I've always felt and stated that the best way to learn meditation is from a teacher and being in his or her physical presence. As a result I've completely avoided "virtual" meditation sessions or the use of apps. Now, a study published recently in the journal Psychotherapy Research reveals that using meditation apps leads to "adverse" effects such as increased anxiety, traumatic re-imaging and emotional sensitivity. Study authors refer to this as "functional impairment" resulting from the use of meditation apps.
A related issue they identified was that being first exposed to meditation via an app—what the authors call a “predominately unguided format”—is a predictor of developing adverse effects, as meditation is practiced alone and likely without the support of a meditation teacher.
A related issue they identified was that being first exposed to meditation via an app—what the authors call a “predominately unguided format”—is a predictor of developing adverse effects, as meditation is practiced alone and likely without the support of a meditation teacher.
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