🧘♀️ Wrenching new article on meditation risks from @DavidKortava
Showcasing one person’s catastrophic outcome from a Goenka-brand vipassana retreat.
harpers.org/archive/2021/0…
Showcasing one person’s catastrophic outcome from a Goenka-brand vipassana retreat.
harpers.org/archive/2021/0…
@DavidKortava I’m reluctant to name and shame particular Buddhist/meditation brands, for many obvious reasons.
However, someone has to do the consumer protection work of pointing out that some are riskier than others.
However, someone has to do the consumer protection work of pointing out that some are riskier than others.
@DavidKortava Many people have had good experiences with Goenka retreats, including my spouse and another family member.
I would still recommend avoiding them. This article makes clear some specific risks of this brand relative even to other vipassana brands.
I would still recommend avoiding them. This article makes clear some specific risks of this brand relative even to other vipassana brands.
@DavidKortava Goenka retreats accept people with minimal prior meditation experience and put them into an extremely intense, rigid regimen that may be positively transformational, or destructive.
The staff are often not adequately trained in meditation/Buddhism, let alone mental health crises
The staff are often not adequately trained in meditation/Buddhism, let alone mental health crises
@DavidKortava Usually, their answer to all problems is “meditate harder.” That can send you into psychosis—as in this case. vividness.live/meditation-ris… 
@DavidKortava I’m not qualified to run a meditation training rating service, nor do I want to.
I think it may be time for one, though.
I think it may be time for one, though.
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