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"
Perhaps you have tried meditation once in a yoga class, meditation workshop or even at home with a guided audio and were disappointed with the results. You were most likely expecting peace and bliss but instead felt like your mind was crazier than a bunch of monkeyson speed. This is a totally normal experience - the problem lies in making the assumption based on this one experience that meditation simply doesn't work for you. Meditation is a practiceit's something that needs to be done regularly and it can take time before you get more accomplished at quieting the mind.
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 need to sit on your meditation cushion for hours each day in order to experience its benefits. Even just dedicating 5 to 20 minutes of meditation per day can be life-changing. The keys is to practice regularly and to make time to meditate - we are all busier than ever these days and we must consciously schedule in time for our priorities, so it's simply a matter of making our own happiness and 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"
While many meditation techniques stem from Buddhist practices, meditation is a secular practice. All humans suffer from restless minds and times of stress or agitation, and meditation can benefit anyone - no matter what religion they belong to or even if they are not religious at all. There are, however, many excellent meditation classes and retreats held at Buddhist monasteries all over the world, and they are open to people from all denominations and walks of life.
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"
Perhaps you have tried meditation once in a yoga class, meditation workshop or even at home with a guided audio and were disappointed with the results. You were most likely expecting peace and bliss but instead felt like your mind was crazier than a bunch of monkeyson speed. This is a totally normal experience - the problem lies in making the assumption based on this one experience that meditation simply doesn't work for you. Meditation is a practiceit's something that needs to be done regularly and it can take time before you get more accomplished at quieting the mind.
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 need to sit on your meditation cushion for hours each day in order to experience its benefits. Even just dedicating 5 to 20 minutes of meditation per day can be life-changing. The keys is to practice regularly and to make time to meditate - we are all busier than ever these days and we must consciously schedule in time for our priorities, so it's simply a matter of making our own happiness and 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"
While many meditation techniques stem from Buddhist practices, meditation is a secular practice. All humans suffer from restless minds and times of stress or agitation, and meditation can benefit anyone - no matter what religion they belong to or even if they are not religious at all. There are, however, many excellent meditation classes and retreats held at Buddhist monasteries all over the world, and they are open to people from all denominations and walks of life.
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 instructor specialising in stress, anxiety and depression. For more information on meditation check out her Youtube video How To Meditate or visit her site at http://www.ashimaliving.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment