|
|
Kornfield (1993), a
psychologist and experienced meditation teacher, described what
he termed a spiritual emergency that took place at an intensive
meditation retreat he was leading.
An "overzealous young karate student" decided
to meditate and not move for a full day and night. When he
got up, he was filled with explosive energy. He strode into
the middle of the dining hall filled with 100 silent retreatants
and began to yell and practice his karate maneuvers at triple
speed. Then he screamed, "When I look at each of you,
I see behind you a whole trail of bodies showing your past
lives." As an experienced meditation teacher, Kornfield
recognized that the symptoms were related to the meditation
practice rather than signs of a manic episode (for which
they also meet all the diagnostic criteria except duration).
The meditation community handled the situation by stopping
his meditation practice and starting him jogging, ten miles
in the morning and afternoon. His diet was changed to include
red meat, which is thought to have a grounding effect. They
got him to take frequent hot baths and showers, and to dig
in the garden. One person was with him all the time. After
three days, he was able to sleep again and was allowed to
started meditating again, slowly and carefully. (adapted
from A
Path With Heart: A Guide Through the Perils and Promises
of Spiritual Life by Jack Kornfield pp. 131-132)
<< Back to Case Library |
