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by reagle 2031 days ago
I wrote about this here https://hackinglife.mitpress.mit.edu/pub/94tu3rlx/release/2
1 comments

* Regarding "life-hacking": "In an effort to keep up with a world of too much, life hackers sometimes risk going too far" [1]

* Regarding "meditation": "The Varieties of Contemplative Experience Study catalogued 59 different types of meditation-related experiences that can be distressing or associated with impairment in functioning." ... " As many as 1 in 4 meditators reports negative or unwanted effects from meditation" [2]

* There are "significantly higher mortality rate among people who regularly sit for prolonged periods" and "long term complications of prolonged standing" [3]. What's left for us? Floating? :-)

I guess my point is that for each piece of "life-improving" advice there's a counter ... I don't really have much of silver lining to offer :-/. I guess we are all different and need to find through time, enormous effort and trial and error, the sweet spot of a routine that works for us.

1: https://hackinglife.mitpress.mit.edu/

2: https://www.cheetahhouse.org/faq

3: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standing_desk#Effect_on_health

> There are "significantly higher mortality rate among people who regularly sit for prolonged periods" and "long term complications of prolonged standing" [3]. What's left for us? Floating? :-)

Alternating could be the answer :) I have a DIY treadmill desk, and I try to walk for at least an hour every work day, while working. Usually I get to 1.5 hours, in 2-3 sessions. It's been great - I sleep much better than when I don't walk, and it's easier for me to keep my weight in check. I've been doing it for 3 years now. I know this isn't possible for everyone, but it was easy to setup and, in the scheme of things, some of the best money I've spent.

>"There are "significantly higher mortality rate among people who regularly sit for prolonged periods" and "long term complications of prolonged standing" [3]. What's left for us? Floating? :-)"

Walking. We are made for walking.

Your [2] link is from a site that offers paid consultations for meditators in distress.. do you have a source from a site that doesn't stand to profit from those statements?
I don't think they are for profit, if they provide a therapy service then it makes sense that they would charge for it though (as any other therapist would do).

I remember hearing about adverse effects of meditation in podcasts and blog posts and, perhaps some audio book? Can't remember. There are links to a few studies in all mighty wikipedia too [1], I'm sure you can find sources.

From hearing the pros and the cons I suspect many forms of meditation are healthy, and it can be unhealthy in the same way some forms of exercise can be unhealthy [2].

1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditation#Potential_adverse_e...

2: https://www.google.com/search?q=%22exercise%20overdose%22

Thank you