Okay so let’s talk about meditation. I started my journey with meditation over 20 years ago.
When I first started meditating. I had preconceived notions and beliefs about what meditation was, how to do it and its benefits.
I initially thought meditation was a mysterious religious ritual that only yogis and monks could do to reach a state of spiritual nirvana. I thought you had to sit in lotus pose for at least an hour and meditate in this posture two times each day. I also believed that to be successful at meditation I had to drain my brain of every single thought to achieve enlightenment.
Well I am here today to tell you that while portions of my initial thoughts and beliefs are practiced by some and have some truth, they are not dogma.
What I have found through my evolution with meditation is that it there is no “wrong” way to do it. Its benefits are far reaching and cross over all aspects of well-being (physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually). It has improved my focus which helps me to stay more present and to connect with my intuition. It increases mental clarity when I find myself struggling with too many choices and trying to decide which direction I need to take. Getting quiet and going within has resulted with better decisions in my life and so much more.
Meditation from a scientific perspective as been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and anger and it aids in lowering blood pressure. It can also be used to help support individuals suffering from addictions and PTSD. It promotes emotional well-being, enhances self-awareness, increases attention span and improves sleep. And best part of all, it can be done anywhere!
So with all these benefits, why aren’t more people meditating? Maybe because they too have similar thoughts about meditation just as I did when I first started? Or perhaps other limiting beliefs not discussed here today.
Today I’m going to bust some of the big myths I had about meditation in the hopes of helping you find your own path and connection with it.
My wish and deepest desire for you is to experience the benefits and the joy meditation brings. The more you do it, the easier it gets, and life becomes so much sweeter.
MYTH #1: ONLY CERTAIN PEOPLE CAN MEDITATE
Everyone and anyone can meditate – adults, teens, even young children and further I believe everyone needs meditation given the many benefits it can provide.
MYTH #2: YOU HAVE TO BELONG TO A CERTAIN RELIGION TO MEDITATE
You do not need to belong to a certain religion to meditate. I find meditation to be a practice that enhances overall well-being – body, mind and spirit. And, I believe it supports an individual’s spiritual journey no matter what religion they associate with – even in the case of not belonging to any established religion.
MYTH #3: I DON’T HAVE THE TIME
Meditating doesn’t have to be a huge time suck, especially when you are just starting out. Meditating even two to three minutes a day, can result with significant benefits.
MYTH #4: I DON’T KNOW HOW TO DO IT
Yep, I bought into this myth when I first started too. I had no clue what meditation was or how to do it. The good news is that there are many online resources available to you now that can guide you through meditation. You don’t have to go at it alone. ?
I particularly enjoy the Deepak Chopra/Oprah 21-Day meditation series. They typically run a 21-Day freebie once a calendar quarter. Each 21-Day series is devoted to a specific theme, the daily meditations open with a mindful message, a mantra is provided to use and beautiful music is played throughout. This is a great one for beginners!
Want an even simpler way to start your mediation journey? ? Try this on for size – find a quiet place to sit or lay down, close your eyes, focus on your breathing and take in the things you are grateful for in your life. Ahhhh.
MYTH #5: I WON’T BE GOOD AT IT
I said this in the beginning of this post and I’ll say it again – there is no wrong way to do it. It is not about sitting or lying there and trying to get rid of every single thought in your head, it’s about getting present and quieting the mind. One of the methods I’ve used in the past and what I teach my current yoga students and clients to do is picture each thought as if it were a cloud – see the “cloud thought” floating into your mind and then floating right back out. The idea is that we are not holding on to or attached to our thoughts – this is what meditation is about. Creating space within. When we get quiet, we pave the way for the best answers come to us and increase our overall well-being.
MYTH #6: I TRIED IT AND IT’S NOT FOR ME
Okay so you tried one way and it did not resonate with you – yep been there done that too. My encouragement for you is to keep going and try different methods of meditation. Some of the most common types include: mindfulness meditation, transcendental meditation, walking meditation, mantra-based meditation, and guided meditations. I really love guided meditations and I especially love providing them to clients who are new to meditation. They come out of the guided meditation feeling deeply relaxed, rejuvenated and restored. Have fun exploring until you find a type that really works for you and stick with it – consistency is key!
Now that we’ve busted my Big 6 myths with meditating, what are you waiting for? Go to it and start experiencing the benefits for yourself. And if you would like additional support, Tranquil Heart Wellness is here to help get you started. Start living your best life now!