Dining across the divide: She casts meditation as a cult. I don't think retreats mean harm'
Briefly

The article discusses a meeting between two individuals, Lizzie and Richard, who share their views on mindfulness and meditation. Lizzie recounts her challenging experiences with meditation, stemming from her university days, leading to a period of distress. She raises concerns about the safety and efficacy of mindfulness interventions, particularly for young people, suggesting that intensive retreats can pose significant risks. Richard offers a counterpoint, suggesting mindfulness as a valuable life skill accessible through shorter practices. The exchange highlights differing perspectives on the benefits and risks of mindfulness.
Data suggests we should have increased concerns about mindfulness interventions, whether they're with adults or children. Obviously the risks are greater with intensive retreats, but courses are still a cause for concern.
My take on the introduction of mindfulness is that it's a basic life skill, which you can gain through short practices accessible to everyone. The deep dive of a 10-day retreat, I'd put on a separate level.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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