PLoS One September 2017 PMID 28542181

The varieties of contemplative experience: A mixed-methods study of meditation-related challenges in Western Buddhists.

Jared R Lindahl, Nathan E Fisher, David J Cooper, Rochelle K Rosen, Willoughby B Britton

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Mentions

194

Peak: 9 in Feb 2021

across 6 sources since Jan 2019

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AI synopsis

What people are saying

In the discussions, many participants cite the high percentage of meditators experiencing negative effects, such as panic and anxiety, which reflects a serious concern towards meditation practices that are traditionally seen as solely beneficial. Phrases like 'underreported' and 'weird things people experience while meditating' demonstrate the mixed feelings about traditional narratives surrounding mindfulness practices, indicating a shift in understanding the complexities of meditation experiences.

AgreementModerate agreement

The majority of discussions express a general acknowledgment of the challenges presented in the study, with many participants resonating with the findings.

InterestHigh interest

There is a strong curiosity demonstrated as individuals reference the study and its implications, displaying eagerness to delve into the topic.

EngagementHigh engagement

Several discussions engage deeply with the research, noting specific statistics and personal experiences, indicating a well-informed audience.

ImpactHigh impact

Participants perceive the findings as significant, highlighting the need to acknowledge both the positive and negative aspects of meditation.

Abstract in brief

The study explores both positive and negative experiences of meditation among Western Buddhist practitioners, highlighting that challenges are often overlooked in health-related discussions.
A mixed-methods approach combines qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys to examine meditation-related challenges across various traditions.
The research identifies 59 distinct meditation experiences categorized into 7 domains, noting significant variation in individual interpretations and responses based on practitioner-level, practice-level, relational, and health behavior factors.

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All mentions

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Exploring the Psychology and Challenges of Mindfulness Meditation

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@RottenKrieg · X

@I_Love_Roses_ @PankiewiczJulia https://t.co/euS6dlCvXC https://t.co/CXvi4AEpDw https://t.co/c9zW58yZPO https://t.co/8j0KD0CpWL https://t.co/G84xAFcgDq https://t.co/EUicsfmdHQ

Nov 23, 2024 · 7 likes · 4,066 followers View post →

L. Havmøller

@lhh_mind · X

10/ (1) Sideeffekter ved meditation er ikke “sjældne”, og forskningen peger på kausale sammenhænge mellem meditation og sideeffekter. Se f.eks. https://t.co/RRA9Gs1YX8

Jul 27, 2024 · 20 followers View post →

tokatti

@tokatti_ · X

瞑想と睡眠の関係を調べた研究では、結果が食い違うことが多い。この現象は、瞑想を実践した人の一部（特にリトリートのように集中的な瞑想をした人に多い）が、不眠や寝不足を訴えるケースが多いのも原因かもしれない https://t.co/qA0LwZo02R #自分用メモ

Jan 19, 2024 · 178 followers View post →

paul

@reconfigurthing · X

This one seems very cool https://t.co/9VFyuw8gdN

Nov 14, 2023 · 3,423 followers View post →

BowTiedIguana | DeFi & Cybersecurity Researcher

@BowTiedIguana · X

@BowTiedBull BTB undefeated! Some fascinating papers on lesser known adverse effects of meditation here https://t.co/wq8ifH5oxy cc @TheRealMrsBroke (and happy birthday!)

Oct 27, 2023 · 3 likes · 22,568 followers View post →

Sayed Abdelhafiz

@dPhoeniixx · X

@alyemenimomo No surprise! In research titled: The varieties of contemplative experience: A mixed-methods study of meditation-related challenges in Western Buddhists. You can find the following table. I hope it is clear now, الحمدلله على نعمة الإسلام - Alhamdulillah for Islam 8/8 https://t.co/JPMq0yTzJE

Sep 7, 2023 · 2,431 followers View post →

@flexingsmile · X

@Augustus1Caesar https://t.co/7411DiACPz

Oct 5, 2022 · 14 followers View post →

Kell Compost

@CompostWitch · X

RT @KerryLVaughan: Continuing work on the risks/potential harms of introspective practices as a precursor to releasing some of @LeverageRes…

May 13, 2022 · 3 shares · 714 followers View post →

Maud O'Bedlam

@madmaudlingoes · X

RT @KerryLVaughan: Continuing work on the risks/potential harms of introspective practices as a precursor to releasing some of @LeverageRes…

May 13, 2022 · 3 shares · 131 followers View post →

David Chapman

@Meaningness · X

RT @KerryLVaughan: Continuing work on the risks/potential harms of introspective practices as a precursor to releasing some of @LeverageRes…

May 13, 2022 · 3 shares · 34,641 followers View post →

Kerry Vaughan-Rowe

@KerryLVaughan · X

May 13, 2022 · 11 likes · 3 shares · 2,170 followers View post →

Daniel Kawka

@KawkaDaniel · X

[3/6]

Jan 24, 2022 · 743 followers View post →

Daniel Kawka

@KawkaDaniel · X

4/4 Źródło: Lindahl JR, Fisher NE, Cooper DJ, Rosen RK, Britton WB (2017) The varieties of contemplative experience: A mixed-methods study of meditation-related challenges in Western Buddhists. PLOS ONE 12(5)

Jan 16, 2022 · 743 followers View post →

Rich

@Richard09999606 · X

Possible word evolution - Contempt laxative experience: Contemp’ la’tive experience: Contemplative experience. (So, can thoughtful reflection eliminate hate?) https://t.co/jmGTmkUG7t

Sep 26, 2021 · 1,272 followers View post →

meditationstuff

@meditationstuff · X

@ehipassiko444 @nickcammarata Lindahl, Jared R., et al. "The varieties of contemplative experience: A mixed-methods study of meditation-related challenges in Western Buddhists." PloS one 12.5 (2017): e0176239.

Aug 1, 2021 · 6,258 followers View post →

Kamuka

@sravacitta · X

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Jul 17, 2021 · 396 followers View post →

Mind

@_Mindmastery · X

A study in PLOS One, a prominent peer-reviewed journal, reported a whole host of “meditation-related difficulties”: 82% of them reported suffering from “fear, anxiety, panic or paranoia” as a result of their meditation practice. https://t.co/ulUWE87y5k

Jun 19, 2021 · 180 followers View post →

meehawl

@meehawl · X

"#Meditation practitioners met an average of 4 causality criteria (mean=4.2 ±1.1 range=2–6;), with more than half (60%) meeting 4, 5, or all 6 criteria, well-exceeding the minimum cutoff of 2 that standard guidelines use to warrant further investigation." https://t.co/ePuArpD2Y5

Apr 1, 2021 · 142 followers View post →

Scipod

@scipod_social · X

RT @scipod_social: Extensive literature supports the many benefits of #meditation, the adverse effects remain underreported. Dr Willoughby…

Mar 22, 2021 · 2 shares · 6,868 followers View post →

SciTube

@scitube_social · X

RT @scipod_social: Extensive literature supports the many benefits of #meditation, the adverse effects remain underreported. Dr Willoughby…

Mar 12, 2021 · 2 shares · 2,909 followers View post →

Scipod

@scipod_social · X

Mar 12, 2021 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 6,868 followers View post →

Christian Webb

@ChrisWebbPhD · X

The varieties of contemplative experience: A mixed-methods study of meditation-related challenges in Western Buddhists https://t.co/qq2VLPSJse

Mar 7, 2021 · 3,420 followers View post →

Dr. David Pecotić

@djp1974 · X

RT @Meaningness:

Feb 5, 2021 · 9 shares · 6,282 followers View post →

Winning Emergence

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Aaron Arnold

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leyla

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David Chapman

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GUiLD_AFX

@GUiLD_AFX · X

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Jan 18, 2021 · 823 followers View post →

keefellow

@keefellow · X

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Nov 26, 2020 · 231 followers View post →

meditationstuff

@meditationstuff · X

@dorjepadma https://t.co/gQPEwyX7RS Lindahl, Jared R., et al. "The varieties of contemplative experience: A mixed-methods study of meditation-related challenges in Western Buddhists." PloS one 12.5 (2017): e0176239.

Oct 6, 2020 · 2 likes · 6,258 followers View post →

meditationstuff

@meditationstuff · X

Lindahl, Jared R., et al. "The varieties of contemplative experience: A mixed-methods study of meditation-related challenges in Western Buddhists." PloS one 12.5 (2017): e0176239.

Oct 6, 2020 · 1 like · 6,258 followers View post →

Ravi S. Kudesia

@rskudesia · X

@bp_acton It's a growing research area - and and important one! https://t.co/x9Wpp6xD5Q

Sep 30, 2020 · 2 likes · 2,870 followers View post →

Robert Overweg

@RobertOverweg · X

@KesterRatcliff Glad that you found a different path. What did eventually help, if I may ask? I’m all about letting people know about the entirety of proven methodologies. Are you aware of this study in plos one which looked at people who had challenges when meditating. https://t.co/8RFnuWae7q

Aug 29, 2020 · 400 followers View post →

Hairy Zothyrian

@Hairy_Zothyrian · X

@KBULTRA0 @pyrrhowlhlm @Logo_Daedalus Nice meme, but actually engage. You’re saying the only substantial experiential part of occultism is memory based practices. https://t.co/jkAIWVS2VU https://t.co/mBLH8HhJI2 https://t.co/zaEUP8c58f etc etc, There’s hundreds and thousands of works, at least read William James

Aug 12, 2020 · 87 followers View post →

shivastears

@shivastears · X

@statnews https://t.co/LwtAyRvXCW

Aug 8, 2020 · 40 followers View post →

John Ablett

@JohnAblett · X

An old article discovered this week exploring difficult or challenging meditation experiences. I think it's probably generalisable to a lot of psychedelic and breathwork contexts too: https://t.co/oIAkvY7tPD

Jul 6, 2020 · 1 like · 1,113 followers View post →

Inspector Clousee u

@sofasach · X