Dark Side of Dharma: Meditation, Madness and Other Maladies on the Contemplative Path

Explores some of the possible undesirable adverse effects of meditation and mindfulness. 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 the modern West, 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 adverse effects have been ignored in contemporary secular settings

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