What are the most dangerous types of meditation?

Meditation is generally considered a safe practice with numerous mental and physical health benefits. However, like any practice, it can have risks or negative effects if not done properly or if the individual has certain underlying conditions. Some types of meditation or related practices may carry more potential risks, especially for certain individuals. Here are a few considerations:

1. Kundalini Meditation: This form of meditation focuses on awakening the kundalini energy at the base of the spine. If not done under proper guidance, it can lead to intense physical and emotional experiences that some may find overwhelming or disturbing.

2. Dark Night of the Soul (Advanced Vipassana or Insight Meditation): Deep meditation practices can sometimes bring up repressed emotions or traumas, leading to what is sometimes called the "Dark Night of the Soul." This can result in periods of intense emotional or psychological distress.

3. Hyperventilation Practices (e.g., Certain Pranayama Techniques): Some pranayama or breathing techniques involve rapid breathing or hyperventilation, which can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or even panic attacks in some individuals.

4. Isolation or Intensive Silent Retreats: Extended periods of meditation, especially in isolation or silence (like in long Vipassana retreats), can sometimes exacerbate pre-existing mental health issues or lead to new challenges, such as dissociation or disorientation.

5. Trance-like Meditations (e.g., Some Forms of Shamanic or Visionary Practices): These practices can induce altered states of consciousness that might be unsettling or difficult to integrate into everyday life.

6. Psychedelic-Assisted Meditation: While not traditional meditation, some practices involve the use of psychedelics to enhance meditation. These can have unpredictable effects, including intense psychological experiences that may not be safe for everyone.

• Samatha

  Also known as calm abiding, this Buddhist practice involves focusing on breathing to calm the mind. The calmed mind can then investigate reality by monitoring experience, reflective investigation, or by focusing awareness on itself.
• Vipassana

  Also known as insight, this Buddhist practice involves monitoring experience, reflective investigation, or by focusing awareness on itself.
• Bhāva samādhi

  This is a state of ecstatic consciousness that can be a spontaneous experience, but is generally believed to be the result of long periods of devotional practices. Some groups believe it can be evoked by the presence of "higher being