26 replies to this topic

[ThoughtOnFire]

"Why meditation should be taught in schools"

 

https://theconversat...n-schools-42755

[TDX]

Unfortunately meditation can trigger temporary depersonalization in some people and also depersonalization disorder. This has often been tied to transcendental meditation, but "mindfulness of the breath" can also do it. In a research paper they mention various other side-effects:

http://web-prod.spu....safety_AMBM.pdf

 

The knowledge about side-effects of meditation is lacking, but it's clear they exist and they can be severe and lasting. Because of this I'm not sure if it is a good idea to teach it at schools.

[ThoughtOnFire]

Unfortunately meditation can trigger temporary depersonalization in some people and also depersonalization disorder.

 

Life

[morph]

Bad idea

here are just two adverse effects of mindfulness practice - depersonalization and suicidal ideation. Do we really want a blanket introduction of this practice in schools, when meditators seem unwilling to discuss these issues?

[ThoughtOnFire]

I still stand by this. Just as I support the legalization of Marijuana. Especially when used medicinally.

[seven]

How can you support legalization of marijuana? You want more people end up on this forum or something?

[ThoughtOnFire]

I believe the overall positive impact of marijuana, especially medicinal, far outweighs the negative outcomes.

[ThoughtOnFire]

"Nearly 1.25 million people die in road crashes each year, on average 3,287 deaths a day. An additional 20-50 million are injured or disabled. More than half of all road traffic deaths occur among young adults ages 15-44."

Should we ban driving cars? Make it illegal? I don't know the statistics but I'm confident in my belief that medicinal marijauna does a LOT more good for people than it does bad by causing dissociation.

[morph]

I still stand by this. Just as I support the legalization of Marijuana. Especially when used medicinally.

Fortunately, where marijuana has been legalized, legislation has been put into place to protect minors.

[morph]

Unfortunately meditation can trigger temporary depersonalization in some people and also depersonalization disorder. This has often been tied to transcendental meditation, but "mindfulness of the breath" can also do it. In a research paper they mention various other side-effects:
http://web-prod.spu....safety_AMBM.pdf

The knowledge about side-effects of meditation is lacking, but it's clear they exist and they can be severe and lasting. Because of this I'm not sure if it is a good idea to teach it at schools.

Don't think that the link provided is useful now, so adding these two links. They are fairly up to date and bring up some serious issues that really can't be dismissed by anyone with just a curt, one word reply.

https://journals.plo...al.pone.0176239

https://journals.sag...745691617709589

[ThoughtOnFire]

The adverse effects of Western Meditation could stem from being introduced to it in adulthood, when the brain is either almost fully or is fully developed. And having not been introduced to Mindfulness while still growing into an adult. I feel that if one was introduced to meditation earlier on in life, the negative outcomes would be far far less pronounced. 
 

My curt one world reply was about how life in general is always a risk for depersonalization/suicide. Look at this for example: https://www.griffith...ol6.pdf#page=48

 

So we shouldn't let minors play video games or use the internet now?

 

I'm sure you'd agree that video games and internet usage can potentially induce dissociation and suicidal ideation.

 

You can't bubble wrap the youth. You can give them tools to handle what may come up in life though. Look, I'm not saying to teach some version of full on Buddhism in depth in schools. Simple 5 minute breathing mindfulness before class isn't going to cause the end of the world. 

[morph]

The adverse effects of Western Meditation could stem from being introduced to it in adulthood, when the brain is either almost fully or is fully developed. And having not been introduced to Mindfulness while still growing into an adult. I feel that if one was introduced to meditation earlier on in life, the negative outcomes would be far far less pronounced.

My curt one world reply was about how life in general is always a risk for depersonalization/suicide. Look at this for example: https://www.griffith...ol6.pdf#page=48

So we shouldn't let minors play video games or use the internet now?

I'm sure you'd agree that video games and internet usage can potentially induce dissociation and suicidal ideation.

You can't bubble wrap the youth. You can give them tools to handle what may come up in life though. Look, I'm not saying to teach some version of full on Buddhism in depth in schools. Simple 5 minute breathing mindfulness before class isn't going to cause the end of the world.

For now, I'll ignore the deflection and hyperbole, but might respond to it at a later date.

Interestingly, I was introduced to mindfulness as a child. So, based on the limited research available and my own lived experience, I believe your idea, that adverse effects would be reduced by introducing this practice at an early age, is flawed.