Research on Adverse Effects of Practices/Paths
​Involving Loss or Radically Altered Sense of Self

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, contemporary non-dual ego deconstruction teachings, particularly de-contextualized direct pointing-out methods, which are the most powerful and extreme of Eastern spiritual importations, has evaded the same thoughtful attention. The discovery of adverse effects in mindfulness meditation makes it clear how urgently we need to put the same effort towards understanding those of self-negating non-dual practices intended to abruptly shatter/erase ones' individual sense of self. While there are overlaps with meditation, the "direct path" techniques for ego eradication are the most potent, advanced level Eastern practices, representing a uniquely risky 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 need for balanced education and fully informed decisions.

​​Losing Oneself: Persistent Nonduality, Depersonalization, Dissociation, Mental Health, and Memory -Elizabeth Stephens (CIIS)
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Complexities and Challenges of Nonduality -Elizabeth Stephens (CIIS)

Buddhist Teachers' Experience with Extreme with Extreme Mental States in Western Meditators

​Meditation Sickness - Buddhism's Biggest Open Secret- Wendy Agsar

How Mindful Awareness Practice can Remove our Agency and How We can Reclaim It - Dan Gilner
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Inherent Dangers in Non-Dual "Direct Paths" Recorded, Safeguarded, and Warned About In Their Traditions - Jessica Eve
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Research by  Willoughby B. Britton, et. al. (Cheetah House Team)
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Roles & Impact of Worldviews in Meditation-Related Challenges
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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
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Somatic Energies and Emotional Traumas: Practice-Related Challenges Reported by Vajrayāna Buddhists

​​On Adverse Effects of Psychedelics & Ethical Protocols
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Since the identity shattering that happens in de-contextualized self-negating non-duality  is equally seismic, it needs the same consideration of set and setting,  i.e. safeguarding the teachings/methods 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
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Ayahuasca Is My Therapist (Or is it?)  - Sean O'Carroll
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Research by  Willoughby B. Britton, et. al. (Cheetah House Team)
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