The simple practice of meditation can improve your relationships; reduce stress, worry and anxiety and even improve your productivity, performance and focus at work. Unfortunately, however, many potential students are often deterred from starting their own meditation practice by a few widely-held misconceptions about meditation that are simply not true! In this post I'm going to set the record straight about just how simple meditation really is, once and for all
Misconception 1: "I Tried It Once And It Didn't Work"
This misconception is akin to trying to ride a bike for the very first time and then giving up after falling off - meditation requires consistency and practice (that's why it is often referred to as a practice). If you are hoping to experience deep states of inner peace, relaxation or bliss the very first time you sit down to meditate then you may be disappointed by your unrealistic expectations. These states can definitely be experienced in meditation, but not usually on the very first day!
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 The 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"
Sure, it would be lovely to be able to meditate in a Zen garden, on a mountain-top or on a tropical beach. But it's really not necessary - all you need is somewhere reasonably quiet where you can sit upright 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 tranquil venue 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"
This misconception is akin to trying to ride a bike for the very first time and then giving up after falling off - meditation requires consistency and practice (that's why it is often referred to as a practice). If you are hoping to experience deep states of inner peace, relaxation or bliss the very first time you sit down to meditate then you may be disappointed by your unrealistic expectations. These states can definitely be experienced in meditation, but not usually on the very first day!
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 The 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"
Sure, it would be lovely to be able to meditate in a Zen garden, on a mountain-top or on a tropical beach. But it's really not necessary - all you need is somewhere reasonably quiet where you can sit upright 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 tranquil venue 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 specialising in stress, anxiety and depression. For extra information on meditation check out her Youtube video How To Meditate or visit her website at http://www.ashimaliving.com/
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