Below are links to additional articles, blogs/websites, books, films and other resources to dig deeper
Articles
36 Arguments for the Existence of God, PDF, compilation of 36 of the classical arguments and rebuttal commentary
An Introduction to Science: Scientific Thinking and the Scientific Method, Schafersman, S., Dept of Geology Miami University, 1997. Web.
Has the science of mindfulness lost its mind? Frias M. and Wikholm, C., The British Journal of Psychiatry, Bulletin 2016 Dec; 40(6): 329–332.
Is Mindfulness Meditation Science-Based?, Novella, S., Science-based Medicine: Exploring issues and controversies in science and medicine
Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation, Perspectives on Psychological Science, 2018 Jan;13(1):36-61.
Blogs/Websites
Amazon Book Reviews by Skeptic Meditations – reviews of books read
Britton Lab – clinical neuroscience studies of meditation at Brown University
Cult Education Institute: SRF – information about the Self-Realization Fellowship
Dangers of Yoga – warnings and adverse effects of yoga and meditation
Down the Crooked Path – Issues in Buddhism, Yogic Traditions and other Various Paths
Dr. Arthur J. Deikman – psychiatrist’s pioneering studies on meditation practices
Freedom of Mind: SRF – information about groups that control members, SRF
Gold Scales: Yogananda Stuff Exposed – critiques of the guru and his teachings
Kriya Yoga Info – independent source of info on Kriya Yoga
Meditating in Safety – raising awareness of mental health issues in relation to meditation practice
Modern Yoga Research – information and scholarly research
Psychology of Belief: Miguel Farias – author, researcher on meditation practices
Rants within the Undead God – essays, philosophy, religion for outsiders
Recovery from Spiritual Abuse – resources via International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA)
Skeptic Meditations on Facebook – like and follow us on Facebook
SRF Blacklist – forum for former-members & doubters of SRF
Triangulations – playful, analytic explorations of Eastern religions and more
Yoga Critiques – critical, historical & secular perspectives for former seekers
Books
50 Popular Beliefs That People Think Are True, Harrison, G. New York. Prometheus Books. 2012. Print.
A History of Modern Yoga: Patanjali & Western Esotericism, De Michelis, E., Continuum, Paperback, 2005.
The Believing Brain: From Ghosts and Gods to Politics and Conspiracies- How We Construct Beliefs and Reinforce Them as Truths, Shermer, M. 2011. Print.
Biography of a Yogi: Paramahansa Yogananda and the Origins of Modern Yoga, Foxen, A., 2017. Oxford University Press. Print.
Cults: Opposing Viewpoints, Espejo, R. 2013. Print.
Good Without God: What a Billion Nonreligious People Do Believe, Epstein, G., Print.
The Skeptical Yogi: Yogananda’s Autobiography Under a Critical Microscope, Lane, David, C. Ph.D., 2019. Print.
Think: Why You Should Question Everything, Harrison, G., 2013. Print.
The “Yoga Sutra of Patanjali”: A Biography (Lives of Great Religious Books), White, D. G., Princeton University Press, 2014. Print.
Videos (see also movies below)
Burden of Proof. Makers of supernatural claims have an inescapable burden of proof.
Podcasts
The Critical Thinker Academy videos and podcasts. Exploring what it means to think critically and independently about the issues that matter most to you.
The Secular Buddhist Podcast, explores mindfulness meditation practices and resources from a secular (non-religious and non-supernatural view)
Movies
The Amish: Shunned. PBS: American Experience. 4 Feb 2014. Web Video.
Cult Witness (Cult Documentary). Real Stories. 2016. Sharing disturbing firsthand experiences of Cult Witness director Samuel Stefan and six others who have freed themselves from cults
Kumare, 2011, trailer, 2:05m, movie available on Netflix and DVD. True story of a false prophet who encourages followers to find the guru within.
The Mormons. PBS: American Experience: Frontline. 2007. Web Video.
The Nature of Existence, 2010, trailer, 2:05m, movie available on Netflix and DVD. Must see documentary of interviews with spiritual leaders, gurus, scientists, artists, and everyday people answering questions about why we exist.
Rajnesshpuram, Oregon Public Broadcasting. 2012. Web Video.
Associations, Communities, Support Groups
American Humanist Association, Advocating progressive values and equality for humanists, atheists, and freethinkers.
The Clergy Project, For current and former religious professionals without supernatural beliefs
Recovering from Religion, For people who have doubts and questions about changing or leaving faith: a hotline to call, support groups, and services for individuals.
reFOCUS, a support and referral organization for former members of high demand groups, relationships and cults
SRF Blacklist, online community forum for former-members & doubters of SRF
Hello there!
I just wanted to leave a comment to say thank you for the content you’ve placed on here (I haven’t viewed everything of course). But from what I have read, I particular appreciate your articles and resources in regard to the practice of meditation and its adverse effects. Although I haven’t myself came across any as such; being reasonably clued up on mental health myself I feel it very important for people to be aware of the potential dangers both for teachers and practioners.
A particular website posted in the Resources section of this site I have found interesting is: http://meditatinginsafety.org.uk/. Amongst information and personal accounts, the site also provides a leaflet for mental health awareness in regard to meditation and promotes mental health first aid (which, like everything else, has its criticisms which are equally worth taking into account: http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/mental-health-first-aid-theresa-may-depression-anxiety-nhs-underfunded-services-turned-away-a7842571.html).
I have on occasion visited this site when I’ve felt in need of a “devil’s advocate” and have found myself resolving to remain critically minded as much as possible. I very much welcome your open-mindedness and “as un-biased-as-can-be approach” to the subjects presented here. And yet, you have still put across your own personal story and experiences which I think equally important.
Many thanks, and keep up the good work!
Zach
@Zach: I appreciate your constructive feedback.
Thanks for sharing the link to the NHS-related article. I think you’ve identified a core problem, deeper than treating symptoms, is underfunded mental health.
You’ve raised some interesting questions we all ought to explore:
Treating symptoms doesn’t change our underlying problems. The source of our problems won’t go away without changing our systems, our ideologies, and our underlying assumptions and premises.
Nor will meditating, chanting Om, or watching the breath solve our problems. We’ve had more than two thousand years running the experiment. Meditation has failed every time, failed every culture, failed every group that claimed meditation was THE answer. Look at India, land of origin of meditation beliefs, it has some of the worst systemic problems caste system, abuse of women, violence against others, etc. The West and the U.S. has its problems too that won’t be solved by meditation practices.
Meditation may benefit some people, some of the time. That may be good to have various treatments for humanities ills. Meditation treatments, though, I don’t believe are a long term personal or societal solution to our own and the world’s problems.
Thank you
I happened to stumble on your site by accident and have now spent many hours with the content you’ve created and shared, and am left with one pressing question:
Now that a few additional years have clicked on the clock of life, have your original perspectives shifted, grown, changed, clarified, none/any-of-the above in reckoning with the 14 years you lived as a monastic? Has time ripened your insights significantly or considerably?
Clearly I sincerely hope, wish (and yep, even pray) at minimum you’ve experienced more peace– ever increasingly, that deep type we’re all searching for or out of the very imperfect existence of mortal life? It seemed you were still wrestling with sorting some mighty big questions when most of these posts were made.
Frankly I heartily applaud your efforts and consider the intensive, long, personal experiment and search for meaning as highly successful, even if it did perhaps go on a bit longer than optimal to achieve the awareness gained (that, for you, monastic life wasn’t the best choice or speediest route presently available, given your unique temperament and abilities.) All that matters is that you pursue the next path(s) encountered / presented with equal zeal and steadfastness!
I beg your indulgence for one last comment, which is that in general, I felt you tended to over-generalize and perhaps even presume that the personal outcomes you ultimately realized and expressed here, as being universally shared ones, as-every-mans-truths, that undergo the same or similar extended Spiritual Trainings / discipline you relate and described as your own.
Not to discredit your experiences in any way, but more to offer counterpoint: I have several (3) close friends (2 SRF and 1 other flavor) whose choice to heed a calling to traditional devotional / vocational service, that all relate an unshakable inner-knowing / faith they readily and truthfully hold testament to, that their lives could not be (have been) expressed any more fully or perfectly than through the commitments and choices made to offer themselves to Service and Devotion to God and all fellows.
Clearly such austere, comprehensive training and a monastic-life-choice isn’t for every man or woman, but thankfully Householders such as Lahiriji and many others offer further explanation and example to follow, (attempt to do my best traversing my individual razors edge.)
I just don’t want the dedicated, devoted monastics to get short-changed or besmirched, for successfully adhering to the highest ideals thinkable; I fully admit I wouldn’t be able to cut it, they’re brave and noble beings.
That said-Blessings to You and All
Scott, as a very recent SRF drop-out, I am very very grateful to have your website, writings, resources. It would be supremely nice to have a live chat :).