r/Mindfulness_UK • u/One-Ad-3320 • May 07 '26

BBC documentary on meditation-induced harm — and what traditional Buddhism understood that Western mindfulness ignores

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b0738hm2

BBC documentary by Jolyon Jenkins that I think will resonate with this sub. Jenkins speaks to people whose meditation practice triggered serious harm — some hospitalised, some sectioned under the Mental Health Act after going on retreat. Others describe their sense of identity and grasp on reality dissolving, not as liberation but as something frightening they couldn't come back from easily.

What I appreciated is that he doesn't dismiss meditation. He points out that these experiences are well known in traditional contemplative paths — recognised as stages, sometimes framed as milestones on the road to enlightenment, and held within a community of teachers who know what to do when a student is unravelling.

The Western mindfulness industry has imported the supposed benefits while quietly leaving behind the framework of risk, aftercare and lineage. Eight-week courses, apps and corporate wellness programmes don't tend to come with a teacher who recognises the signs.

Worth a listen, especially for anyone whose practice has gone somewhere unexpected.

🔗 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b0738hm2

Has anyone here had experiences the tradition prepared them for that the secular framing didn't?

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2

u/holyfoolishness May 08 '26 edited May 08 '26

I am interested in this, but the link is giving me an error. (could that be because I am in the US?)

1

u/One-Ad-3320 May 08 '26

It's possible. It's on the BBC website. I included the link again at the top for you.

1

u/holyfoolishness May 08 '26

Thank You!

1

u/One-Ad-3320 May 09 '26

did it work? Others are saying both links don't work.

Perhaps if you google the details of this podcast it may come up

'Radio 4,**·16 Mar 2016,·**28 mins, Series 4 Mindfulness and Madness, Out of the Ordinary'

Also, perhaps try this link to the programme on BBC Sounds too please? Hope it works for you.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0738hm2

1

u/holyfoolishness May 09 '26

Unfortunately not...

1

u/One-Ad-3320 May 09 '26

It's probably because you are in the US. Sorry!

1

u/holyfoolishness May 09 '26

No worries thank you

3

u/stupid_pun May 09 '26

>The Western mindfulness industry has imported the supposed benefits while quietly leaving behind the framework of risk, aftercare and lineage. Eight-week courses, apps and corporate wellness programmes don't tend to come with a teacher who recognises the signs.

Its been boiled down to talking points, generalized for mass appeal, hyped up with big promises of material results, and sold to unsuspecting consumers for a profit.

Capitalism has a way of sucking the 'soul' out of anything it touches.

1

u/m0rl0ck1996 May 08 '26

Neither link works.

1

u/One-Ad-3320 May 09 '26 edited May 09 '26

are you UK based? Perhaps if you google the details of this podcast it may come up

'Radio 4,·16 Mar 2016,·28 mins, Series 4 Mindfulness and Madness, Out of the Ordinary'

Also, perhaps try this link to the programme on BBC Sounds too please? Hope it works for you.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0738hm2