Personal Experiences After Vipassana Retreats

A podcast series recounting a personal experience of attending a 10-day Vipassana retreat, followed by the onset of a manic psychotic episode and subsequent depression.

After years of dedicated Vipassana practice, the author takes “gardening leave” from meditation to confront its shadow side, including harmful community dynamics and underreported adverse effects.
Drawing on insights from Willoughby Britton and Cheetah House, they recommit to a more balanced, self-directed practice grounded in informed consent and compassion.

A personal account of how Vipassana meditation unexpectedly triggered the onset of bipolar disorder, marking the beginning of a life-altering journey.

A raw and unflinching account of bipolar disorder following a Vipassana meditation retreat. Describing the heartbreak and survival, as one man navigates love, mental illness, and a journey through hospitals and self-discovery.

A personal reflection on a demanding 10-day Vipassana meditation retreat, exploring silence, psychological struggle, moments of clarity, and the author’s mixed feelings about the experience.

A critical review of the Goenka 10-day Vipassana retreat, exploring the benefits of intensive meditation alongside concerns about its structure, teachings and potential psychological impact.

A brutally honest account of surviving a 10-day silent Vipassana meditation retreat. Grueling, mind-bending, and oddly enlightening.

A personal account of undertaking multiple silent retreats, culminating in a 60-day Burmese monastery retreat that led to intense physical movements, hallucinations, paranoia and lasting psychological distress. The author reflects on the lack of adequate support, the long recovery process, and the need for greater awareness of adverse meditation effects.

A personal reflection on the risks of intensive meditation and “dry” mindfulness practice, describing experiences of depersonalisation, derealisation, anxiety, depression and bodily dysregulation. The author explores how rigid adherence to philosophical doctrines can exacerbate dissociation and highlights the need for compassion and embodied self-awareness.

An honest account of the personal challenges faced during a Vipassana meditation retreat. This article delves into the mental and emotional struggles, shedding light on the less talked about side of meditation practices.

A striking first‑hand account of attending an intensive Buddhist meditation retreat that didn’t go as planned, revealing how the experience profoundly affected the author — culminating in a dramatic exit and deeper reflection on the intensity of prolonged meditation.

In this candid conversation, Tim Ferriss shares a harrowing experience from a silent meditation retreat that spiraled into intense emotional turmoil. Joined by Willoughby Britton, they explore the unexpected challenges of deep meditation, trauma, and the importance of proper support.