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The Dark Side of Dharma: Meditation, Madness and Other Maladies on the Contemplative Path
A dive into the less-known and undesirable side-effects of meditation and mindfulness.
Researcher Anna Lutkajtis investigates why these negative ramifications of meditation and mindfulness, which are well-known in spiritual and religious traditions, have been ignored in contemporary secular contexts, such as Western psychology.
Lutkajtis' research reveals that while meditation is commonly portrayed as a practice that is overwhelmingly positive, a growing number of research studies and anecdotal reports suggest that meditation can also have negative effects.
Some meditators believe that these adverse effects are a normal part of the contemplative path and a welcome sign of progress.
For others, such effects are completely unexpected and can be psychologically harmful.In religious traditions like Buddhism, difficulties associated with meditation are acknowledged and are usually viewed as milestones on the path to enlightenment or the result of an unbalanced practice.
In such traditional contexts, meditation teachers are equipped to deal with adverse effects if and when they arise. However, in the modern West, meditation adverse effects have been overlooked, under-researched, and generally misunderstood.
Given the current popularity of meditation, Lutkajtis argues that it is important to understand why meditation adverse effects have been ignored in contemporary secular settings.
Researcher Anna Lutkajtis investigates why these negative ramifications of meditation and mindfulness, which are well-known in spiritual and religious traditions, have been ignored in contemporary secular contexts, such as Western psychology.
Lutkajtis' research reveals that while meditation is commonly portrayed as a practice that is overwhelmingly positive, a growing number of research studies and anecdotal reports suggest that meditation can also have negative effects.
Some meditators believe that these adverse effects are a normal part of the contemplative path and a welcome sign of progress.
For others, such effects are completely unexpected and can be psychologically harmful.In religious traditions like Buddhism, difficulties associated with meditation are acknowledged and are usually viewed as milestones on the path to enlightenment or the result of an unbalanced practice.
In such traditional contexts, meditation teachers are equipped to deal with adverse effects if and when they arise. However, in the modern West, meditation adverse effects have been overlooked, under-researched, and generally misunderstood.
Given the current popularity of meditation, Lutkajtis argues that it is important to understand why meditation adverse effects have been ignored in contemporary secular settings.
- GenresBuddhismMeditation
218 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 24, 2021
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84 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 20, 2021
An important book for an important topic that just is not discussed enough in the Buddhist world, or the occult world, or the Christian world, or just the religious/spiritual world in general. It’s a topic that people do not know what to do with and that inherently causes discomfort.
I hope that this book will open the floodgates and this conversation will become much more widespread. It’s sorely needed. There is danger on the path, but we can avert that danger when we know what to expect and what to call it.
With the rise of the Q conspiracy theory and others like it, this is a discussion that needs to be had in evangelical Christian circles ASAP. Amongst several other critical conversations.
5 stars.
I hope that this book will open the floodgates and this conversation will become much more widespread. It’s sorely needed. There is danger on the path, but we can avert that danger when we know what to expect and what to call it.
With the rise of the Q conspiracy theory and others like it, this is a discussion that needs to be had in evangelical Christian circles ASAP. Amongst several other critical conversations.
5 stars.
April 27, 2021
An important read for New Agers. Jung warned about Westerners picking up Eastern religious practices. He was right. Consider one of the main things I picked up: meditation in the East is about losing oneself, psychotherapy in the West is about find oneself. Now how are we all going to make that work?
December 4, 2021
very good book! however i now have to change my argument as this source has it all and proved indispensable
June 9, 2025
Anyone who has even a passing interest in meditation should read this book. Think of it as the ‘full disclosure’ you would hope to get from a meditation teacher or course (but which, sadly, often isn’t offered.)
For what it’s worth, I’m an advocate of meditation. I found that once I wandered far enough down the path, there was no turning back. But I don’t think any meditation practices are appropriate for everyone, all of the time. And dose, set, and setting are important.
For what it’s worth, I’m an advocate of meditation. I found that once I wandered far enough down the path, there was no turning back. But I don’t think any meditation practices are appropriate for everyone, all of the time. And dose, set, and setting are important.
August 7, 2024
De acuerdo.
Love.
Love.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews