Know What's Happening in Meditation
Know What's Happening in Meditation
Woman voluntarily enters psychedelic-like trance, brain scans reveal
A 37-year-old woman demonstrated the ability to enter a transcendental visionary state without any pharmacological aid. Functional MRI across twenty sessions showed a marked reduction in visual and somatosensory network coupling, while the frontoparietal control and salience networks became more integrated, indicating a reorganization toward lower-entropy connectivity.
Anxiety often blocks meditation, emerging as everyday worry, entrenched habit, or existential fear triggered by deep insights. The article illustrates how insights can challenge self‑identity, creating resistance to practice. It outlines a two‑step approach: first, dissect anxiety into thoughts, sensations, and emotions; second, build courage using compassionate imagery. A forthcoming Managing Anxiety course is offered as a structured solution for practitioners seeking lasting relief.
The article examines a growing Western interpretation that the four brahmaviharas—loving‑kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity—constitute a complete path to awakening. It contrasts this view with early Pali canon passages that consistently link the brahmaviharas to rebirth in Brahma realms...
Everyday mindfulness is defined as non‑judgmental, present‑centered awareness that blends intentional attention with an open attitude toward experience. The article debunks common myths—such as mindfulness being a relaxation technique, a mind‑emptying practice, or a quick fix for stress—and clarifies that...
The Buddhist "Second Arrow" story distinguishes inevitable pain from the optional suffering we add through our reactions. The first arrow symbolizes unavoidable hardships such as loss, illness, or workplace stress, while the second arrow represents rumination, self‑pity, and negative narratives...
The mindfulness education sector is projected to surge between 2026 and 2030, driven by corporate wellness initiatives and rising consumer interest in mental health. Forecasts estimate a compound annual growth rate of roughly 12%, translating into a demand for 250,000...
Recent insights highlight overlooked sources of mental tension that hinder meditation depth. The author identifies five habitual patterns—predictive monitoring, selective attention, frantic intention, over‑control of thoughts, and rigid time‑space tracking—that create unnecessary stress. Practical tricks are offered to loosen each...
Vinny Ferraro presents a guided meditation aimed at nurturing an “undefended heart,” encouraging practitioners to meet personal and others’ pain with compassion. The practice combines body awareness, heart‑centered intention, and repeated compassionate phrases toward familiar individuals and broader acquaintances. Ferraro...
The post argues that chronic cortisol elevation, not cortisol itself, drives stress‑related health issues by keeping the HPA axis overactive. It highlights the vagus nerve’s role in shifting the nervous system toward parasympathetic dominance, measurable through heart‑rate variability (HRV). Gentle,...
Roberta Schnorr reflects on integrating her personal mindfulness practice with the unpredictable demands of classroom teaching. She describes how daily meditation, targeted breath and body‑awareness exercises, and intentional self‑inquiry help mitigate reactivity, anxiety, and over‑attachment to outcomes. By tuning into...
In this episode of "Let's Have the Conversation," host Desiree B. Stevens explores the concept of "staying"—maintaining presence and regulation within community work and difficult dialogues. She outlines three core practices: staying in your body to avoid dissociation, staying without...
Shane interrupts your ability to care for yourself. Because it reinforces the idea that there's something wrong with you. Then, instead of diet or self-help advice benefitting you, it keeps you thinking that you're a problem to fix. If you truly want...
The author marks a decade of sobriety, Buddhist practice, and the anniversary of his father’s fatal overdose, reflecting on how both trauma and recovery are shaped by mental habits. He describes his father’s life of addiction, incarceration, and eventual death,...
Sleep quality changes with age, moving from a focus on total hours to the need for psychological calm at bedtime. Older adults often report lighter sleep, lingering worries, and less restorative mornings despite feeling fatigued. The article argues that unresolved...
In this episode Matthew Sokoloff wraps up his series on the Noble Eightfold Path by exploring the final segment, the Factors of Samadhi—wise effort, mindfulness, and concentration. He explains the four types of wise effort, illustrating how to prevent, abandon,...
The case report details a 21‑year‑old male with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A) who presented with severe depression, psychosis, and suicidality. After ruling out endocrine‑driven causes such as hypothyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, and pheochromocytoma, clinicians identified a primary psychiatric etiology and...
GoodTherapy’s Member Spotlight features licensed therapist Anna Aslanian, who emphasizes the importance of matching clients with therapists who specialize in their specific concerns. She advises first‑timers to prioritize expertise and personal comfort, noting that a strong therapeutic bond is essential...
Do you want to share the benefits of mindfulness and self-compassion with others? Join Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield for this FREE training and explore how to guide others with presence, integrity, and deep listening—helping people quiet the mind, awaken...
GoodTherapy’s latest guide clarifies the distinction between normal sadness and clinical depression, offering a detailed checklist for self‑assessment. It outlines key symptom differences—duration, intensity, functional impact, and cognitive patterns—while emphasizing that depression requires professional treatment. The article also provides actionable...
Lisa Kring, LCSW, combines over 25 years of Theravada mindfulness with somatic and attachment‑based therapies to create a non‑pathologizing psychotherapy model. Her practice at InsightLA targets individuals dealing with anxiety, trauma, chronic illness, grief, and parenting challenges. Kring offers a...
Kimberly Brown’s new meditation, “Let Go and Accept Change,” offers a loving‑kindness practice that teaches active acceptance of life’s impermanence. The guide outlines step‑by‑step breathing, heart‑centered visualizations, and compassionate phrases for self and others. By framing acceptance as a proactive,...
Tara Brach argues that fear, when met with mindfulness, becomes a gateway to a loving, present awareness. She explains that suffering stems from identities built on fear, and that attentive, compassionate observation can transform that energy into tender presence. The...
Tara Brach’s 19‑minute guided meditation, “Know That You’re Here,” offers a concise practice that centers breath, awakens the body, and expands sensory awareness. The session is framed by original music from Adrienne Torf, adding a creative dimension to the mindfulness experience....
Breathworks is launching a blended‑learning version of its eight‑week Mindfulness for Health programme, combining self‑study modules with five optional live Zoom meet‑ups and a private discussion forum. The course costs £200, with a concessionary rate of £160 and limited bursaries...
The article argues that schizophrenia’s manifestation and treatment must account for cultural context. A case study of an Indian woman shows that a culturally‑informed interview combined religious practices with psychotherapy, leading to functional recovery. Systematic reviews confirm that symptom content,...
The Guardian profiles Ukraine’s first psychological trauma centre, Forest Glade, where soldiers like 25‑year‑old Kyrylo Chuvak undergo intensive three‑week rehabilitation after years of Russian captivity. The programme blends conventional therapy with unconventional activities such as tango, archery and guided breathing to...
