What It Is and What It Isn't

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Oftentimes I refer to the word mindfulness and I've described what mindfulness is in an earlier post. I use the word mindfulness more often than meditation because, let's face it, meditation has gotten a bad rap in the past. But I'm here to change that.

Generally speaking, meditation is the practice of quieting the mind. It is in meditation that we develop our mindfulness. It's a simple practice, not easy for most, at least in the beginning, and it does take some time, energy and discipline. But sometimes it's easier to talk about what meditation isn't.

So, I offer the following myths & truths to the question of "what is meditation":

Myth: It is just a relaxation technique
Truth: While you do relax when doing meditation, it’s so much more than that. It has proven health benefits like stress reduction, pain management, increased happiness, better memory, increased compassion and on and on.

Myth: Meditation means going into a trance
Truth: Yes, some lesser known types of meditation can take you there, but most do not.

Myth: The purpose of meditation is to become psychic
Truth: No, the purpose is to develop mindfulness/awareness.

Myth: Meditation is running away from reality
Truth: Quite the opposite, it’s facing reality head on.  It’s exploring your mind, getting to know yourself so well that there are no illusions left.  You see yourself exactly as you are and accept it fully.  Only then can you change it.  Meditation is not about trying to escape or transcend into something otherworldly, it’s being intimate with reality, seeing things as they are not how you would like them to be. It is from this place of acceptance that effective changes can be made because you are perfectly aware of the situation.

Myth: Meditation is a great way to get high
Truth: Well, yes & no.  While you may find a feeling of bliss at times, you should not do it with that purpose in mind.  The purpose of meditation is increased mindfulness/awareness.  The bliss you might feel is a result of a release of tension.  If you’re chasing bliss through meditation, guaranteed it will elude you.

Myth: Meditation is selfish
Truth: This is one of my favorite myths to debunk because while it may appear that way to some, those around you will reap the benefits.  You are less reactive, more understanding and more compassionate.

Myth: When you meditate, you have to clear your mind completely
Truth: Yeah, that will never happen.  We aren’t built that way.  But the chatter in your brain will quiet over time.

Myth: A couple of weeks of meditation and all my problems will disappear
Truth: Nope, wrong again.  First of all, it takes more than a couple weeks of practice to see significant changes.  And the changes are in the way you respond to situations instead of reacting. You will find you control your thoughts, instead of them controlling you.

Make meditation a regular part of your daily routing. Start with just five minutes. Soon you’ll find you want more.

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