Depression
Posted: 01 Dec 2007
Provided without comment from, Can Meditation Be Bad for You? by Mary Garden. Published in the Humanist, September/October 2007.
And better late than never;
Dr. Lorin Roche, a meditation teacher, says a major problem arises from the way meditators interpret Buddhist and Hindu teachings. He points out that meditation techniques that encourage detachment from the world were intended only for monks and nuns. He has spent thirty years doing interviews with people who meditate regularly and says many were depressed. He says they have tried to detach themselves from their desires, their loves, and their passion.
"Depression is a natural result of loss, and if you internalize teachings that poison you against the world, then of course you will become depressed".
And better late than never;
The Dalai Lama has said that Eastern forms of meditation have to be handled carefully: "Westerners who proceed too quickly to deep meditation should learn more about Eastern traditions and get better training than they usually do. Otherwise, certain physical or mental difficulties appear."