Mindfulness CAN be bad for you?.. but but but

Mindfulness Can Be Bad For You | Psychology Today

Say what?

I'm jaded atm but wow- wouldn't had thought I'd read an article about how mindfulness could be "bad" or corrupted In a sense... but yet, ok- I can see a way that people (humans) could twist it into a way to not be beneficial .. I know I've had my own debate with a past therapist on mindfulness and that I believed I should be harder on myself-- but in the end where does that get me, .... try to be better in the end and I will never reach Nirvana in this life time.

Though I am jaded, I'll post also the positive here from the same website of psychology today
Mindfulness | Psychology Today

What draw backs and /or positives have others experienced with mindfulness?

"A laugh is worth a hundred groans in any market." Charles Lamb
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da7StUzVh3s

Okay, I am a certified mindfulness meditation instructor. I read the first article you linked. It is a terrible article in that it presents a big mishmash of ideas, and it does not adequately separate mindfulness practices from meditation. One can go on a walk and practice mindfulness. It could be mindfulness of how one is feeling (I feel paranoid. I feel free. I feel tired.) or mindfulness of the environment (Singing birds. Fluffy clouds. Cool breeze.) while meditation is something completely different.

The major problem I see is that mindfulness articles are everywhere...but none say that it is best to practice these activities along with the guidance of a certified instructor. Suppose you read articles about how easy it was to drive a car...all you need is to get in, start it up, put your foot on the pedal...and...

That would be disaster! Sure, some people would get the hang of it...but what about all the obstacles...can you imagine someone driving around who did not receive instruction about stop signs, railroad crossings etc?

Practicing these activities is best if one has a certified instructor. Because especially with meditation..."stuff" can arise that might be best handled in a therapeutic setting. As well, sitting meditation can cause depersonalization and dissociation.

I think beginning mindfulness itself is okay to practice if you have a good source of instruction such as a good book on the subject or a good online source. It is really a matter of being observant without bias. There are tons of mindfulness exercises. I know because I had to do them all while being trained. But the best are practices specifically tailored to you...and that can only happen if you have a certified guide.

As far as Nirvana...that isn't the objective of mindfulness practices. That is more a religious goal and would require a completely different kind of training. (I have had that, too.) But mostly if we learn self-acceptance and our mindfulness practice blossoms into a greater awareness of others, and we become more compassionate, that is an ideal goal to reach...in this lifetime.

I'm sorry some of my sarcasm tones dont come through (the Nirvana and I didn't mean to offend)) haven't been in a great place lately but sorry.

Good reply though

"A laugh is worth a hundred groans in any market." Charles Lamb
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da7StUzVh3s

Oh, you were joking? I just didn't get that but neither was I offended. It did remind me of how I spent a lot of years thinking I could get enlightened if only I practiced hard enough. Well the joke was on me. In fact...I am pretty much the same as when I started out...except maybe more patient. But not even that because when I am driving I still curse at other drivers. But I don't kill insects and I am vegetarian. Baby steps...


No, I liked your questions. And obviously this a is a subject I adore. I could talk about this stuff for hours. I hope I did not offend you! And sometimes I get impatient with a lot of articles that cause more confusion.

I love all your artwork.