The Financial Times has launched Untold: The Retreat, a new investigative podcast series that scrutinises a popular network of intensive meditation retreats attended by thousands of people globally.

Led by the FT’s special investigations team, Untold: The Retreat explores the psychological and potentially harmful impact of this intensive meditation on people who attend retreats around the world. This network of retreats — which focus on a type of meditation known as Vipassana — has boomed in popularity since it was founded in the 1970s by Burmese businessman S.N. Goenka. 

Hosted by special investigations editor Madison Marriage, the four-part series uncovers real stories of victims and their family members who have been deeply affected by the practices offered by the Goenka network. The podcast highlights some of the hidden risks for individuals seeking self-improvement or spiritual awakening through the meditation practice imparted at these retreats. It also calls on the retreat providers to give more information to participants on the potential risks.

Marriage said, “People are drawn to meditation for self-improvement or to ease stress and anxiety. Yet through our investigation, we uncovered countless examples that this form of intensive meditation caused people serious psychological harm. Most members of the public have no idea that there are any potential downsides to meditation. This clearly needs to be addressed.

“More troubling is the fact that this very popular network of meditation retreats has been aware of at least one suicide linked to it since 2017, as well as numerous cases of severe psychological problems, but neither the programme or the safety measures have been updated. Why not? These are just a few of the questions we sought to answer during our 12-month investigation.”

Untold: The Retreat is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. 

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For more information please contact: Rhonda.Taylor@ft.com

About the Financial Times

The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading business news organisations, recognised internationally for its authority, integrity and accuracy. The FT has a record paying readership of 1.2 million, more than one million of which are digital subscriptions. It is part of Nikkei Inc., which provides a broad range of information, news and services for the global business community.