What are the dangers of meditation?

Psychological research has demonstrated the numerous benefits of meditation, which include stress release, sleep aid and the ability to develop a deeper understanding of our lives. For those of you who do meditation on a regular basis, you’ve no doubt experienced these benefits first-hand, but you may have also had to overcome a few hazards.

There are several dangers of meditation, which may arise during practice, particularly with beginners. It is important to be prepared for these dangers so that you can deal with them in a healthy way, rather than simply quitting – have a read below of the most important things to be aware of when meditating.

1. There is no right or wrong way to meditate
Some books or teachers will claim that their way of meditating is the right way  and may even dismiss other forms of meditation as incorrect. Be careful not to listen to these claims, as meditation can be practiced in all sorts of ways and there are many different approaches; you just need to find the right one for you. Remain flexible and open to trying different techniques, so if one doesn’t feel right for you, you can switch to another.

2. You will be forced to face buried emotions
You’ll find that the most profound part of meditating is the interaction with yourself, meaning you’ll get in touch with emotions that might have been suppressed. For this reason, it can trigger feelings of anger, fear and jealousy that have been sitting deep within you, but just know that this is normal and natural when meditating, and the emotions will gradually subside.

3. Meditation is not therapy
Meditation is a journey, which has the power to heal and nourish you. However, many people make the mistake of thinking that it’s therapy and that meditation alone will solve all their problems. Don’t expect this to happen if you are facing difficulties in your life, you might need to see a therapist, rather than rely on meditation, in order to be heard and understood.

4. You must not detach yourself from your life
Non-attachment is a skill you’ll develop during the practice of meditation, which involves taking a step back from what is going on in your life and accepting that changes will soon take place. It’s an important skill, as it will help you not to get too carried away with any dramas and enable you to remain calm. However, be careful not to detach yourself from the people and things you love, or become inactive; non-attachment is supposed to change your relationship with life, not remove it. Eventually you’ll find you will be able to make conscious choices because you relate to yourself and others in a non-attached manner.

If you decide to give meditation a go, it’s crucial that you bear these dangers in mind.