Meditation is very popular around the world and for a good reason. It’s a practice offering numerous health benefits, from stress and anxiety reduction to improving focus and overall well-being.
Meditation involves focusing your attention on a single object, thought, or sensation, such as your breath, a mantra, or a candle flame. Meditation can help you relax, reduce stress, improve your mood, and enhance your well-being. Many meditate regularly to enjoy these benefits and cope with everyday life’s challenges.
However, meditation is not a magic bullet that can solve all your problems. Like any other activity, meditation has dark sides you should know before starting or continuing your practice. Here are some possible drawbacks of meditation and how to deal with them.
Meditation Can Be Boring
Some people find meditation boring or tedious, especially if they have to sit still for a long time or repeat the same words repeatedly. This can make them lose interest or motivation to meditate or even dread meditation sessions. To overcome this challenge, you can try various types of meditation, such as visualization, mindfulness, or movement. You can also vary the duration, frequency, and location of your meditation sessions to keep them fresh and exciting.
Meditation Can Be Frustrating
Some people expect meditation to be easy or to produce immediate results. However, meditation is not a quick fix or a shortcut to happiness. It requires patience, perseverance, and practice. You may not immediately notice any changes in your mood or behavior. In fact, you may encounter difficulties such as distractions, restlessness, or negative thoughts.
To cope with this frustration, you can remind yourself that meditation is a process and a skill that takes time to develop. It’s important to focus on the positive aspects of your practice, such as the calmness, clarity, or compassion you experience during or after meditation.
Meditation Can Be Uncomfortable
Some people experience physical discomfort or pain when they meditate, such as soreness in their back, neck, shoulders, legs, or feet. This can be caused by sitting in an unnatural or rigid posture for too long or by tensing up their muscles or joints. To prevent or relieve this discomfort, choose a comfortable and supportive seat, such as a chair, a cushion, or a mat. You can also adjust your posture frequently and gently stretch your body before and after meditation.
Meditation Can Be Challenging
Some people face emotional or psychological challenges when they meditate, such as anxiety, fear, anger, sadness, or guilt. These feelings can arise from confronting their inner thoughts and feelings, recalling unpleasant memories or experiences, or facing their fears or insecurities.
To deal with these challenges, you can acknowledge and accept your emotions without judging or suppressing them. You can also seek professional help if you feel overwhelmed or depressed by your emotions.
Meditation Can Be Risky
Some people may experience adverse effects from meditation, such as dissociation, depersonalization, derealization, psychosis, or mania. These rare effects usually occur in people with a history of mental illness who meditate excessively or incorrectly or lack proper guidance or support. To avoid these risks, consult a healthcare professional if you have any medical or mental health conditions before starting a meditation practice. You should also follow a qualified teacher’s instructions or a reputable information source on meditation. You should also stop meditating and seek help if you notice any signs of distress or abnormality in your mental state.
Meditation is a valuable and beneficial practice that can enhance your health and happiness. However, it has its drawbacks and difficulties. By being aware of the possible dark sides of meditation and how to overcome them, you can decide whether to start or continue your practice. Therefore, you can enjoy the benefits of meditation more thoroughly and safely.