Mindfulness Meditation: Another Look

"Mindfulness meditation is primed to save all of us from anxiety and depression, it would seem. It’s also big business: in 2015, this growing industry made nearly USD 1 billion. The money comes from speaking engagements, workshops, books, as well as apps meant to guide you through the process. The popular Headspace app claims 70 million downloads; the #1 meditation app, Calm, over 150 million! Given the state of our world, the number of people seeking some relief from everyday stress shouldn’t be surprising.

"But does it work? Mindfulness meditation has been the subject of increasing scrutiny by scientists. We have seen an exponential growth in the number of studies published about it, and 2023 alone saw the publication of a considerable number of studies of studies on mindfulness, attempts at summarizing what we have learned so far on how mindfulness might help with anxiety, depression, ADHD, pain, sleep, and cognition, in all age groups.

"On the surface, it all looks promising. Beneath it, however, we find so many problems that the best conclusion I can come to is that something is better than nothing."

Click on the link below to see the flaw in research on the subject:

Mindfulness Meditation Often Fails the Scientific Test

Looking At Yourself In The Third Person

If you are like me, you tend to ruminate over negative thoughts. Science shows that such thinking only makes your well-being worse. Following are some links supporting the concept of habitually looking at yourself objectively when confronted with a person, idea, or situation that evokes negative emotions:

Speaking to Yourself in the Third Person Makes You Wiser

To De-stress, Talk to Yourself in the Third Person

Sam Harris and Mindfulness

This strategy can also be helpful after a religious person turns away from such, in conjunction with formal therapy perhaps (link).