Dangers of Mindfulness, Importance of Existentialism, Against Self-Doubt
Existential Espresso Vol. 48
What I read:
“Huge trial finds mindfulness makes some teenagers’ mental health worse” on the Philosophy for Life blog
It’s an uncomfortable idea to even consider, let alone accept, for anyone who’s experienced the benefits of mindfulness practices, but they can in fact have adverse effects for certain people.
And we are not talking about mindfulness practices in terms of taking psychedelics for therapeutic purposes. We are talking about something as simple and seemingly harmless as meditation.
What adverse events or forms of impairment are most common? (Dr Willoughby Britton) has mapped over 60 different types of adverse event, but the most common are: hyperarousal, where your attention has become so intensified that ordinary life becomes disturbing (note that the students in the MYRIAD trial had higher levels of hyperactivity and panic than the control group); dissociation; emotional flattening; social impairment; and executive impairment — problems making decisions or remembering things. She’s teased out how serious these impairments can be — for example, if someone reports executive dysfunction, it’s much more likely to have lasting bad effects than other forms of adverse effects.
A thought-provoking read that I highly recommend you read if you are interested in the topic of mindfulness and mental health.
What I’ve watched:
Existentialism and Human Development by Eric Dodson
Some of you might know how much respect and gratitude I have for Eric Dodson. I consider him one of the best online educators, certainly in the space of psychology and philosophy.
In this short but value-packed video, Dodson gives a great overview of the implications of existential thought for the topic of human development.
Consider this video an explanation of why you should care about existentialism.
And please give Mr. Dodson a like and subscribe.
What I’ve been thinking about:
You could've been convinced that you are not enough and that you never will be, to the point that you view every attempt at bettering yourself as failure waiting to happen.
I will make sure to regularly remind you that’s not true.
But it is your duty toward yourself to break out of this thinking pattern.
Remember that everyone experiences self-doubt to a certain extent. And it is in everyone’s power to move forward despite it and prove the inner self-doubter wrong.
Thank you for reading.
Stay strong, love life, and never feel sorry for yourself.
P.S. at the moment of this Existential Espresso being published, there is 1 hour left to join my free (Re)Build course.
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My free ebook: The Lost Art of Reading
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