In this episode, Wendy speaks with clinical psychologist and meditation researcher, Willoughby Britton. Willoughby is a pioneer in contemplative research and one of the only people dedicated to understanding the possible negative outcomes from meditation (so called meditation-related adverse experiences). This conversation covers many topics, including:
- how she came to study the negative side of meditation;
- support and resources for those struggling with meditation-related difficulties (Cheetah House);
- scientific research on meditation-related adverse experiences;
- changes in perception and anxiety that can happen with meditation;
- how the same experience can be positive or negative depending on context;
- how the causes of adverse effects may be the same as for the benefits;
- the science of measuring harms in meditation research;
- what we know (and don't know) about these effects—who's at risk, how frequent they are, and how they show up for people;
- whether or not these difficulties are "part of the path" of transformation;
- grounding care in compassion;
- and aligning practices with the outcomes you want.
Full resources and show notes
