10 Myths and Misconceptions about Meditation

These days we are constantly stimulated - mentally, emotionally and physically. Not surprisingly, taking a break from this stimulation actually improves your health, your work, your relationships, and your life.

That is why meditation is becoming more and more popular. It is a great way to take a break, unplug, and reduce stress that builds up and causes disease.

Did you know that over 60% of all doctors’ visits are due to stress related complaints? Meditation is the perfect antidote for stress. And it is a great way to find out who you really are.

Meditation is a time-tested practice that benefits mind, body and spirit. Through inner exploration, meditation awakens creativity, healing, and transformation.

Quieting the mind, or meditation in general, can seem impossible to do especially for a beginner. The mind is used to wandering and being focused outward, and focus inward might not come easily at first. Through the practice of meditation, the nervous system grows used to turning inward. Here are some misconceptions and myths about meditation. And information to set you straight.

I’ll have to stop thinking. Well good luck with that. You can’t - it is impossible. The nature of the mind is to think, like the nature of your eye is to see. The purpose of meditation is to enliven the space and silence between the thoughts, not to stop the thoughts from coming altogether. Over time, as you practice meditation correctly, you’ll find that you can easily access more and more subtle levels of thinking, and more and more silence.

It takes years of practice and requires super-human powers of concentration. This is totally false. Meditation is a skill that anyone can learn. It takes little more than the ability to sit still, close your eyes and focus on something. Some meditations have you focus on an area of your body, or a color, a candle flame, a sound, or a thought. You’ll need to spend a few minutes every day to practice turning your attention inward, but anyone can do it. Most people can do it easily the very first time.

I’ve tried it and I can’t do it. As long as you can sit down and close your eyes, you can meditate.
You’ll need professional instruction in meditation and perhaps someone to do it with you the first few times - so you’ll be confident that you can actually do it. You probably couldn’t ride your bike the first time you tried but did that stop you? Meditation is no different.

I’ll have to wear unusual clothing. You don’t need to wear fancy clothes or chant silly incantations. You don’t need to wear a turban or love beads either. But then again, you can if you want to. Meditation is a personal experience: you do it the way you want to by following the techniques that suit you and your lifestyle.

I’ll lose my edge. You won’t lose your edge; in fact, you’ll probably gain some focus, clarity and ability to concentrate. Most people are used to functioning while being tense or stressed, and they feel it’s the only way to get something done. But in fact, it can lessen your ability to concentrate or make good decisions. With meditation, you’ll learn be more relaxed and you can do less and accomplish more. Nice!

I’ll experience strange things - like finding my spirit guide, or leaving my body. Yes, you might. But you probably won’t. The real reason to meditate is to have a better life. There are so many experiences you can have in meditation: you’ll have thoughts (lots of them), get distracted by noises outside, feel uncomfortable, see colors, feel relaxed, feel restless, feel bliss, etc. But the real measure of how your meditation is working is by taking a look at your life. Are you happier, healthier, more relaxed? Are your relationships more fulfilling, are you making better choices?

I’ll have to change my religion. Meditation is a practice, not a religion. It is about closing your eyes, sitting still, and reconnecting with who you really are. Regardless of your background or beliefs you can meditate. It might even make you more connected with the religion you already practice.

I don’t have the time in my day. How long do you wait in line for a latte? How much time do you spend checking your email? Think of meditation as a refueling. You’ll find that taking time out for a time in will give you more benefits than killing a few minutes in front of the TV or surfing the internet. It’s all about priorities.

It is for weirdoes. No. It is for everybody. People from all walks of life meditate. Some people who meditate are definitely weird and have odd beliefs. Thank about it, isn’t that true in general? It might just seem strange to see someone sitting up with their eyes closed for an extended period of time. Many people who have it together meditate, and they do it for many reasons. Some might meditate to bring them closer to their source while others meditate to help them de-stress.

I’ll have to sit in a lotus position (crossed legged) and my knees don’t bend like that. Even though sitting like that is the traditional posture for meditation; it’s certainly not required for you to position your body in any special way. If crossing your legs is uncomfortable, it won’t help you to turn your attention inward. You can meditate while you are sitting down almost anywhere- as long as you are not driving. It is best not to lie down (you’ll fall asleep and that is NOT meditation.)

Meditation is a thoroughly personal experience; you’ll find what works for you.

There are many different types of meditation. Some examples are following the breath, repeating a mantra out loud or silently, chanting, walking meditations, or gazing at a candle. Each individual has a unique experience with each one.

Just for a few seconds, notice the way the breath is flowing into and out of your body. There are many little things to notice about the way breath feels, and if you start paying attention to it, you can settle into meditation.

Anyone can learn to meditate. Don’t have any experience? Don’t worry. If you can think a thought, you can meditate, and you don’t have to change a thing - not your diet, your religion, your beliefs - nothing. You just have to have the desire to do it and then take a short time out every day.

You’ll notice the benefits unfold naturally and effortlessly.

Learn more about meditation at the Sedona Meditation Training Co. website at www.SedonaMeditation.com. You’ll find a schedule of meditation classes, retreats, and workshops, and other information on how to stay in the moment and reduce stress. Sarah McLean director of Sedona Meditation Training can be reached at (928) 204-0067.