Meditation Myth #10 – Meditation is New Age Nonsense

There’s nothing new about mediation. It goes back thousands of years. And unlike some unproven mind/body modalities, meditation has been extensively studied and found to bring specific benefits, including reduced anxiety and depression.

Meditation Myth #9 – Meditation is a Religion

Yes, meditation is practiced by adherents of many religions. But it’s possible to meditate no matter what your religious affiliation, and without violating your religious principle and practices. Meditation was an important practice of the early followers of all major religions.

Meditation Myth #8 – Meditation is just Relaxation

Unlike simply sitting on the sofa or lying in bed, meditation has been shown to produce specific chemical changes in the brain. Meditation is known to cause the brain to release a soothing hormone known as prolactin. Meditation also boosts brain wave activity in the brain’s left frontal region, which is associated with positive, upbeat feelings. Regular meditation results in increased brainwave symmetry between the left and right hemispheres.

Meditation Myth #7 – You cannot meditate if you cannot sit cross-legged

To meditate effectively, you must be comfortable. For some, the so-called lotus position is comfortable. But people who find that uncomfortable can sit in a chair or find some other comfortable position. Some forms of meditation can be practiced while walking.

Meditation Myth #6 – Meditation takes too much time

When I teach new meditation students I always recommend to meditate only five minutes per day. Just five minutes a day will give you noticeable benefits in less than a week. You will notice that you are calmer and your productivity will improve as your mind is less cluttered.

Meditation Myth #5 – Meditation takes years to provide benefits

You will notice benefits from meditation probably after your first session but definitely within a week if you just meditate for five minutes per day. After a week you can go to six minutes a day as you realize your productivity has increased and meditation doesn’t just make you feel better it also saves you time.

Meditation Myth #4 – Meditation is hard work

Meditation is highly relaxing when properly performed. While you are not likely to immediately experience the extremely blissful states that advanced meditators enjoy, even your first few meditation sessions are likely to be very relaxing.

Meditation Myth #3 – Meditators are lazy

Yes, it is true that some meditators get so addicted to the relaxing feelings associated with meditation that they become somewhat escapist. It is equally true that many meditators are high flying business owners and corporate executives. For many, meditation is a great productivity enhancer as it builds incredible concentration skills.

Meditation Myth #2 – Some people are unable to meditate

When given proper instructions I believe everyone is able to meditate, unless they are afflicted by physical brain damage that prevents proper concentration. If you have a belief that you cannot meditate it is almost certainly due to a misunderstanding about the meditative process and what to expect during meditation.

Meditation Myth #1 – Your mind must be still during meditation

One of the great benefits of meditation is the stilling of the mind. As the disturbance of the mind is reduced we experience relaxation and the life force flows easier throughout the body. Possibly the greatest misunderstanding about meditation is the belief that the mind can be stilled at will and must be stilled during meditation. The truth is that the more you try to still the mind directly the busier it tend to become. The process of meditation is able to still the mind indirectly simply by following the process without attachment.