Meditation is a word that most are familiar with these days, but many people have surprisingly different ideas about what exactly meditation is, as well as its goals. Here I share with you my list of eight common misconceptions about meditation.
- I can’t sit in lotus posture/a.k.a I have a bad or tight back, knee, etc.
Guess what: my knees and hips aren’t as pliable as they were 10 years ago, and I almost never sit in lotus posture. While meditating, I may lay down, sit in a comfy chair, stand up and dance, walk or even float in the ocean.
- It’s all about being quiet
While many people do practice meditation this way, this can actually be called a pre-meditation technique. There are many simple and enjoyable ways to practice meditation with musical instruments, singing or with beads.
- It’s only for hippies
If you think you’ll need to stop shaving and eat granola every day to practice meditation, you’re wrong. Yoga meditation programs have been introduced, studied and become an integral part of many company’s employee benefits. Research has shown that reaction times, accuracy and memory improved for executives that practiced yoga meditation in one study, compared to those who engaged in aerobic exercise or did nothing.
- It’s against my religion
Meditation does not contradict any teachings of the Judeo-Christian Bible. It’s simply about slowing down, tuning in, becoming more relaxed and more self-aware and connecting to our source, the Supreme Soul or God.
- I can’t be still enough to meditate.
Great news! There’re other ways to meditate. And through practicing these more active forms of meditation, you will find your mind and body are more able to focus and go within in a calm, yet energized way. I often practice meditation in a group, chanting mantras in unison. The effect is very powerful and certainly not quiet.
- Binge watching online will give me the same relaxation as meditation.
Uhhh, well…not true. Meditation is not the same as escapism, where the problems of your life return after the escape. Binge watching can be considered a type of meditation – in that your mind and energy are absorbed in the flickering light that projects subject matter onto your screen – (and then gets forever recorded into your mind). However, rather than producing inner peace end greater self-reliance, you may find yourself more fearful, agitated and depressed after a binge session as you’ve internalized the angst, the striving and the materialism largely showcased in these platforms.
- Wasn’t that over in the 70’s?
A recent report found that over 18 million Americans practice variety of meditation, including over 200,000 children, or 8 % of the total population.
- I don’t have time to meditate
Meditation can take up to as little as 5-20 minutes of your day. It’s up to you. Surely you have that much time to spare. And the increased clarity and groundedness that meditation gives will make the rest of your day more productive. Meditation is especially effective at sunrise and sunset, or the first thing in the morning or the last thing at night. I like to meditate in bed before I go to sleep. This practically ensures sweet dreams.
So what’s your excuse/ start slowly and build up if you find you like it.
Thank You! Namaste
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