Freethought & Rationalism Archive

-RRH- · 10-15-2002, 10:58 PM

So, out of my bizarre fascination with such things, I have attended a local seminar on meditation run by followers of Sri Chinmoy.

I have mentioned this to a friend of mine, who has become concerned. She has urgently warned me that they meditate for far too long, which can be bad for you!

Now, I'm unsure about how powerful meditation really is, so I doubt the risks are too grave. I've withstood Scientologists, Mormons, and the Twelve Tribes, but I guess better safe than sorry.

So, anyone have comments on how much damage one can really do by meditating?

Ronin · 10-15-2002, 11:07 PM

I fell asleep.

Meditation is not magickal or especially powerful.

Be wary of the words and imagery of the 'sri'.

Peace and stillness need nothing.

Veil of Fire · 10-16-2002, 07:10 AM

<a href="http://www.sfweekly.com/issues/2002-08-28/bayview.html/1/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.sfweekly.com/issues/2002-08-28/bayview.html/1/index.html</a>

Supposedly, people's brains CAN break.

I, of course, say that NORMAL people can think about whatever they want without going into psychotic breakdowns. If you have severe mental problems because you cleared your mind or chanted a word over and over, it ain't the meditation's fault. It's because you were ALREADY unbalanced. But others disagree with me.

Godless Dave · 10-16-2002, 08:00 AM

Meditation isn't magic. It can't hurt you. What can hurt you is when the instructor says "You're all getting the hang of this very well! To take your experience to the next level, I recommend you sign up for the advanced meditation class, which meets every Monday for a fee of $75. This should be done in addition to the regular meditation class ($55). And if you can find the time, we talk about really fascinating things in the Dreaming Tao workshop ($100) on Wednesdays. $5 off if you pay cash."

Toefur · 10-16-2002, 09:16 AM

Your friend sounds like my ex.

Meditation can't harm you. How could it possibly? (Apart from Dave's scenario

)

Clarice · 10-16-2002, 11:08 AM

Well, I wouldn't recommend doing it while driving, but other than that, I'd say it's harmless.

If you've ever found yourself staring off into space and thinking of nothing (I call it "zoning"), or if you've ever been so engrossed in a book/movie/game/whatever that someone talks to you and you don't hear them, you've pretty much reached a meditative state anyway - didn't hurt you then, did it?

trientalis · 10-16-2002, 05:50 PM

I recall a story of four rabbis who engaged in deep meditation, hoping to glimpse the Godhead. Each one succeeded. However, one died instantly. One became an apostate. One managed to escape unscathed. The fourth went mad.

I have also read cautions about vipassana meditation sending certain individuals haywire. It sounds like, in some people, meditation is like using LSD. It doesn't drive you mad; it just reveals the madness that already exists.

Dr Rick · 10-17-2002, 03:22 PM

Meditation, and particularly transcendental meditation has been well-studied and does have some documented health benefits. Meditation has been found to lower blood pressure, improve sleep patterns and restfulness, decrease the incidence of substance abuse, decrease numbers of employee sick days, improve self-esteem, decrease anxiety, and improve memory.

Rick

gsx1138 · 10-17-2002, 03:31 PM

I was always taught that meditation allows demons to enter your mind and control your body. Apparently when you clear your mind of random thoughts it allows space for demons to enter. Of course this is Jehovah's Witness dogma so there ya go. I try to meditate at least 3 times a week and I'm much less stressed now than I used to be so it helps somewhat.

Veil of Fire · 10-17-2002, 04:56 PM

Well duh! You let the demons of "non-stressed-ness" enter your mind!! EXORCISM TIME!

10-15-2002, 10:58 PM	#1
-RRH- Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 2,047	Meditation breaks brain? So, out of my bizarre fascination with such things, I have attended a local seminar on meditation run by followers of Sri Chinmoy. I have mentioned this to a friend of mine, who has become concerned. She has urgently warned me that they meditate for far too long, which can be bad for you! Now, I'm unsure about how powerful meditation really is, so I doubt the risks are too grave. I've withstood Scientologists, Mormons, and the Twelve Tribes, but I guess better safe than sorry. So, anyone have comments on how much damage one can really do by meditating?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

10-15-2002, 11:07 PM	#2
Ronin Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Mississippi Posts: 5,047	I fell asleep. Meditation is not magickal or especially powerful. Be wary of the words and imagery of the 'sri'. Peace and stillness need nothing.

10-16-2002, 07:10 AM	#3
Veil of Fire Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: South Carolina Posts: 451	<a href="http://www.sfweekly.com/issues/2002-08-28/bayview.html/1/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.sfweekly.com/issues/2002-08-28/bayview.html/1/index.html</a> Supposedly, people's brains CAN break. I, of course, say that NORMAL people can think about whatever they want without going into psychotic breakdowns. If you have severe mental problems because you cleared your mind or chanted a word over and over, it ain't the meditation's fault. It's because you were ALREADY unbalanced. But others disagree with me.

10-16-2002, 08:00 AM	#4
Godless Dave Contributor Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: With 10,000 lakes who needs a coast? Posts: 10,762	Meditation isn't magic. It can't hurt you. What can hurt you is when the instructor says "You're all getting the hang of this very well! To take your experience to the next level, I recommend you sign up for the advanced meditation class, which meets every Monday for a fee of $75. This should be done in addition to the regular meditation class ($55). And if you can find the time, we talk about really fascinating things in the Dreaming Tao workshop ($100) on Wednesdays. $5 off if you pay cash."

10-16-2002, 09:16 AM	#5
Toefur Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 77	Your friend sounds like my ex. Meditation can't harm you. How could it possibly? (Apart from Dave's scenario )

10-16-2002, 11:08 AM	#6
Clarice Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: North Carolina Posts: 862	Well, I wouldn't recommend doing it while driving, but other than that, I'd say it's harmless. If you've ever found yourself staring off into space and thinking of nothing (I call it "zoning"), or if you've ever been so engrossed in a book/movie/game/whatever that someone talks to you and you don't hear them, you've pretty much reached a meditative state anyway - didn't hurt you then, did it?

10-16-2002, 05:50 PM	#7
trientalis Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Washington state Posts: 848	I recall a story of four rabbis who engaged in deep meditation, hoping to glimpse the Godhead. Each one succeeded. However, one died instantly. One became an apostate. One managed to escape unscathed. The fourth went mad. I have also read cautions about vipassana meditation sending certain individuals haywire. It sounds like, in some people, meditation is like using LSD. It doesn't drive you mad; it just reveals the madness that already exists.

10-17-2002, 03:22 PM	#8
Dr Rick Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: USA Posts: 5,393	Meditation, and particularly transcendental meditation has been well-studied and does have some documented health benefits. Meditation has been found to lower blood pressure, improve sleep patterns and restfulness, decrease the incidence of substance abuse, decrease numbers of employee sick days, improve self-esteem, decrease anxiety, and improve memory. Rick

10-17-2002, 03:31 PM	#9
gsx1138 Regular Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Bremerton, Washington Posts: 379	I was always taught that meditation allows demons to enter your mind and control your body. Apparently when you clear your mind of random thoughts it allows space for demons to enter. Of course this is Jehovah's Witness dogma so there ya go. I try to meditate at least 3 times a week and I'm much less stressed now than I used to be so it helps somewhat.

10-17-2002, 04:56 PM	#10
Veil of Fire Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: South Carolina Posts: 451	Well duh! You let the demons of "non-stressed-ness" enter your mind!! EXORCISM TIME!

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.