What are the hidden benefits of meditation?

Olivia Davis81 said: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?

Honestly, everything you just described sounds like the classic symptoms of an astral projection—especially that paralysis bit. Look, there are all kinds of wild states of consciousness out there, and when you're someone just starting to mess around with meditation, it’s super easy to accidentally trigger some intense mental states that feel nothing like "peaceful meditation"...

silvermason2 said: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?!

It mostly makes sense...
So, arrhythmia can happen too?

Angela Cox4 said:Honestly, everything you just described sounds like the classic symptoms of an astral projection—especially that paralysis bit. Look, there are all kinds of wild states of consciousness out there, and when you're someone just starting to mess around with meditation, it’s super easy to accidentally trigger some intense mental states that feel nothing like "peaceful meditation"...

I don't know enough about this stuff, so I won't dive into things I'm not familiar with. AP wasn't really my goal anyway. I just wanted to reach, I don't know, a higher level of awareness. As far as I know, isn't AP just an illusion?

Yeah, you can definitely run into arrhythmias, heart issues, or pretty much any physical ailment tied to a blocked chakra.

Let me give you a real-world example from my own life. I dove headfirst into meditation and chakra work way too fast. For a beginner with zero experience, it was just way, way too much spiritual practice all at once. What happened? First off, my appetite just vanished. I had this massive surge of energy coming from nowhere, just bursting out of me. During that stretch, I’d go several nights in a row without sleeping, yet I wouldn't feel tired for a single second during the day. At the same time, I started digging up a ton of subconscious baggage, which spiraled into depression. I spent months just crying from sunrise to sunset, blaming people who had hurt me ages ago. But those old wounds became part of my daily reality; I couldn't shake them or forgive them, and that’s when I actually got sick. I started losing weight rapidly and had no clue why. Every single test at the Mayo Clinic came back perfect—according to the doctors, there was absolutely nothing wrong with me.

Shortly after that, I sat down with two bioenergy practitioners. Both told me the exact same thing: I had massive emotional blocks and a chronic energy deficit in my solar plexus. I also started seeing a psychologist to have an objective person to talk through everything with, and honestly, I felt a shift after just three or four sessions. Meanwhile, I kept getting more medical tests done. Everything said I was perfectly healthy, except for one thing on my endoscopy: my stomach was spasming in one specific spot. It was clearly a physical reaction to negative emotions—and in my case, it was both the emotions and my diet.

So, look, meditation can actually be a perfect indicator of an underlying issue. It often shines a light on the very things we've been trying our hardest to ignore. And isn't it better to face the problem head-on rather than letting it sit there and slowly eat away at you?

As for AP, what exactly is the "illusion" supposed to be, other than the fact that it's hard to prove with materialist research? (Though, I did hear about an experiment where they measured photon counts in a room while someone in the next room was using AP to move around the testing area.) From a strictly scientific standpoint, all spirituality is considered an illusion. That's why I find mainstream science so incredibly conservative; how can you even begin to prove something if you refuse to acknowledge it might exist in the first place? You have to consider everything—both the scientific and the spiritual explanations for a concept. Just because something isn't material doesn't mean it isn't real.

Olivia Davis81 said:I don't know enough about this stuff, so I won't dive into things I'm not familiar with. AP wasn't really my goal anyway. I just wanted to reach, I don't know, a higher level of awareness. As far as I know, isn't AP just an illusion?

Look, meditation is meditation regardless of where you are on the path, but the self-awareness and those "aha!" moments? Those are always brand new. And that specific experience you had—you can't just force that through sheer willpower during a session. If I had to guess, you’re probably telling yourself you weren't meditating just so you don't have to deal with it. Based on how this whole thread is going, it seems like you aren't even quite sure what meditation actually *is*, which is pretty much where all your confusion is coming from.

Some people might experience AP spontaneously, and personally, I wouldn't go messing around with that—regardless of whether it's an illusion or not.

@ Olivia Davis81
I can't help but feel like you’ve got this real aversion to meditation, almost like there’s a layer of discomfort—maybe even a bit of fear—underneath it all... and honestly, I’d suggest looking into some other ways to awaken your consciousness, simply because anything we approach with a negative mindset tends to turn out negative for us, which obviously isn't the point here... maybe if you picked up a few books, they could offer some guidance that actually resonates with you, but either way, don't sweat it too much, because as they say, all roads lead to Rome. 😉

I’ve also started getting really interested in spiritual stuff lately, but I definitely don't want to make the same mistake you did. I guess I'll just take it slow—read up, learn things bit by bit, and see where it goes... I saw on another forum that AP and out-of-body experiences aren't actually the same thing. Maybe don't stress too much about when it'll happen; I suppose we'll all experience it whenever it's meant to be our time.

rustymaker5 said:@ Olivia Davis81
I can't help but feel like you’ve got this real aversion to meditation, almost like there’s a layer of discomfort—maybe even a bit of fear—underneath it all... and honestly, I’d suggest looking into some other ways to awaken your consciousness, simply because anything we approach with a negative mindset tends to turn out negative for us, which obviously isn't the point here... maybe if you picked up a few books, they could offer some guidance that actually resonates with you, but either way, don't sweat it too much, because as they say, all roads lead to Rome. 😉

It makes sense that I'm scared of meditation. It's just unfamiliar and feels totally different. Trying to reach a state without any thoughts feels pretty weird to me. I actually asked earlier if there were other ways to wake up my consciousness...

Olivia Davis81 said:It makes sense that I'm scared of meditation. It's just unfamiliar and feels totally different. Trying to reach a state without any thoughts feels pretty weird to me. I actually asked earlier if there were other ways to wake up my consciousness...

But it exists, and honestly, that's what makes life feel real—taking the long way around instead of looking for shortcuts.

bluemason3 said: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...

That’s actually exactly why I asked you, because I personally know a few Carthusian priests, and I thought you might be appealing to them specifically. Well, I'm glad to see we're on the same page then.

However, you really need to understand—and I mean you truly have to grasp this, it's a matter of stylistic emphasis—that this particular order is, in a certain sense, the most perfect entity within the Catholic Church as a whole, if one could even put it that way. Don't forget that this specific order, and exclusively this one, has never undergone any kind of reformation. Even the Second Vatican Council doesn't sway them much; they aren't interested in half-measures. There are no salaries there, no pensions, nothing at all except for their habit and pure, unadulterated faith. If a man finishes his time there and wasn't truly called to it, anything could happen.

Speaking to you as a friend of the Carthusians and someone who knows a fair bit more, I know a couple of these priests personally, and I can tell you that they are essentially the Special Forces of the Catholic Church. There is simply no room for weakness, insecurity, or speculation there. There isn't a shoulder to cry on, and there are no modern psychological techniques you can use to slip into "denial mode."

To give you a little more detail to help illustrate the bigger picture: when one of them passes away, they are buried in the earth on a simple wooden plank, wrapped in their habit, with a cross driven into the ground beside them. There are no names, no biographical data, nothing whatsoever that would indicate to anyone who was being buried. Furthermore, if a monk happened to be intellectually gifted enough to write a major work during his lifetime—something that would serve as a light and guide for other believers—he wouldn't publish it under his own name. That is strictly forbidden by the statutes of the Carthusian order; it has to be published under a different, invented name. There is no ego there, no anything that binds a priest to the world, other than the sheer fact that he exists in a body within the world where he resides. Also, I'm not sure if you knew, but they never, ever sleep for more than a few hours at a stretch; we're talking maybe three or four hours max in one go. There are reasons for that too, but I won't dwell on it too long. They respect the pope as their leader, of course, though they don't particularly care for the Vatican as an institution. In fact, they often say that if the pope wants to convey a message, he should just come and tell them himself; if it makes sense, fine, if not, they won't move.

You also have to realize they never eat meat—ever (except for fish once in a while). The food has no flavor; what I mean is, it isn't seasoned, precisely so the body doesn't experience pleasure in any segment of life. For many days of the week, they don't eat at all, or they just drink water and nibble on a crust of bread, just enough to get by...

I could tell you much more, but I'm sharing this modest amount of information specifically to bring you closer to the gravity of such a decision. It isn't meant for moderate or weak-willed believers, nor for speculators in any sense of the word. There is no room for people looking for a free ride; those types are weeded out very quickly if they even manage to get in at all.

So yes, occasionally certain "anomalies" pop up, which you've probably heard about, but the fault lies not with the Carthusian order itself, but with the individual alone.
Solitude and total self-denial hide many secrets, providing no false sense of security. Within oneself, anything is possible to find. So, I'll say it again: this order is unique, and it isn't for everyone. It isn't like a local parish, or a parish office, or the youth groups, or the Franciscans, Dominicans, or Jesuits. A priest doesn't just drive around in a car; they aren't "sociable" in the way society typically understands it.

I suppose you could look at the Cistercians as a starting point, but even then, there’s really no other religious order you can actually put a Carthusian monastery alongside—they truly exist in a league of their own.

Look, believe me if you want to, but I'm not just reciting some memorized script here; I can tell from our chat that you've already picked up on some of this yourself. It's a bit of a shame you didn't feel comfortable sharing the specifics so I could hear what's being whispered out there, but hey, that's alright. I know enough to get by, and honestly, a public forum isn't really the place to be trading that kind of sensitive information anyway.

I just wanted to offer one piece of advice: if you happen to hear anything along those lines, don't let it sway you, because that particular order isn't responsible for any of that nonsense.

Look, I know the history and the lifestyle of the Carthusians inside and out, but that’s beside the point. There’s no sense in spreading stories we can't fully verify. I wasn't there personally to witness it—it's stuff I heard a long time ago, and my memory might be playing tricks on me.

Two things really matter here:

1 - Spiritual discipline comes with risks. We're talking social fallout, physical strain, or even psychological effects from the practice itself. People aren't built the same way, yet the rules and methods are often applied like a one-size-fits-all template.

2 - There’s a massive double standard at play. When looking at "outsiders"—or those seen as alternatives within the church—people immediately attack their methods or their religious affiliations. But when things go wrong on our side, we always find a way to rationalize it. It’s never a systemic failure; it’s always just down to the individual.

I mean, obviously, I was just trying to drill down into the specifics of what we were discussing, but yeah, life doesn't always follow the script we write in our heads just because we feel certain it should. It’s rarely that predictable. But look, the real issue with meditation—or really any kind of deep, inward soul-searching, regardless of the setting (and let's be honest, you don't need to lock yourself away in some remote monastery in the Rockies to do this, and frankly, most people shouldn't try that anyway since it's such a rare feat)—is that it can trigger these manifestations. A person might start hearing things or sensing things deep within themselves without even realizing it's happening. What you actually stumble upon in those quiet depths, if you find anything at all, can be incredibly jarring and honestly pretty shocking.

That’s essentially why the ego exists; it functions primarily as a defense mechanism for our perception and everything else involved... it's a massive, complicated subject, really. I think I'll just sit back, see how this conversation evolves, and then decide if I want to dive deeper into the weeds here....

On a related note, something more tangible and useful regarding this whole topic—since I think everyone would find it fascinating to check out—good luck to whoever watches this. It's a documentary series on the subject broken into about a dozen parts; it isn't overly heavy-handed, which is clearly the goal, so we can all chat about it later;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_zDtdYu3mA

Olivia Davis81 said:It makes sense that I'm scared of meditation. It's just unfamiliar and feels totally different. Trying to reach a state without any thoughts feels pretty weird to me. I actually asked earlier if there were other ways to wake up my consciousness...

Look, you could always just take some high-quality psychedelics and learn everything in a single afternoon. But I wouldn't recommend that. Everyone reacts differently, and since I can't speak from personal experience, I'll leave that part to you... 😁

analogstag29 said:I mean, obviously, I was just trying to drill down into the specifics of what we were discussing, but yeah, life doesn't always follow the script we write in our heads just because we feel certain it should. It’s rarely that predictable. But look, the real issue with meditation—or really any kind of deep, inward soul-searching, regardless of the setting (and let's be honest, you don't need to lock yourself away in some remote monastery in the Rockies to do this, and frankly, most people shouldn't try that anyway since it's such a rare feat)—is that it can trigger these manifestations. A person might start hearing things or sensing things deep within themselves without even realizing it's happening. What you actually stumble upon in those quiet depths, if you find anything at all, can be incredibly jarring and honestly pretty shocking.

That’s essentially why the ego exists; it functions primarily as a defense mechanism for our perception and everything else involved... it's a massive, complicated subject, really. I think I'll just sit back, see how this conversation evolves, and then decide if I want to dive deeper into the weeds here....

On a related note, something more tangible and useful regarding this whole topic—since I think everyone would find it fascinating to check out—good luck to whoever watches this. It's a documentary series on the subject broken into about a dozen parts; it isn't overly heavy-handed, which is clearly the goal, so we can all chat about it later;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_zDtdYu3mA

I'm heading home from work now to check out this interesting link, but before I sign off for the weekend, allow me to paste something that just landed on my keyboard amidst the chaos of my busy workspace...

.. isn't it just as noble to be a Capuchin or a Carmelite in the middle of 'God's world,' earnestly gathering the fruits of paradise? To squeeze out the joy of God's world and the beauty of the Coming world through the quiet flow of one's own heart—where God speaks to us from within while we chop wood for our family's hearth, or navigate the quirks of a restless spouse, or perhaps while putting on our subculture's makeup in the morning before heading to a 9-to-5, or even while adjusting our vestments in a worn-out chapel? 😍

One doesn't need to be a hermit to recognize and encounter the Creator of all things visible and invisible through meditation on His Rijecja. Just as the Holy Father says, it isn't about what we do, but rather what God does within us. We don't have to trek out to the desert; we can find ourselves permeated by God right in the middle of daily tension. In any rhythm of everyday life, we can instantly find a sanctuary by embracing the freedom that only comes from a deep, meditative plunge into oneself.

That Cartesian immersion into the self requires a strong will, but you don't have to join a monastery to achieve it. It is enough to invoke Christ's priestly prayer, through which the God-man offers the meditator peace and courage against the tribulations of the world—not by withdrawing from the world, but by immersing oneself fully within it.

Olivia Davis81 said: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?

The most beautiful and lucid way to awaken one's awareness is through movement in the great outdoors.
Even if it means trekking uphill and getting a bit winded.
That physical connection to the earth is essential for those who are hypersensitive.
Don't just sit there and overthink; instead, walk mindfully, observing the trees, the birds, and the vast sky...
Nature is calling!🙂

And please, do not try to force "mindfulness."
Simply live fully and observe both the world around you and the world within you.
The less effort, the better.

I personally find contemplation much more fulfilling than meditation..

Contemplation is far more active and goal-oriented in its nature. It involves things like deep introspection, keeping a journal, questioning one's own motives, or pondering the deeper significance of life—whether you are wrestling with abstract theories or trying to make sense of the immediate, everyday experiences right in front of you.

While meditation and mindfulness are wonderful for sharpening focus and awareness—essentially optimizing our brain chemistry so we aren't constantly hijacked by automatic thoughts—contemplation takes a different route. It engages the intellect and reason directly, working through our thought processes to uncover true meaning, underlying motivations, or even the fundamental nature of reality itself. You could say that the awareness cultivated through meditation provides the necessary foundation; it gives us the clarity to recognize our own thoughts, desires, and emotions so that we can then step in and actually deal with them.

That being said, I have to admit there are real risks involved in contemplative practice. I find myself agreeing with bluemason3 on this point; there is simply no guarantee that someone won't experience adverse effects from such intense mental work. This is particularly true for individuals who already struggle with certain psycho-physical challenges, or those who might be genetically predisposed to developing specific mental health issues.

During my time at a pretty solid yoga institute, I rarely saw meditative practices recommended as standalone sessions. Usually, they were just tossed in at the beginning as part of the physical routine. Occasionally, there’d be some mantra work—mostly for those following Hindu traditions—but even then, it was almost always bundled with the physical exercises. We did practice them, sure, but instructors often emphasized that this stuff was more for personal use rather than something to use with clients.

On the flip side, when dealing with clients facing psychological issues, we’d regularly ramp up the physical aspect of the program and strip out the contemplative elements entirely (even though mindfulness is being pushed into physical workouts quite a bit lately).

Even though people talk endlessly about spiritual philosophies, most of us usually dive into practice because something in our lives isn't working right. It's driven by problems, not just a pure hunger for truth. Plus, our modern lifestyle is worlds apart from the environments where these contemplative practices actually originated. Trying to meditate in a high-speed society where your senses are constantly bombarded isn't the same thing.

People are different, too. Everyone processes things uniquely and has a different baseline constitution. One common cultural trend I notice is an overabundance of stimulation paired with a lack of core stability, and neither is particularly helpful for deep practice.

All in all, you can't say meditation is inherently dangerous, but you can't call it safe either. It all depends on the individual, their approach, the bigger picture of their lifestyle changes, and any prior preparation. It’s like anything else. It's hard to find a food that's perfectly healthy for everyone or an object that's guaranteed to never cause harm. We just need to stop treating these techniques like religions, elevating certain methods as "magic bullets" that solve everything instantly and suit everyone perfectly (unlike the "inferior" options offered by the competition, of course). A more grounded approach works fine. A technique is just a technique; it’s only as useful as it is to the person using it. It doesn't have inherent value just because someone marketed it well to make it sound cool. For some, it might be great; for others, picking mushrooms 😛 😁 might be more useful than any meditation.

Meditation itself isn't inherently dangerous in the way people usually wrap their heads around danger.

The actual risk factor in meditation is the meditator—that is, the individual who begins stepping into certain states of their own soul, touching upon what they truly are without even realizing it. So, the danger lies within the person practicing, not in the practice itself. Meditation is just the tool; the practitioner is both the cause and the consequence.

It’s the same logic you’d apply to asceticism, fasting, renunciation, celibacy, or deep contemplation. These are all means to an end, and in themselves, they aren't dangerous; in fact, they are generally considered desirable. Of course, the outcome can occasionally be risky, though that’s rare, but it remains a possibility.

Furthermore, when we talk about the realms of the spirit, consciousness, purpose, struggle, and God, we are entering the territory of higher science. This isn't something you just stumble upon casually, like some magic trick where everything is suddenly revealed with a snap of the fingers, Harry Potter style. This is serious work. The ultimate goal is enlightenment—the total comprehension of the cosmic struggle in its entirety, the Absolute. We often say an enlightened person is someone who no longer carries questions; everything is clear to them, they understand who everyone is and what they are meant to do, and there are no more doubts left. All that remains is pure love and light, and such a soul is finally redeemed.

Fear vanishes, those illusory chains fall away, everything becomes crystal clear, and the person finds themselves in complete peace. It is a state of bliss and serenity, perhaps the most precious state of being available in this world. Such a soul has learned everything and is fully committed, standing ready to transcend the limitations of the human skin and all the passions of the flesh, ultimately leaving behind the sentence of that very body.

So, to put it simply, meditation is the vehicle, but the destination is something else entirely. You don't reach it easily; if it were simple and straightforward, everyone would be a saint, but we all know how rare a saint is, especially in today's world. And mind you, being a saint isn't a title you earn; it's a state of being, which I think is pretty obvious.

The whole point is to transcend the mind and the physical passions through these various methods to finally discover the most vital thing of all: why you are here, or rather, who you actually are.

@analogstag29

I’m not entirely sure if you’ve quite grasped what bluemason3 is getting at here... all this talk about philosophies, spiritual enlightenment, and those other lofty concepts are really just abstractions. What we are actually discussing is the concrete mechanics of the practice itself—specifically, whether one might encounter contraindications during sessions or suffer any lasting adverse effects. At the end of the day, everything we do exerts a tangible influence on both the brain and the body, so the intensity, the method, and the frequency of our actions are far from negligible.

Whether people buy into the mystical narratives or not, they can still run into significant issues with raw practice, and that has nothing to do with their level of belief. It comes down to pure physiology, neurology, and individual psychology. This means there isn't some magic, universal formula for how much to do, what techniques to use, or when to stop. Yet, you often see spiritual instructors doing the exact opposite—they push the same stories, the same formulas, and the same rigid regimens onto everyone without any sense of personalization. When things go wrong, they tend to dodge responsibility by claiming these psychotic deviations are merely a result of a "deeper misunderstanding" or a failure to embrace spiritual reality, along with all that other nonsense. Instead of acknowledging that everyone comes with their own unique medical history and that you can't treat every person with the same protocol—in other words, that meditation isn't always a one-size-fits-all cure-all.