleared by her doctor to attend, the intensity of the retreat, long hours of meditation, silence, restricted activity, and minimal support, triggered extreme mental and emotional instability. Immediately after the retreat, Megan displayed severe depersonalisation, failing to recognise her parents, and attempted self-harm, ultimately being admitted to a psychiatric ward.
The author situates Megan’s experience within the broader context of intensive Buddhist meditation, explaining that practices like Vipassana are designed to expose the meditator to the full reality of their mind, including delusions, afflictions, and vulnerabilities. While this process can lead to profound insight and personal growth, it is inherently demanding and can provoke extreme psychological reactions in individuals who are unprepared or insufficiently supported. The article emphasises that intensive meditation is not a simple wellness tool, and even those with prior meditation experience can encounter destabilising experiences.
Critically, the article examines the institutional response of the retreat centre, noting a lack of trauma-informed care, minimal follow-up, and reliance on unqualified volunteers. The author warns against allowing inexperienced participants to take on facilitation roles, describing the potential risks of inadequate guidance. Drawing on Buddhist principles, the author stresses the importance of the Middle Way, cautioning against pushing participants too far or too fast, and advocating for stopping or pausing practice if mental or physical stability is compromised.
The article concludes with practical recommendations for safeguarding meditators, including clear warnings about risks, graduated practice for newcomers, trauma-sensitive teacher training, and structured support both during and after retreats. The central message is that while intensive meditation can be transformative, it carries real risks, and responsible practice requires preparation, guidance, and compassion to prevent serious psychological harm.
The author situates Megan’s experience within the broader context of intensive Buddhist meditation, explaining that practices like Vipassana are designed to expose the meditator to the full reality of their mind, including delusions, afflictions, and vulnerabilities. While this process can lead to profound insight and personal growth, it is inherently demanding and can provoke extreme psychological reactions in individuals who are unprepared or insufficiently supported. The article emphasises that intensive meditation is not a simple wellness tool, and even those with prior meditation experience can encounter destabilising experiences.
Critically, the article examines the institutional response of the retreat centre, noting a lack of trauma-informed care, minimal follow-up, and reliance on unqualified volunteers. The author warns against allowing inexperienced participants to take on facilitation roles, describing the potential risks of inadequate guidance. Drawing on Buddhist principles, the author stresses the importance of the Middle Way, cautioning against pushing participants too far or too fast, and advocating for stopping or pausing practice if mental or physical stability is compromised.
The article concludes with practical recommendations for safeguarding meditators, including clear warnings about risks, graduated practice for newcomers, trauma-sensitive teacher training, and structured support both during and after retreats. The central message is that while intensive meditation can be transformative, it carries real risks, and responsible practice requires preparation, guidance, and compassion to prevent serious psychological harm.