Can You Be Too Self-Aware? Turns Out, There’s A Dark Side To Mindfulness

From ancient religions and natal charts to crystal singing bowls and app-guided meditation, humanity has always sought ways to soothe internal chaos. But these methods may rest on a comforting assumption: that distress can be cured instantly.

Mindfulness is often presented as a packaged “cure-all for modern ailments,” as management professor Ron Purser, author of McMindfulness, puts it. He argues that a practice promising to reduce stress and fix our broken lives may be one reason we ignore the systemic causes of our pain.

Nobody can deny that mindfulness has benefits. Researchers routinely link it to lower stress and personal growth. But it also has a darker side that isn’t often spoken about, one that can bring anxiety, panic, dissociation, and even paranoia.

So what happens when a healthy habit turns into a rigid obsession? When does “taking a moment” become too much? And when does it actually start affecting your ability to live your life? Apparently, it may not take long.