Comment by hartator
10 hours ago
You doing so much studying of meditation and not knowing any of its documented downsides is worrisome.
Most actual white papers discourage the use of meditation. Risks of suicide, depersonalization, desocialisation, and loop thinkings are very real.
You are right that there are individuals who should not practice meditation. From what I've read, it's usually people with severe mental illness who are already predisposed to suicide, depersonalization, etc. It gets worse if you practice on your own without community. Having a teacher and fellow practitioners helps achieve balance, equanimity, and kindness to yourself and others.
I started meditation practice before I was diagnosed with a mood disorder. I was fortunate to have a teacher who is also a practicing psychologist. After diagnosis, meditation provided me with the strength to withstand the emotional storms that medication trials put me through.
My psychologist and a teacher taught me one of the basic techniques for dealing with complex reactions or feelings that might arise. The practice that worked was sitting with the feelings/emotions/thoughts. Let them hang out in your mind, and every time you engage, stop, disconnect from them, and then start again. Initially, the cycle lasts about three minutes. I learned how to recognize when it was too much, to take a break, and be kind to myself. With practice, those uncomfortable feelings and thoughts gradually fade to the point where they are no longer intrusive as often.
All that said, I don't want to minimize the issue of suicide. I've had brushes with it and survived. I had a brother who didn't. His death has left me with many feelings that don't respond to rational thought and analysis. All I can do is sit with them and not engage.