Spiritual Emergency & Dark Nights of the Soul
Spiritual Emergency: When Personal Transformation Becomes a Crisis - Stanislov & Christina Grof
In Case of Spiritual Emergency - Catherine G. Lucas
Dark Night of the Soul - A Journey from Absence to Presence - Fiona Robertson
The Spiritual Awakening Guide - Kundalini, Psychic Abilities, and the Conditioned Layers of Reality - Mary Mueller Shutan
Meditation Sickness - Buddhism's Biggest Open Secret- Wendy Agsar
The Dangerous Art of Depersonalization - What psychedelics, psychosis, and mindfulness can teach us about no-self, and why set and setting play such an important role in ego deconstruction - Alex Tzelnic
The Dangers of Nondual Ego Dissolution Methods are Widely Warned About in Their Eastern Traditions
In Case of Spiritual Emergency - Catherine G. Lucas
Dark Night of the Soul - A Journey from Absence to Presence - Fiona Robertson
The Spiritual Awakening Guide - Kundalini, Psychic Abilities, and the Conditioned Layers of Reality - Mary Mueller Shutan
Meditation Sickness - Buddhism's Biggest Open Secret- Wendy Agsar
The Dangerous Art of Depersonalization - What psychedelics, psychosis, and mindfulness can teach us about no-self, and why set and setting play such an important role in ego deconstruction - Alex Tzelnic
The Dangers of Nondual Ego Dissolution Methods are Widely Warned About in Their Eastern Traditions
Spiritual Bypassing
Spiritual Bypassing: When Spirituality Disconnects us from What Really Matters - Robert Augustus Masters
Nothing is Hidden: The Psychology of Zen Koans - Barry Magid
Desire & Attachment - Chapter Excerpt from Nothing is Hidden - The Psychology of Zen Koans - Barry Magid
Psychological Work in the Service of Spiritual Transformation - John Welwood
Spiritual Bypassing, Relationship and Dharma - John Welwood
Relationship as a Spiritual Crucible - John Welwood
Intimate Relationship as a Transformative Path - John Welwood
Growing Up and Waking Up - John Welwood
Nothing is Hidden: The Psychology of Zen Koans - Barry Magid
Desire & Attachment - Chapter Excerpt from Nothing is Hidden - The Psychology of Zen Koans - Barry Magid
Psychological Work in the Service of Spiritual Transformation - John Welwood
Spiritual Bypassing, Relationship and Dharma - John Welwood
Relationship as a Spiritual Crucible - John Welwood
Intimate Relationship as a Transformative Path - John Welwood
Growing Up and Waking Up - John Welwood
After Bypassing, The Healing
Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself - Kristin Neff PhD
Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving - Pete Walker
The Tao of Fully Feeling: Harvesting Forgiveness Out of Blame - Pete Walker
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body In the Healing of Trauma - Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.
The Polyvagal Theory - The Transformative Power of Feeling Safe - Stephen W. Porges
Waking the Tiger - Healing Trauma - Peter A. Levine
A Healing Space: Befriending Ourselves in Troubled Times - Matt Licata PhD
The Wild Edge of Grief: Rituals, Renewals and the Sacred Work of Grief - Francis Weller
Bringing Your Shadow Out of The Dark: Breaking Free From the Hidden Forces That Drive You - Robert Augustus Masters
No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model - Richard Schwartz Ph.D
It Didn't Start With You - How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are And How to End the Cycle - Mark Wolyn
Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving - Pete Walker
The Tao of Fully Feeling: Harvesting Forgiveness Out of Blame - Pete Walker
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body In the Healing of Trauma - Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.
The Polyvagal Theory - The Transformative Power of Feeling Safe - Stephen W. Porges
Waking the Tiger - Healing Trauma - Peter A. Levine
A Healing Space: Befriending Ourselves in Troubled Times - Matt Licata PhD
The Wild Edge of Grief: Rituals, Renewals and the Sacred Work of Grief - Francis Weller
Bringing Your Shadow Out of The Dark: Breaking Free From the Hidden Forces That Drive You - Robert Augustus Masters
No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model - Richard Schwartz Ph.D
It Didn't Start With You - How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are And How to End the Cycle - Mark Wolyn
Constructively Deconstructing Either/or Non-duality
Neo-Advaita or Pseudo Advaita vs. Traditional Advaita - Timothy Conway
10 Less-than-wholesome Aspects of Neo (Pseudo) Advaita - Timothy Conway
Oneness, Enlightenment and the Mystical Experience - Chapter from The Guru Papers: Masks of Authoritarian Powers
What Makes Neo-Advaita Cult-Like? - Timothy Conway
When Non-dual Teachings Are Not Non-dual - Full Chapter from Spiritual Bypassing by Robert Augustus Masters
On Neo-Advaita - Jeff Foster
Neo-Advaita De-Mystified: A Critique - Shawn Nevins
The Numinous Narcotic that Nearly Destroyed My Life - Tom Huston
How Neo-Advaita Emulates Messages of Narcissistic Caregivers - Michael Lydon
Monism and Dualism Contain Eachother - David Chapman
The Dualism of Non-Dualism: Advaita Vedanta and the Irrelevance of Nature - Lance E. Nelson
Complexities and Challenges of Nonduality -Elizabeth Stephens, California Institute of Integral Studies
Losing Oneself: Persistent Nonduality, Depersonalization, Dissociation, Mental Health, and Memory -Elizabeth Stephens (CIIS)
Beyond Essence: A New Path to Awakening - Essay by Jason Shulman
When Non-dual Teachings Are Not Non-dual Chapter from Spiritual Bypassing by Robert Augustus Masters
A Constructive Critique of Non-dual Spiritual Teachings Chapter from The Presence of the Infinite by Steve Mcintosh
Self-ishly Losing Oneself - Chapter from What's it All About? Philosophy and the Meaning of Life by Julian Baggini
The Healthy Ego is Beautiful / Patriarchal Spirituality - Jeff Brown
Chapter on the limitations of "Be Here Now" - The Passionate Mind Revisited by Diana Alstad & Joel Kramer
Cutting the Knot of the World Problem: Sri Aurobindo’s Experiential and Philosophical Critique of Advaita Vedānta - Swami Medhananda
Is Advaita Just Loving Nihilism? — Nonduality, Science and Meaninglessness - Anonymous, Reality Maps
The Perennial Philosophy Re-visited - Jorge Ferrer, Essay
Changing Fast and Slow - Notes on Sam Harris, Meditation, Spiritual Impatience - Matthew Remski
Re-visioning the idealized view of how spiritual beings deal with painful emotions - Excerpt from a Jason Shulman gathering
10 Less-than-wholesome Aspects of Neo (Pseudo) Advaita - Timothy Conway
Oneness, Enlightenment and the Mystical Experience - Chapter from The Guru Papers: Masks of Authoritarian Powers
What Makes Neo-Advaita Cult-Like? - Timothy Conway
When Non-dual Teachings Are Not Non-dual - Full Chapter from Spiritual Bypassing by Robert Augustus Masters
On Neo-Advaita - Jeff Foster
Neo-Advaita De-Mystified: A Critique - Shawn Nevins
The Numinous Narcotic that Nearly Destroyed My Life - Tom Huston
How Neo-Advaita Emulates Messages of Narcissistic Caregivers - Michael Lydon
Monism and Dualism Contain Eachother - David Chapman
The Dualism of Non-Dualism: Advaita Vedanta and the Irrelevance of Nature - Lance E. Nelson
Complexities and Challenges of Nonduality -Elizabeth Stephens, California Institute of Integral Studies
Losing Oneself: Persistent Nonduality, Depersonalization, Dissociation, Mental Health, and Memory -Elizabeth Stephens (CIIS)
Beyond Essence: A New Path to Awakening - Essay by Jason Shulman
When Non-dual Teachings Are Not Non-dual Chapter from Spiritual Bypassing by Robert Augustus Masters
A Constructive Critique of Non-dual Spiritual Teachings Chapter from The Presence of the Infinite by Steve Mcintosh
Self-ishly Losing Oneself - Chapter from What's it All About? Philosophy and the Meaning of Life by Julian Baggini
The Healthy Ego is Beautiful / Patriarchal Spirituality - Jeff Brown
Chapter on the limitations of "Be Here Now" - The Passionate Mind Revisited by Diana Alstad & Joel Kramer
Cutting the Knot of the World Problem: Sri Aurobindo’s Experiential and Philosophical Critique of Advaita Vedānta - Swami Medhananda
Is Advaita Just Loving Nihilism? — Nonduality, Science and Meaninglessness - Anonymous, Reality Maps
The Perennial Philosophy Re-visited - Jorge Ferrer, Essay
Changing Fast and Slow - Notes on Sam Harris, Meditation, Spiritual Impatience - Matthew Remski
Re-visioning the idealized view of how spiritual beings deal with painful emotions - Excerpt from a Jason Shulman gathering
Journeying to the Both/And - Uniduality
Beyond the Now - Essays on the Heart of Enlightenment - Jason Shulman
"Beyond Essence" full Essay from the Above
Soul Story - Evolution and the Purpose of Life - Tim Freke
The Passionate Mined Revisited - Diana Alsted and Joel Kramer
Instruction Manual for Receiving God - Jason Shulman
The Nondual Shaman - Jason Shulman
The Mystery Experience - Tim Freke
"Beyond Essence" full Essay from the Above
Soul Story - Evolution and the Purpose of Life - Tim Freke
The Passionate Mined Revisited - Diana Alsted and Joel Kramer
Instruction Manual for Receiving God - Jason Shulman
The Nondual Shaman - Jason Shulman
The Mystery Experience - Tim Freke
Presence of the Infinite: The Spiritual Experience of Truth, Beauty, and Goodness -Steve Mcintosh
"A Constructive Critique of Non-dual Spiritual Teachings"- Chapter Excerpt from the Above
Evolution's Purpose - Steve Mcintosh
Evolutionaries - Carter Phipps
The Life Divine - Sri Aurobindo
The Perennial Philosophy Re-visited - Jorge Ferrer, Essay
Introducing Ken Wilber: Concepts for an Evolving World - Lew Howard (accessible intro)
"A Constructive Critique of Non-dual Spiritual Teachings"- Chapter Excerpt from the Above
Evolution's Purpose - Steve Mcintosh
Evolutionaries - Carter Phipps
The Life Divine - Sri Aurobindo
The Perennial Philosophy Re-visited - Jorge Ferrer, Essay
Introducing Ken Wilber: Concepts for an Evolving World - Lew Howard (accessible intro)
Spiritual Abuse, Mind Control, Cult Dynamics & Guru-itus
On Bullshitting and Spiritual Claims - Matthew Remski
How Cults Trick You Into Believing - Taylor Markarian
The Guru Papers: Masks of Authoritarian Power - Joel Kramer & Diana Alstad
The Fallacy of Turning Subjective States Into Social Hierarchies & Why Spiritual Communities Turn Into Cults - Hanzi Freinacht
How to Protect Yourself From Mind-Control Techniques & Recruitment - Wistar Murray
On Psychological Dynamics of the Guru Phenomenon - Chapter excerpts The Guru Papers: Masks of Authoritarian Powers
Oneness, Enlightenment and the Mystical Experience - Chapter from The Guru Papers: Masks of Authoritarian Powers
On Psychological Dynamics of the Guru Phenomenon - Chapter excerpts The Guru Papers: Masks of Authoritarian Powers
An Example of Channeled Writing: A Course in Miracles- Chapter from The Guru Papers on the Authoritarisanism of Renunciate Paradigms
Why A Course in Miracles is not Good For You or Those You Love- Matthew Remski
What Makes Neo-Advaita Cult-Like? - Timothy Conway
In Defense of Judgment - Your Judgments have Value & Purpose - Karla Mclaren
Fallout-Recovering from Abuse in Tibetan Buddhism - Tahlia Newland
Is Enlightenment Compatible with Sex Scandals? - Scott Alexander
Medicine or Poison? When Buddhist Compassion Goes Too Far - Jessica Locke
Surviving Unconscious Emotional Abuse - Dr. Marryn Thomas
The Mental Weight of Unconscious Gaslighting
Struggling with Difficult Issues of Abuse in Tibetan Buddhism Blog
Stripping The Gurus-Sex, Violence, Abuse and Enlightenment - Geoffrey D. Falk
We May Be More Vulnerable When...
Byron Katie and "The Work" - Event Participant Reports -Discussion on Cult Education Forum
How Cults Trick You Into Believing - Taylor Markarian
The Guru Papers: Masks of Authoritarian Power - Joel Kramer & Diana Alstad
The Fallacy of Turning Subjective States Into Social Hierarchies & Why Spiritual Communities Turn Into Cults - Hanzi Freinacht
How to Protect Yourself From Mind-Control Techniques & Recruitment - Wistar Murray
On Psychological Dynamics of the Guru Phenomenon - Chapter excerpts The Guru Papers: Masks of Authoritarian Powers
Oneness, Enlightenment and the Mystical Experience - Chapter from The Guru Papers: Masks of Authoritarian Powers
On Psychological Dynamics of the Guru Phenomenon - Chapter excerpts The Guru Papers: Masks of Authoritarian Powers
An Example of Channeled Writing: A Course in Miracles- Chapter from The Guru Papers on the Authoritarisanism of Renunciate Paradigms
Why A Course in Miracles is not Good For You or Those You Love- Matthew Remski
What Makes Neo-Advaita Cult-Like? - Timothy Conway
In Defense of Judgment - Your Judgments have Value & Purpose - Karla Mclaren
Fallout-Recovering from Abuse in Tibetan Buddhism - Tahlia Newland
Is Enlightenment Compatible with Sex Scandals? - Scott Alexander
Medicine or Poison? When Buddhist Compassion Goes Too Far - Jessica Locke
Surviving Unconscious Emotional Abuse - Dr. Marryn Thomas
The Mental Weight of Unconscious Gaslighting
Struggling with Difficult Issues of Abuse in Tibetan Buddhism Blog
Stripping The Gurus-Sex, Violence, Abuse and Enlightenment - Geoffrey D. Falk
We May Be More Vulnerable When...
Byron Katie and "The Work" - Event Participant Reports -Discussion on Cult Education Forum
Pluralism vs. Spiritual Authoritarianism
On Spiritual Authoritarianism - John Heron excerpt
The Perennial Philosophy Re-visited - Jorge Ferrer, Essay
An Answer to the Question of Religious Pluralism - Chapter from Spiritual Knowing As Participatory Enaction - Gorge Ferrer
Beyond the Perennial Philosophy, Spiritual Narcissism and Religious Exclusivism - An Interview With Jorge Ferrer
Relational Spirituality, Paradise Unbound: Spiritual Narcissism in the “One Truth” of New Age Transpersonalism -Gregg Lahood
The Totalitarian Potential of New Age Spirituality -Hanzi Freinacht
Oneness, Enlightenment and the Mystical Experience - Chapter from The Guru Papers: Masks of Authoritarian Powers
New-Age Religion & Western Culture - Esotericism in the Mirror of Secular Thought - Wouter J. Hanegraaff
The Perennial Philosophy Re-visited - Jorge Ferrer, Essay
An Answer to the Question of Religious Pluralism - Chapter from Spiritual Knowing As Participatory Enaction - Gorge Ferrer
Beyond the Perennial Philosophy, Spiritual Narcissism and Religious Exclusivism - An Interview With Jorge Ferrer
Relational Spirituality, Paradise Unbound: Spiritual Narcissism in the “One Truth” of New Age Transpersonalism -Gregg Lahood
The Totalitarian Potential of New Age Spirituality -Hanzi Freinacht
Oneness, Enlightenment and the Mystical Experience - Chapter from The Guru Papers: Masks of Authoritarian Powers
New-Age Religion & Western Culture - Esotericism in the Mirror of Secular Thought - Wouter J. Hanegraaff
Research on Adverse Effects of Meditation & the Ethical Implications
While a great deal of research has gone into the adverse effects of mindfulness meditation, and many communities are taking pro-active safe-guarding measures, "instant enlightenment" - non-dual ego deconstruction teachings, which are by far the most powerful and extreme of Eastern spiritual importations, has evaded the same thoughtful scrutiny. The discovery of adverse effects in mindfulness meditation should make it clear how urgently we need to put the same effort towards understanding widely reported adverse effects of participating in/teaching non-dual practices intended to shatter one's foundational reality. While there are overlaps with meditation, given that "direct path" techniques are the most potent, advanced level Eastern practices, they represent a uniquely dangerous niche. Hopefully seeing the breadth of research on more mild forms of spiritual practices strengthens the urgent plea for researching this niche to help educate seekers and teachers about the risks of extreme harm, and hold non-dual teachers accountable for their role in safeguarding those under their influence.
Researchers Jared R. Lindahl, Roman Palitsky , David J. Cooper, Willoughby B. Britton:
Roles & Impact of Worldviews in Meditation-Related Challenges
The varieties of contemplative experience: A mixed-methods study of meditation-related challenges in Western Buddhists
Progress or Pathology? Differential Diagnosis & Intervention Criteria for Meditation-Related Challenges: Perspectives From Buddhist Meditation Teachers & Practitioners
I Have this Feeling of Not Really Being Here: Buddhist Meditation and Changes in Sense of Self
Buddhist Teachers' Experience with Extreme with Extreme Mental States in Western Meditators
Somatic Energies and Emotional Traumas: Practice-Related Challenges Reported by Vajrayāna Buddhists
Meditation Sickness - Buddhism's Biggest Open Secret- Wendy Agsar
Losing Oneself: Persistent Nonduality, Depersonalization, Dissociation, Mental Health, and Memory -Elizabeth Stephens (CIIS)
Complexities and Challenges of Nonduality -Elizabeth Stephens (CIIS)
Roles & Impact of Worldviews in Meditation-Related Challenges
The varieties of contemplative experience: A mixed-methods study of meditation-related challenges in Western Buddhists
Progress or Pathology? Differential Diagnosis & Intervention Criteria for Meditation-Related Challenges: Perspectives From Buddhist Meditation Teachers & Practitioners
I Have this Feeling of Not Really Being Here: Buddhist Meditation and Changes in Sense of Self
Buddhist Teachers' Experience with Extreme with Extreme Mental States in Western Meditators
Somatic Energies and Emotional Traumas: Practice-Related Challenges Reported by Vajrayāna Buddhists
Meditation Sickness - Buddhism's Biggest Open Secret- Wendy Agsar
Losing Oneself: Persistent Nonduality, Depersonalization, Dissociation, Mental Health, and Memory -Elizabeth Stephens (CIIS)
Complexities and Challenges of Nonduality -Elizabeth Stephens (CIIS)
On Adverse Effects of Psychedelics & Ethical Protocols
Since the identity shattering that happens through non-dual pointers is equally reality-altering, there is a compassionate plea for non-dual "direct path" teachings to be given the same consideration of set and setting, i.e. safeguarding them with similar ethical protocols followed by facilitators of psychedelic-induced ego death (including screening, preparation and integration). In the case of facilitating Ayahuasca ceremonies in the West, which also feature instant ego dissolution, we have a strong parallel to no-self teaching environs, seeing similar risks of taking something powerfully, and often permanently identity-altering out of its' traditional context/set & setting, and losing the safeguards embedded within them.
AYAHUASCA BEYOND THE AMAZON THE BENEFITS AND RISKS OF A SPREADING TRADITION - Stephen Trichter, Psy. D.
Psychedelics, Psychosis & Mindfulness Teach Us About No-self - Why Set/Setting Play Important Role in Ego Dissolution -- Alex Tzelnic
Towards Better Ayahuasca Practices - A Guide for Organizers and Participants - ICEERS Foundation
The Dark Side of Ayahuasca - Banyan Treatment Center
Ayahuasca Is My Therapist (Or is it?) - Sean O'Carroll
AYAHUASCA BEYOND THE AMAZON THE BENEFITS AND RISKS OF A SPREADING TRADITION - Stephen Trichter, Psy. D.
Psychedelics, Psychosis & Mindfulness Teach Us About No-self - Why Set/Setting Play Important Role in Ego Dissolution -- Alex Tzelnic
Towards Better Ayahuasca Practices - A Guide for Organizers and Participants - ICEERS Foundation
The Dark Side of Ayahuasca - Banyan Treatment Center
Ayahuasca Is My Therapist (Or is it?) - Sean O'Carroll
More Companions on Your Path
Rational Mysticism: Spirituality Meets Science in the Search for Enlightenment - John Horgan
The Buddha's Wife: The Path of Awakening Together -Janet Surrey and Samuel Shem
The Guru Papers: Masks of Authoritarian Power - Joel Kramer & Diana Alstad
Nothing is Hidden: The Psychology of Zen Koans - Barry Magid
Seven Thousand Ways to Listen: Staying Close to What is Sacred - Mark Nepo
The Jesus Mysteries - Tim Freke
Be Still and Get Going-Jewish Meditation Practice for Real Life - Alan Lew
When Buddhas Disassociate -A Psychological Perspective on the Origins of Great Perfection Buddhism (rDzogs Chen)
The Buddha's Wife: The Path of Awakening Together -Janet Surrey and Samuel Shem
The Guru Papers: Masks of Authoritarian Power - Joel Kramer & Diana Alstad
Nothing is Hidden: The Psychology of Zen Koans - Barry Magid
Seven Thousand Ways to Listen: Staying Close to What is Sacred - Mark Nepo
The Jesus Mysteries - Tim Freke
Be Still and Get Going-Jewish Meditation Practice for Real Life - Alan Lew
When Buddhas Disassociate -A Psychological Perspective on the Origins of Great Perfection Buddhism (rDzogs Chen)