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Exploring Extremism, Morality, and Meditation Practices
Extremism often associates with holiness, contrasting the belief that morality is about moderation and finding a middle path. Extremism appeals to people due to its ability to avoid inner conflicts, which are challenging. Meditation practices reveal that developing concentration on an imaginary object brings peace and calmness, but can lead to detachment from reality, allowing individuals to justify extreme actions. In contrast, focusing on observing a real object, like the breath, is challenging as it melts the ego and sense of control, making people opt for the easier, yet dangerous path of focusing on imaginary objects. This practice can lead individuals to commit terrible acts while truly believing they are good people, as it generates a pleasant feeling in their bodies.