Intentionally causing yourself suffering is an inherently violent activity and shouldn't be taken lightly (if it should ever be done at all.) Even without goin

Intentionally causing yourself suffering is an inherently violent activity and shouldn't be taken lightly (if it should ever be done at all.) Even without going through a psychotic episode you could still be doing internal damage. It's like lifting weights, with time you learn the difference between the pain that comes with growth and the pain that comes with injury. If you haven't lifted for long enough to know the difference then you shouldn't be "maxing out" because the risk of injury is so high. By the same token if you haven't been meditating long enough to know the difference between when you're being a cry-baby and when you really need to go take care of yourself you might not want to go to an extreme meditation retreat.