by John Cottrell, PhD, CYT, E-RYT500, Sunshima blog writer
Meditation has grown from an ancient art to a familiar practice among many people today. It is an exercise and technique that helps with many aspects of personal health and self-development. Although meditation may be a popular activity, there are some common misconceptions about the practice. Here are seven common mistakes made about meditation.
You Have to be an Expert
Like with any new task, it takes practice to become proficient. This is the same case for meditation. You do not have to be an expert if you’re just starting out, after all we all have to begin somewhere. If you’re new to meditation, remember you do not need to do it perfectly the first time. With continued practice, you will develop your meditation skills.
Spend Hours Meditating
You may think that in order to reap the benefits of meditation, you have to spend hours and hours at a time in the practice. In reality, it only takes a few minutes out of your already busy day to engage in a meditative practice. Simply closing your eyes and focusing on some deep breathing for several seconds is a practical way to meditate.
You Have to Clear Your Mind Completely
There is a misconception about meditation; some believe that meditation is about completely clearing your mind of thoughts. This is an ambitious goal, but not necessarily the intention of the practice. Meditation is an exercise that directs your attention to one object, thought, or action. You may gaze at a candle, focus on the sound of your breath, or repeat a mantra. By doing this, you help relieve your body and mind of distracting thoughts and feelings.
Expect Quick Results
Just as it takes time to develop the skills for meditation, it also takes time to fully experience the wonderful benefits of this practice. The positive results of meditation generally do not occur overnight. It often takes a consistent devotion to meditation to feel a sense of calm, see a change in your mood, or experience less tension in your body.
There’s Only One Way to Meditate
There are actually many ways to meditate. You do not need to just sit in one spot and focus on your breathing as a meditative practice. Other forms include listening to guided meditation recordings or music, taking a slow stroll through a park or garden, even reading or repeating a short positive affirmation to yourself. Meditation can come in the form of favourite activities like singing, walking the dog, working out at the gym, or reading a book. The intention is to direct your attention to something positive and healthy to reduce forms of stress that develop in your mind and body.
There’s a Right Time to Meditate
The wonderful thing about meditation is that you can do it anytime and anywhere. It only takes a few minutes and it doesn’t take any fancy equipment. You can meditate before going to sleep, when you take a break at work, or even sit at a traffic light while running errands.
Not Being Consistent
Consistency is the key to a successful meditative practice When you can create some special time from your busy schedule to meditate, you will experience beneficial internal and external changes. Choose a form of meditation that suit your interests and lifestyle, try it for a few weeks to a month, and see how you feel. You may discover that meditation is a resourceful practice that can help with positive life changes and goals.