Health Warning
Mindfulness and meditation can be enormously beneficial for our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. However, often they need to be adjusted and tailored to the situation and the individual and there is no one size that fits all. In addition, just as any powerful healing approach can have side effects and contraindications, so too can mindfulness and meditation. Regardless of whether a practitioner is new to meditation or is experienced, sometimes mindfulness and meditation can trigger untoward side effects. They have the power to uncover what we may prefer to forget or stir up unwanted reactions. Please take care of yourself. There will be suggestions for how to take care of oneself throughout this series on burnout. However, please do not use the meditation instructions or the suggestions as a substitute for personal therapy. If you feel you are experiencing any negative side effects from meditation, please stop or reduce the practice you are doing, and don’t hesitate to speak to an experienced meditator or mental health professional. If you have a history of mental health vulnerability, it is strongly recommended that you consult with a mental health professional before engaging with the practices. Regardless of whether one is a beginner meditator or one is experienced it is always helpful to have the support of teachers or mentors as we venture on the journey of cultivating serenity, insight, and the heart to work with burnout.