Can Mindfulness cause derealisation?

[YodaHan]

Hi all,

Due to anxiety I started practicing Mindfulness in March using the Headspace app. I had been using it every single day for 2 months when suddenly during meditation I experienced, what I now think after some research, was 'derealisation'. It is the most scary experience I have ever had and it lasted on and off for weeks. I still sometimes get little episodes but thankfully only last for a few minutes at a time. Ever since I have been too scared to mediate which is a shame because I was feeling so positive about it. Recently though I have been wondering if anxiety caused it and not mindfulness. Does anyone know if mindfulness can cause derealisation?

Thanks

[alexcr87]

Hi YodaHan,

Would you please describe more precisely what you mean by "derealisation"? I know it's a term used in psychology but it would be helpful to have it described in your own words. For now the most I can say is that personally I sometimes experience unpleasant effects while meditating. For instance, when I close my eyes I am sometimes dizzy and have to open them for it to stop. Visually I have the feeling everything's making circles and I'm going to fall or something if I don't open my eyes.

Take care,
Alex

[JonW]

'Does anyone know if mindfulness can cause derealisation?'

I've never come across it my own teaching but I have heard about it.
There would appear to be a thin line between an alienated feeling of 'derealisation' and an experience of non-dual 'awakening'.
I would recommend that you seek out the works of writer such as Jeff Foster and Tony Parsons (not the novelist, the non-duality writer) to help contextualise the experience.
Best wishes,
Jon