What are the hidden benefits of meditation?

I know there are tons of threads like this everywhere—maybe too many—but I’m looking for some answers I just haven't been able to find. Is meditation really the only way to awaken consciousness? And does Christianity actually allow meditation (like simple breathwork), and what are the risks involved? I've read stories about people becoming neurotic and ending up in psychiatric care, even though meditation is always pitched as this ultimate source of peace and relaxation.
I tried it once just to dip my toes into the world of meditation, but my heart started racing almost immediately. I felt this sense of paralysis and a light that kept spreading. I had to force myself to stop. Afterward, I was shaking a little. I don't know if I imagined it or what, but it wasn't pleasant. If anyone here has experienced something like this, what am I looking at?

Take a look through the old threads; there’s actually one over in the psychology section about the potential risks of meditation.

I would argue that there aren't any truly pressing issues here. It is perfectly normal—even expected—for certain suppressed elements, whether they be raw emotions or past traumas, to occasionally bubble up during meditation. Some people might find themselves caught off guard or even slightly overwhelmed by it all, which can certainly cause some distress. However, perhaps that is actually a beneficial part of the process; if one becomes aware of an underlying issue, they finally have the opportunity to address it. Ultimately, it depends on the individual, but my assessment is that the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.

Furthermore, I fail to see why Christianity would prohibit such a practice. There isn't anything inherently at odds with the faith—in fact, from what I understand, meditation can be viewed as just another form of prayer.

"Meditation is simply the practice of focusing your attention on a particular object — generally something simple, like a word or phrase, a candle flame or geometrical figure, or the coming and going of your breath. In everyday life, your mind is constantly processing a barrage of sensations, visual impressions, emotions, and thoughts. When you meditate, you narrow your focus, limit the stimuli bombarding your nervous system — and calm your mind in the process. The reason meditation works so effectively is that it connects you with a spiritual dimension, which different commentators give different names, but many people simply call it 'being.'"

Nancy Wilson2 said:I would argue that there aren't any truly pressing issues here. It is perfectly normal—even expected—for certain suppressed elements, whether they be raw emotions or past traumas, to occasionally bubble up during meditation. Some people might find themselves caught off guard or even slightly overwhelmed by it all, which can certainly cause some distress. However, perhaps that is actually a beneficial part of the process; if one becomes aware of an underlying issue, they finally have the opportunity to address it. Ultimately, it depends on the individual, but my assessment is that the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.

Furthermore, I fail to see why Christianity would prohibit such a practice. There isn't anything inherently at odds with the faith—in fact, from what I understand, meditation can be viewed as just another form of prayer.

"Meditation is simply the practice of focusing your attention on a particular object — generally something simple, like a word or phrase, a candle flame or geometrical figure, or the coming and going of your breath. In everyday life, your mind is constantly processing a barrage of sensations, visual impressions, emotions, and thoughts. When you meditate, you narrow your focus, limit the stimuli bombarding your nervous system — and calm your mind in the process. The reason meditation works so effectively is that it connects you with a spiritual dimension, which different commentators give different names, but many people simply call it 'being.'"

It might all be fine, except for the fact that there seem to be so many cases where people end up becoming mentally unstable...

Look, meditation isn't some magic trick—it just shines a massive spotlight on all the junk we've been bottling up inside ourselves for years. I honestly don't get how people claim it can drive you crazy; the whole point, right? You're supposed to just be a neutral observer, sitting there watching it all go by without getting sucked in.

Olivia Davis81 said:It might all be fine, except for the fact that there seem to be so many cases where people end up becoming mentally unstable...

I have to wonder where you even read that—it seems some people harbor this misguided notion that a few meditation sessions will magically dissolve their entire existence of problems, which simply isn't how reality works. Everyone is looking for an instant fix these days, so naturally, they end up making a mess of things. Or, quite frequently, they aren't practicing correctly to begin with. Look, there is a massive spectrum of personalities, issues, and life circumstances here—it’s rarely a one-size-fits-all scenario. If someone is struggling with clinical depression, for instance, it might be far more prudent to address that primary issue before attempting to dive into deep meditation. Then again, given how varied people are, the reverse approach might suit some while being entirely useless for others. Regardless, my own observation suggests there are far more instances where it proves beneficial than those where it fails.

I mean, look—when people have zero clue what they’re actually doing with meditation, they end up stumbling into all these weird states of consciousness that have absolutely nothing to do with being zen.

Honestly, it's way more interesting to talk about the actual risks involved with astral projection.

Olivia Davis81 said:It might all be fine, except for the fact that there seem to be so many cases where people end up becoming mentally unstable...

Mental instability isn't caused directly by meditation; it's more about having a nervous system that was already compromised. Think of it like this: certain meditative techniques can actually irritate an already fragile nervous system, which then gets pushed over the edge by other stressors in life.

I have to be honest, I personally can’t think of a single instance where someone actually became mentally unstable just from meditating, and I know plenty of people who make it a regular part of their lives... Since meditation is really just a technique meant to quiet the noise in your head, maybe those folks were already struggling with their mental stability to begin with, and they're just using this as an excuse to explain away what was already happening. 🤷
Regarding that whole inhale-exhale thing you mentioned, that falls more under breathing exercises, which can definitely trigger some strange physical sensations if you do them a certain way, but again, they aren't the cause of neuroticism unless there’s already some underlying psychological imbalance lurking beneath the surface.
I suspect mainstream Christianity doesn't look too kindly on meditation either, unless, of course, it's being guided by a priest within the official rules of the church.

I know them well.

Regarding Christianity, I’ve seen my share of outbursts in monasteries. Their version of history tends to be very selective and apologetic—honestly, it’s best to just tune it out.

I was scrolling through an international forum recently and saw a group going on about how they regularly cry or have complete breakdowns during yoga sessions. It sounds like a circus, 😁 but it's not entirely unfounded. Releasing pent-up stress through yoga, relaxation, or meditation can work, but things can also take a darker turn. I don't know the exact percentage—I doubt anyone has conducted a study precise enough to pin down the numbers—but there's no denying it happens. There are even academic papers on the subject. I think there's a specific term used in some wellness circles, maybe something like "relaxation syndrome," though I could be wrong. Just hearsay, really.

Personally, I’ve witnessed everything from simple headaches and minor psychological shifts to much more serious mental and even physiological issues. It isn't happening every single hour, but it definitely occurs.

bluemason3 said:I know them well.

Regarding Christianity, I’ve seen my share of outbursts in monasteries. Their version of history tends to be very selective and apologetic—honestly, it’s best to just tune it out.

I was scrolling through an international forum recently and saw a group going on about how they regularly cry or have complete breakdowns during yoga sessions. It sounds like a circus, 😁 but it's not entirely unfounded. Releasing pent-up stress through yoga, relaxation, or meditation can work, but things can also take a darker turn. I don't know the exact percentage—I doubt anyone has conducted a study precise enough to pin down the numbers—but there's no denying it happens. There are even academic papers on the subject. I think there's a specific term used in some wellness circles, maybe something like "relaxation syndrome," though I could be wrong. Just hearsay, really.

Personally, I’ve witnessed everything from simple headaches and minor psychological shifts to much more serious mental and even physiological issues. It isn't happening every single hour, but it definitely occurs.

Look, if you're going to claim you "know" what's happening, could you actually walk me through it? I'm genuinely curious—give me some specifics. Which monastery are we talking about, which order, when did this happen, where was it located, and what kind of madness actually went down? I'd really love to hear the details...

analogstag29 said:Look, if you're going to claim you "know" what's happening, could you actually walk me through it? I'm genuinely curious—give me some specifics. Which monastery are we talking about, which order, when did this happen, where was it located, and what kind of madness actually went down? I'd really love to hear the details...

Well, it’s all second-hand information, so I won't play telephone with you. Unlike those fanatics over in the Eastern Bloc who swear by their own little circles, this is just hearsay. I haven't seen it personally, nor have I checked any official records, so I could easily be wrong (or maybe there's some other "influence" at play, right?).

If my memory serves, it was a Carthusian monastery... there were some suicides...

Look, meditation actually does wonders for your brain in a few specific ways:

- It pulls you out of that mindless "autopilot" mode we all fall into—you know, just drifting through life without noticing anything—and boosts your awareness so your days actually feel longer and way more meaningful.

- It sharpens your focus and concentration, which—let’s be honest—is the whole reason you’ll start knocking out problems faster and more efficiently than before.

- It builds up your tolerance for whatever stress-inducing nonsense life throws at you, making you a much calmer, happier, and more patient person overall.

- It actually bumps up your Intel. While you're meditating, you're basically building new synapses—new neural connections. We’ve got over 100 billion neurons floating around in our brains, and when it comes down to it, what really separates us in terms of Intel is how many of those neural connections we have wired up.

And if you look at it from a purely physiological standpoint, your body gets a massive kickback too:

- You get lower levels of lactate and cortisol in your bloodstream—those are the classic red flags for stress, depression, and anxiety.

- It helps bring down your blood pressure.

- It can boost those longevity and youth hormones, like Growth Hormone (HGH) and DHEA. Honestly, meditation is a much cheaper and more natural way to give your body those essential hormones compared to any supplement you'd find at a pharmacy.

- It ramps up the hormones responsible for that actual sense of happiness and well-being: serotonin and melatonin.

- Plus, it helps with muscle relaxation.

analogstag29 said:Look, if you're going to claim you "know" what's happening, could you actually walk me through it? I'm genuinely curious—give me some specifics. Which monastery are we talking about, which order, when did this happen, where was it located, and what kind of madness actually went down? I'd really love to hear the details...

I don't know anything about monasteries, but I certainly know something about transcendental meditators. 😢😲😁

By the way, there's a mention here regarding a priest who took his own life in Rome:

There was one other person in my life—someone I truly felt I could entrust my entire existence to—and that was my dear, dearly missed professor, Anton Benvin.

Anyway, that's a whole different subject:

Please don't start demonizing something that actually helps people improve their quality of life... There are so many people struggling with suicidal thoughts that have absolutely nothing to do with meditation! In fact, maybe some wouldn't be feeling that way if they actually practiced it regularly... 😉
It’s honestly just like blaming strawberries because you happen to have an allergy to them. ☕

I’ve even heard rumors about people developing addictions from it. It might not be true, though. I read somewhere that it mostly affects guys who are total materialists—you know, the typical Western man living for stuff—and then after meditating for a while, they just get super irritable about everything. From what I understand about Christianity, it doesn't really allow TM. I’m not entirely sure what this meditation actually entails, so could someone please define it for me? How is it different from other types?
This one looks like the simplest option--> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgRPMajdu34

I wonder what kind of impact that kind of meditation actually has on one's sexuality... you know, the kind that isn't centered on God or done under His guidance?
It most likely has one of two results—it either leaves you feeling completely depleted, or it just pumps you up.

Lisa Morales4 said:I wonder what kind of impact that kind of meditation actually has on one's sexuality... you know, the kind that isn't centered on God or done under His guidance?
It most likely has one of two results—it either leaves you feeling completely depleted, or it just pumps you up.

And whose presence or guidance are we even talking about, though? I mean, isn't God in everything and is everything in God? 😉

By the way, even though my sex life with my late husband was wonderful, I actually had my most spectacular orgasm while meditating... it was total, pure madness! 😍

rustymaker5 said:And whose presence or guidance are we even talking about, though? I mean, isn't God in everything and is everything in God? 😉

By the way, even though my sex life with my late husband was wonderful, I actually had my most spectacular orgasm while meditating... it was total, pure madness! 😍

I don't know, but I still feel like all those unspoken assumptions really ought to be communicated clearly.
To me, it feels like walking into a room and starting a conversation without even saying hello, or just walking away from someone without a polite goodbye or a quick thanks at the end.

😍

is that basically thought orgasm? 😍

Everything you do in this life—whether you’re grinding hard or just sitting still—leaves a mark on your psyche and your body. Meditation is no exception. People love to talk about "dangers," though I wouldn't call them that; they're really just human reactions to specific stimuli. It's like how one person might feel sick after a single Advil, while someone else can pop a maximum daily dose and feel like they could run a marathon.

You have to follow the instructions for pretty much everything. Just like you’d read the label on a prescription from your doctor, every meditation technique comes with a set of guidelines you need to stick to if you actually want positive results. If you go rogue and start doing stupid stuff without knowing what you're doing, you're going to pay for it later. Believe me, I learned that the hard way.

Any bad experience you have while meditating usually boils down to a few things:
- The specific technique just isn't a good fit for you.
- For beginners, overdoing it can throw your energy levels completely out of whack. You might end up with too much energy—leading to insomnia, loss of appetite, jitters, headaches, or even vomiting—or you might drain yourself too much, leaving you feeling exhausted, listless, depressed, or dealing with weird aches and pains even when your physical exams at the clinic come back perfect.
- You fell for some fake guru who pushed an inappropriate technique on you and charged you an arm and a leg for it.
- You lack basic knowledge about the technique and its effects. When you start feeling things happen, you have no idea where it's coming from, and you end up freaking yourself out.
- A massive pile of subconscious emotional baggage surfaces after just one session, and if you don't know how to handle it, there's a high chance you'll lose your mind.

If someone gets "sick from meditation," it’s not the meditation that caused the illness. The issue was already there; meditation just accelerated it. It’s like schizophrenia—in most cases, the person was already dealing with it long before the first symptoms showed up. Meditation just sped up a process that was already unfolding. As for physical ailments popping up after spiritual practice, those are often just manifestations of emotional blocks. At its core, spiritual practice is about finding internal balance and breaking through those blocks. For instance, if someone can't feel love, they likely have a blockage in their heart chakra, which could manifest as heart issues like arrhythmias. If someone feels helpless or invisible, that's a solar plexus blockage, which can lead to stomach issues, nausea, or diarrhea.

Regarding "going crazy"—like I said, the person was already headed that way, but they might have found out ten years from now instead of today. And honestly, what does "crazy" even mean anymore? Don't tell me that just because I see auras, I belong in a psych ward. Symptoms are one thing, but actual disease is something entirely different. A headache can be a symptom of a thousand things; it doesn't automatically mean you have a brain tumor. Besides, it's always easier to call someone "crazy" just because they're different than to admit to yourself that you're missing out on the incredible experiences they're having. If they see the world through a different lens, why should they be the "weird" one and me the "normal" one? Why can't it be the other way around?!