Meditation is a simple practice that has the potential to change your whole life - from the inside out. Science has proven the many benefits of meditation - from better mental health to happier relationships and improved work performance. Many potential new students are deterred, however, by a few persistent - but wholly untrue! - myths and misconception about meditation - so let's debunk them one by one.
Misconception 1: "I Tried It Once And It Didn't Work"
Maybe you have tried meditation once or twice before and felt disappointed with the results. It's not uncommon for newbies to embark on a new practice expecting immediate peace and bliss only to discover that their minds seem crazier than a bunch of monkeyson speed. This is a completely normal experience - the problem lies in making the assuming after this one experience that meditation simply doesn't work for you. Meditation is a practiceit's something that needs to be done consistently and it can take a while before you begin to experience some of the deeper states of meditation, so patience is crucial.
Misconception 2: "I Just Can't Stop My Thoughts"
One of the biggest meditation misconceptions out there is the erroneous belief that meditation should involve a perfectly blank mind with no thoughts at all. This belief causes many new meditators to start struggling against their thoughts or give up in resignation. Meditation does not require a state of no thinking, but simply to become aware of when the mind is distracted by thoughts and to refocus the awareness on the meditation object once moreagain and again.
Misconception 3: "I Don't Have Time To Meditate"
You don't have to sit on your meditation cushion for hours each day in order to experience its beneficial effects. Even just 5 to 20 minutes of meditation per day can be enough. The important thing is to practice often and to schedule time to meditate - we are all busy and we must selectively schedule in time for what is important, so it's simply a matter of making our own mental wellbeing a priority.
Misconception 4: "I Don't Have The Space To Meditate"
I know it would be wonderful to be able to meditate in an exotic monastery, on a mountain-top or on a serene beach. But it's not essential - all you need is somewhere fairly quiet where you can sit up straight comfortably for a few minutes without being disturbed. You can meditate sitting up in bed, on a chair or a couch or even on a bus or a train - don't let wanting a perfectly peaceful spot stop you from just doing it.
Misconception 5: "But I'm Not A Buddhist"
Meditation is not unique to Buddhism, though many forms of popular meditation techniques such as mindfulness meditation are loosely based on ancient Buddhist practices. Having said that though, you don't need to subscribe to any particular set of beliefs to meditate - meditation is for everyone regardless of whether you belong to another religion or are not religious at all. There are many excellent meditation trainings, classes and retreats held at Buddhist centres around the world, but most of them are open to the general public and are not specifically intended just for Buddhists.
Hopefully this article has busted some myths that may have been preventing you from starting your own meditation practice. Meditation is truly for everyone and with practice and consistency can change your life in many profound and unexpected ways.
Misconception 1: "I Tried It Once And It Didn't Work"
Maybe you have tried meditation once or twice before and felt disappointed with the results. It's not uncommon for newbies to embark on a new practice expecting immediate peace and bliss only to discover that their minds seem crazier than a bunch of monkeyson speed. This is a completely normal experience - the problem lies in making the assuming after this one experience that meditation simply doesn't work for you. Meditation is a practiceit's something that needs to be done consistently and it can take a while before you begin to experience some of the deeper states of meditation, so patience is crucial.
Misconception 2: "I Just Can't Stop My Thoughts"
One of the biggest meditation misconceptions out there is the erroneous belief that meditation should involve a perfectly blank mind with no thoughts at all. This belief causes many new meditators to start struggling against their thoughts or give up in resignation. Meditation does not require a state of no thinking, but simply to become aware of when the mind is distracted by thoughts and to refocus the awareness on the meditation object once moreagain and again.
Misconception 3: "I Don't Have Time To Meditate"
You don't have to sit on your meditation cushion for hours each day in order to experience its beneficial effects. Even just 5 to 20 minutes of meditation per day can be enough. The important thing is to practice often and to schedule time to meditate - we are all busy and we must selectively schedule in time for what is important, so it's simply a matter of making our own mental wellbeing a priority.
Misconception 4: "I Don't Have The Space To Meditate"
I know it would be wonderful to be able to meditate in an exotic monastery, on a mountain-top or on a serene beach. But it's not essential - all you need is somewhere fairly quiet where you can sit up straight comfortably for a few minutes without being disturbed. You can meditate sitting up in bed, on a chair or a couch or even on a bus or a train - don't let wanting a perfectly peaceful spot stop you from just doing it.
Misconception 5: "But I'm Not A Buddhist"
Meditation is not unique to Buddhism, though many forms of popular meditation techniques such as mindfulness meditation are loosely based on ancient Buddhist practices. Having said that though, you don't need to subscribe to any particular set of beliefs to meditate - meditation is for everyone regardless of whether you belong to another religion or are not religious at all. There are many excellent meditation trainings, classes and retreats held at Buddhist centres around the world, but most of them are open to the general public and are not specifically intended just for Buddhists.
Hopefully this article has busted some myths that may have been preventing you from starting your own meditation practice. Meditation is truly for everyone and with practice and consistency can change your life in many profound and unexpected ways.
About the Author:
Sharee James is a naturopath and a yoga and meditation teacher with a special interest in stress, anxiety and depression. For extra meditation resources check out her Youtube video How To Meditate or visit her site at http://www.ashimaliving.com/. Unique version for reprint here: Debunking The 5 Biggest Myths About Meditation.
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