Hahahaha! Bad Press Of Meditation And Mindfulness

[SuperLuigi]

So meditation and mindfulness have some bad press now: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/jan/23/is-mindfulness-making-us-ill 

Looks like someone didn't go deep enough.

[Torkys]

Dude!

Even though they didn't go deep enough, this doesn't entitle you to judge (and even me to judge you because of your judgement ).

Other than that, they are just at a lower level of awareness and personal development. It seems like that they are the "success will make us happy and there is only time for happiness" bunch. They are not ready to face their mind.

thanks for sharing though! Good to know that people can experience these when they aren't ready.

Edited October 25, 2017 by Torkys

[EnlightenmentBlog]

I thought meditation and mindfulness were going to solve my problems. They do, in a way, whenever I practice them. But the moment I have to be me again, my shyness, people-pleasing tendencies and perfectionism come back. And the funny thing is, now I suffer even more than before because I'm more aware of them. People would say that's a good thing, now I can act differently whenever I spot my weaknesses. Well, not exactly. It makes it even more painful because I cannot find strength to change my behavior or even if I do, this comes at the price of tremendous effort. I can feel my whole body react against it, as if it's programmed to act the old way. I guess Leo was right when he said that a strong ego is more easily surrounded than a weak one. I guess I have to deal with my own shit before really continuing on this journey, just as the people in the article.

[zazed]

Mindfulness is a powerful technique that can have serious impact on one's mind.
It's like giving someone who is being robbed a loaded shotgun to help deter the robber. Perhaps your aim will be true, and the robber is dead, or you just destroyed your new flatscreen tv.

First, one should study self-discipline and cultivate it. Cultivate positive and constructive thinking. The mind is still a tool to be used.
In this way, Mindfulness requires knowledge of the Four Noble Truths, first and foremost. These truth's are the aim of the shotgun. When confronted with pain during the meditation, these truths help guide the way trough those pains. The eight-fold path shows the way.
These teachings are not dogma or religion, but they are psychology, and guidance.

 

Mindfulness can awaken past experiences or trauma. It can put into focus issues in day to day life, such as shyness, perfectionism, or all other kinds of stuff. Because surely, Mindfulness heightens perception and awareness. But if there is no understanding of the 4 truths, the mind does not know how to deal with it.

Offcourse, you can fully surrender, skip the mind entirely, and become enlightened.
Or perhaps you are already quite centered as a person, and such "big troubles", simply don't exist. Then mindfulness is unlikely to expose deeply rooted problems.
YMMV
 

[Viking]

@Torkys what should people want other than happiness? by happiness I consider enlightenment and peace too

[Dodo]

2 hours ago, SuperLuigi said:

So meditation and mindfulness have some bad press now: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/jan/23/is-mindfulness-making-us-ill 

Looks like someone didn't go deep enough.

From what I'm reading it seems like she is just the voice of fear. 

That 37 year old that she mentions "thought" she moved past her trauma, but meditation uncovered the truth. 

She couldn't handle the truth. Same with the writer of the piece. 

 

I have heard that meditation can be bad for people with mental health issues, because it uncovers just that - their mental issues. It uncovers it in order to get transcended, but some Egos decide to run instead of facing their fears. 

I think they just need to get grounded in the now, they need some Eckhart Tolle!

Edited October 25, 2017 by Dodo

[Girzo]

@Ilya it's not that we have to want something else than happiness, but it would be cool if we were ready to pay a price for that happiness first.

Back to the article, it just shows how much well-done research or good teacher is important. Without it we might be not ready to encounter the Dark Side and interpret it correctly.

[zazed]

@Dodo Exactly, this is precisely the issue here. She couldn't handle the truth for a fact  
This is someone without any knowledge at all, who just does some meditation and uncovers these issues. What is this person to do, how is the woman supposed to make sense of these emerging issues so suddenly? Before she was buried in work, never stopping, never slowing down, no time to worry or think, going on full-auto. She wakes up, and finds reality waiting for her, and she has no skills to deal.

Isn't it kinda logical? People are not born all knowing, when suddenly confronted we must make the best of it.

It's why meditation on it's own, is rarely the full solution. It's only half of the story imho.
Perhaps reading some of the philosophy of these theosophy's that promote meditation, is a better starting point?  

[Joel3102]

https://boldanddetermined.com/why-meditation-doesnt-work/

Think that article was bad?  Check out this cring-worthy article from a 'self improvement' website.

[Shanmugam]

15 hours ago, Joel3102 said:

https://boldanddetermined.com/why-meditation-doesnt-work/

Think that article was bad?  Check out this cring-worthy article from a 'self improvement' website.

Check out this one: https://boldanddetermined.com/when-science-gets-it-wrong/  from the same website.. He starts explaining why science doesn't work and  says 'Science is the lazy man’s search for truth' 

You can't really convince him.. For him, nothing works

I think we should change the title of this thread as 'The most funny and weird articles ever!'...

Edited October 26, 2017 by Shanmugam

[SuperLuigi]

@Shanmugam How can I change the title of the thread? It's a good idea!