"Tragic Consequences: Americans Driven to Psychosis and Suicide After 11-Day Meditation Retreat"

Experts warn of the serious mental health risks associated with intense meditation following the suicides of two Americans and one Canadian who attended a popular 10-day Vipassana retreat. The retreats, which involve sitting in silence for up to 11 hours per day, have been linked to cases of psychosis, hallucinations, and severe mental illness in vulnerable individuals. Critics accuse the centers of exhibiting irresponsible behavior, while some attendees describe the experience as akin to a voluntary prison sentence. Despite the potential benefits of meditation, such as easing mental health problems, experts caution that being left alone with one's thoughts for extended periods can trigger severe mental illness in a small number of people who are vulnerable.