As part of our #MeditationHacks series, Josh Bartok, a Zen teacher, suggest what to do if meditating leads to an unstable mind.
Photo by Callie Gibson.
Although my meditation practice has undoubtedly reduced my suffering, it has sometimes come at a high cost, because meditation has brought on some very painful and unstable psychological states. How can I meditate without leading to another destabilizing “dark night”?
Josh Bartok: Buddhist meditation—though powerful, transformative, and liberating—is not a cure-all. It is not, for instance, a reliable treatment for diabetes, and it has limited utility for setting a broken leg. Similarly, don’t imagine you can use meditation as a replacement for the psychological work of therapy or for lasting management of a psychiatric illness with biological underpinnings, like bipolar depression. Trying to apply meditation in these ways is “spiritual bypassing.” It is ineffective and dangerous, and can actually amplify suffering—for both yourself and others.
Practice patience: this path ultimately unfolds beyond space and time for all of us.
When destabilization arises out of meditation (or when you’re using meditation to forcefully clamp down on destability), this is an indication of important work to be done in other domains. If such things arise for you, take great care—and don’t try to go it alone. Seek out and be open with a reputable, psychologically sophisticated meditation teacher who appreciates the value and differential role of psychotherapy and does not teach (or practice!) spiritual bypassing. And seek out a therapist who will not encourage or collude with it.
Practice moderation in meditation, in both intensity and duration. You may benefit from taking a break from meditation for some period of time—even years—as you metabolize psychologically charged challenges and your karmic history in the context of therapy. Don’t imagine that intensive retreats or monastic-style meditation is the only way to live a dharma life or to actualize the bodhisattva’s vow to save all beings. And practice patience: this path ultimately unfolds beyond space and time for all of us.
Read more from our #MeditationHacks series…
Not Enlightened Yet?
Author and musician Miguel Chen comforts a practitioner who doesn’t seem to be getting any closer to enlightenment.
Feeling Unworthy?
Author and psychoanalyst, Pilar Jennings, offers advice to a practitioner who continues to feel unworthy and unloved.
Other Ways to Practice?
Vipassana teacher Konda Mason answers the question: “Is it OK if I find other ways to be meditative besides sitting on a cushion following my breath?”
Sleepy Mind, Monkey Mind?
Anita Feng, teacher for the Blue Heron Zen Community in Seattle, helps a practitioner navigate the path between drowsiness and daydreaming.
Is Meditation Painful?
Buddhist teacher Mushim Patricia Ikeda suggest alternatives when meditation becomes too painful.
Don’t Like Meditating?
Lila Kate Wheeler, author and trainer at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, answers what to do if you don’t like to meditate.
Practicing for Myself?
A Mahayana Buddhist who is encouraged to practice for the benefit of all sentient being feels like they are only practicing for their own benefit. Venerable Thubten Chodron answers.
Buddhist Traditions: Which Way to Go?
Rev. angel Kyodo williams, founder of the Center for Transformative Change, advises on what to do when confronted with too many choices.
Meditation Leading to an Unstable Mind?
Josh Bartok, a Zen teacher, suggest what to do if meditating leads to an unstable mind.
Still a Schmuck?
A reader asks Sylvia Boorstein: “What’s the point of practice if it’s not making me a better person?”
Your Partner Disapproves?
A new meditator’s spouse disapproves of their newfound practice. Susan Piver, founder of The Open Heart Project, answers.
Overwhelmed by Emotions?
Author and lay Zen teacher Susan Moon is asked: “Should I stop meditating when emotions begin to overwhelm me?”
Practicing on Your Own?
An isolated practitioner asks dharma teacher Mitchell Ratner where to look for community.
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