Mindfulness is a form of meditation which teaches you to focus on being intensely aware of what you’re sensing and feeling in the moment. The practice uses breathing methods and guided imagery to relax the body and mind in order to feel ‘fully present’ and aware of each moment, in turn, reducing stress, anxiety and depression. It is [incorrectly] touted as a universal tool for boosting mental wellbeing.
Mindfulness has become a trendy billion-dollar ‘meditation/wellness’ therapy pushed by scientific luminaries such as pop star Harry Styles, football player Raheem Sterling and TV personality Oprah Winfrey. In short, Mindfulness has taken the health industry by storm. It is claimed that 15% of adults in the UK have tried it.
However… a new study warns that mindfulness can result in some very unpleasant side effects and trigger unpleasant feelings such as disembodiment.
University of Cambridge researchers conducted an in-depth trial to examine the effectiveness of mindfulness as a way of coping with the stress of exams. The team followed 670 participants a year after their mindfulness course to discover if they had experienced any ‘altered states of consciousness’. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire exploring 11 ‘dimensions’ such as spiritual experience, blissful state, disembodiment and unity.
The experience of Unity is supposed to create a sense or a feeling that we are all part of a larger, interconnected whole, while Disembodiment experiences often consist of a floating sensation or a dissolution of body boundaries, meaning a person can feel disconnected from their body and mind.
Analysis of the results revealed that the participants who had undergone mindfulness training were twice as likely as those in a control group to experience feelings of unity and disembodiment. Of those who said they experienced altered states of consciousness, 43% experienced unity, 47% experienced blissful states, and 29% said they had experienced feelings of disembodiment. Similar results can be found with people who practice meditation, but one must remember that these feelings are manifest only in the imagination.
As interesting as all this might be, the jury is still out on whether mindfulness actually helps people. But… Hypnosis takes less effort and is much quicker because it teaches clients to control their feelings and emotions and self-hypnosis is easy to learn and practice.
In my clinical practice I encourage clients to put their problems, their feelings and emotions, in perspective. I also encourage clients to come to an understanding of proportionality… to stand back and see the bigger picture. Life isn’t always a bed of roses, as with anything else, happiness often takes effort! Being mindful of that means you are normal and living in the real world.