What are the dangers regarding Buddhist meditation?
Meditation is about working with the mind and there is much about the mind that is unknown – that s why we meditate. Intense development of concentration can result in the release of certain energies or bring about unusual states and if one doesn t have a well-balanced lifestyle this can be difficult. It is not recommended that people with psychological problems take up meditation without suitable guidance. The process of meditation entails an opening up of consciousness. Many memories are not available to the conscious mind because of repression, avoidance (because of the pain such memories hold), denial, lack of time etc. With the relaxation that comes through meditation, often old or long forgotten memories and feelings pop up . If these are particularly powerful they can be a bit overwhelming. This is not unnatural, and is more a difficulty than a danger. The danger is not really with the meditation but with moving into a neglected or abused mind. Like a machine that has been badly
