Meditation Myths – #1

1. Meditation is different from Mindfulness

The words are used interchangeably.  Both work to achieve the same effect in almost identical ways. Mindfulness as a word has gained in popularity to try and escape some of the myths about meditation.

Meditation Myths – #2

2. You dont have enough time

In the same way you dont have enough time to brush your teeth. This is 5-20 minutes. It can be done while you are commuting, brushing your teeth, eating, walking. It can be done at your work desk because no one will know you are doing it.

Meditation Myths – #3

3. Meditation is a religious activity

Its up to you. Meditation is a tool for you to use however you like. The US Marine Corps uses meditation. They are not religious. Buddhism uses meditation and has specific techniques. You do not have to use those techniques. You can choose your reason for meditating. You can choose your style. A significant effort has been made study meditation and its effects scientifically. It has proven effective is a huge range of contexts and using a wide range of techniques.

Meditation Myths – #4

4. You need to be spiritual to meditate

Wrong. You have to be human to meditate. Meditation is a tool for you to use however you like

Meditation Myths – #5

5. Meditation is boring

It can be. We have done our best to take the boredom out of it. Guided meditation is much easier and is a good place to start to develop skills.

Learning to meditate by sitting still and focusing on your breath for 20 minutes is ridiculously hard and is the reason most people give up.

There is no advantage of one method over another except for what works for you – a unique individual.

 

Meditation Myths – #6

6. Guided Meditation is an inferior type of Meditation

During meditation you will bring focus,

you will let go the stories of the mind,

you will be fully present in the experience,

you will find tranquility and obtain insight.

You can achieve this using a large variety of meditation techniques. The best technique is the one that works for you.

 

Meditation Myths – #7

7. It takes years to get any benefit

Wrong! In fact, meditation has immediate benefits and research shows that meditation brings great physical and mental health benefits after even as little as 8 weeks of practice.

Meditation Myths – #8

8. I need a master to meditate

In order to enjoy the benefits of health improvement and relaxation brought on by meditation, one does not need a master. Learning from a book, a workshop, or a video is enough to provide you with the tools needed for such benefits. However, if you are looking to divulge deeper within the practice then surely a teacher could be beneficial, but it is not a requirement.

 

Meditation Myths – #9

9. I’m too inattentive and I can’t sit still that long, so I can’t meditate.

As with any new endeavor at first you might find it hard to sit still or keep the mind focused by you will quickly learn to calm the mind and body. Cultivating a mindfulness practice through meditation while using your breath will allow you to learn to sit and be still.

 

Meditation Myths – #10

10. I can’t meditate because I think too much.

Everyone thinks too much. Practicing meditation can help anyone who is willing and those who “think too much” may receive much greater.