An app that can calm children,
soothe them to sleep and help them concentrate? Most parents I know would give
their eye-teeth for such help. So why does this ‘Mindfulness’ app, along with
the trend that inspired it, worry me so much?
For me,
the problem is that mindfulness techniques are based on meditation, a form of
self-hypnosis currently embraced and wholeheartedly promoted by several high
profile figures and mooted as a wonderful new route to mental health. Now there
are special apps for children, including one for under-5s!
“No harm
in that,” some say. But there are various types of meditation, some of which
are not beneficial and may even be downright dangerous. With this in view,
let’s be mindful of what meditation actually is and which forms should be
avoided at all costs.
What is meditation?
Meditation
is more than mere daydreaming. It involves deep, concentrated
thinking by which we can review the past, ponder the present and consider the
future – not just our own but that of others and the world in general.
Successful meditation requires complete solitude with no distractions – no
mobile devices or online games to interrupt the process.
True
meditation should be purposeful and focused, even resulting in amazing Eureka
moments from celebrated thinkers such as the late Stephen Hawking must have
enjoyed while contemplating the universe!
Good meditation
To
get the best from this practice, we need to look to the best possible examples,
such as wise and spiritually-minded people mentioned in scripture. In fact, the
Bible encourages meditation - not the sort that involves emptying the mind or
muttering mindless mantras and empty repetition, but meditation that helps us
dwell on wholesome and upbuilding topics, such as God’s qualities, standards
and dealings with mankind.
King
David, for instance, often lay awake ‘in the watches of the night’ meditating
on deep spiritual matters which provided him with inner depth and moral
strength. (Psalm 63:6, Psalm 1:3)
Harmful meditation
Many
forms of meditation have roots in ancient Eastern religions. In contrast to
musing on profound scientific or spiritual truths, however, “The mind has to be
empty to see clearly,” according to one exponent. These words reflect the view
that emptying the mind while focusing (mindlessly) on certain words or images
promotes inner peace, mental clarity and enlightenment.
Another
source describes a typical meditation as
focusing fully attention on one’s breath as it flows in and out of the body.
“Focusing on each breath in this way allows you to observe your thoughts as
they arise in your mind and, little by little, to let go of struggling with
them.”
Although
it may seem harmless, this technique which encourages you to let go and ‘empty
the mind’ is not only employed by yoga practitioners but also by spiritualist
mediums as they seek to contact their guides in the spirit
world. And you don’t need to be a practicing psychic to invoke the
demons! Even though we may initially feel some benefit, emptying our mind
leaves us open to some very nasty squatters! (Matthew 12:43-45)
And
it seems I’m not alone in worrying about this form of meditation:
Dr
Miguel Farias, a reader in cognitive and biological psychology and
co-author of The Buddha Pill, is very concerned about the effects of what he
describes as an entirely unregulated’ practice. “Quite a lot of
mindfulness teachers have no training whatsoever in mental health.” He also
doubts the value of mindfulness apps.
“They
work like relaxation apps. Focusing on your breathing can usually make you
relaxed – but for some it can also bring on a panic attack.’ There is a wealth
of evidence to show that mindful exercises can have negative effects. While
some people, find mindfulness unhelpful and dispiriting, for a significant
number of others – and for reasons not yet completely understood – it can lead
to anxiety, panic or even psychosis. – Can mindfulness be bad for you?
Anne Moore, YOU magazine.
https://www.you.co.uk/can-mindfulness-bad-one-writer-investigates/
Claire
initially found mindfulness relaxing, “but then I felt completely zoned out
while doing it. Within two or three hours of later sessions, I was starting to
really, really panic.” The sessions resurfaced memories of her traumatic
childhood, and she experienced a series of panic attacks. “Somehow, the course
triggered things I had previously got over,” Claire says. “I had a breakdown
and spent three months in a psychiatric unit. It was a depressive breakdown
with psychotic elements related to the trauma, and several dissociative
episodes.” – Is Mindfulness making us ill? Dawn Foster,
The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/jan/23/is-mindfulness-making-us-ill
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