Adverse Effects and Difficult Stages of the Contemplative Path

Chris Kaplan, M.A., Evan Winget, B.S., Nathan Fisher, B.A., Willoughby Britton, Ph.D.

Common Assumptions Revisited Assumption: Frequency of meditation-related difficulties is very rare. Data from our study suggests that this is more prevalent than previously believed. Research investigating prevalence is currently in progress. Assumption: Difficulties only happen to individuals with psychiatric vulnerability. Comorbidity/psychiatric vulnerability may increase severity and duration of meditation-related difficulties, but there were participants with no P/T history with severe functional impairment in our current study. Assumption: Difficulties only occur at high doses of practice. Dose is important, but not sufficient to account for all difficulties. A sizable portion of our sample had difficulties occur during daily practice. Assumption: Difficulties result from wrong practice or a bad teacher. There is an expected period of difficulty in Buddhist traditions as well as others. In some cases this can be sign of proper practice (see right column). Duration of symptoms is in many cases dependent on supportive context, many practitioners in our study found working with a spiritual framework to be helpful. Assumption: Difficulties only happen from dry insight or too much concentration practice. Difficulties occur in practitioners of solely concentration and solely vipassana, as well as practitioners of the combination of both

Selected Maps of Contemplative Development Theravada Buddhism: Canonical Metaphors for Development: M I 479, A I 240, S III 154, cf Analayo 2003: pp 252-256 Visuddhimagga*, Buddhagosa, 5th century C.E. Progress of Insight*, Mahasi Sayadaw, 20th century C.E. Zen Buddhism: Five Ranks of Tozan, Tozan Ryokai, 9th century C.E. Tibetan Buddhism: Avatamsaka Sutra, trans. Thomas Cleary (multiple authors), 4th century C.E. Dodjom Lingpas Vajra Essence*, trans. B. Alan Wallace, 19th century C.E. Christianity: Interior Castle*, St Teresa of Avila, 16th century C.E. Dark Night of the Soul*, St John of the Cross, 16th century C.E. Judaism: The Path of the Just, Rabbi Moshe Chayim Luzzatto, 18th century C.E. Tract on Ecstasy, Rabbi DovBer of Lubavitch , 19th century C.E. Sufism: The Conference of the Birds*, Farid ud-Din Attar, 12th century C.E. A Treatise On The Heart*, al-Hakim al-Tirmidhi, 11th century C.E.

* Period of difficulty mentioned in the text

Phenomenology
Cognitive

Remedies
Impaired executive function Vivid imagery or thoughts Medication

Increased perceptual sampling rate Mind emptiness Delusions or irrational beliefs Loss of sense of self Anomalous subjective recall Derealization Hallucinations Visual lights Distortions in time and space Synesthesia Affective lability/reactivity Fear/anxiety Mania Agitation Depression Suicidality Alexithymia Tachycardia Overheating or sweating Extreme fatigue Insomnia or lack of sleep need Nightmares or vivid dreams Breathing irregularity Social isolation or impairment

Anti-anxiety Anti-biotic Anti-depressant Anti-psychotic Dosage increase Meditating through it Dosage decrease Stopping practice Compassion practice Visualization practice General concentration practice Noting/labeling practice

Mood stabilizer Muscle relaxant Sleeping medication

Practice Sense of Self

Disintegration of conceptual meaning structures

Perceptual Alterations

Hypersensitivity to sound or color/light Changes in body awareness

Body scanning Equanimity or non-judgmental awareness Chinese internal arts Working with a teacher Chanting Walking meditation Yoga Prostrations Jhana practice Alternative medicine Indigenous or shamanic healer Tibetan medicine Body work

Therapy Affective

Loss of meaning or faith Exaggeration of neuroses De-repression or traumatic flashbacks Anger/rage or aggression Lifestyle Changes

Psychotherapy Western medical doctor Traditional Chinese doctor Physical therapy Acupuncture Social support General physical exercise Solitude Activity in nature Attitudinal adjustment, Spiritual framework

Somatic

Decreased appetite or weight loss Headaches or head pressure Pain or pressure knots Involuntary movements Gastrointestinal distress Somatic energy or vibrations

Helping others Artistic expression Writing Diet Changing surroundings Emotional expression Functional activity

Correspondence: Chris Kaplan, M.A., Nathan Fisher B.A., Willoughby Britton, Ph.D. britton.lab@gmail.com

Social/ Occupational

Occupational impairment

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