Chapter 4 - 9 Common Meditation Myths

“If every 8 year old in the world is taught meditation, we will eliminate violence from the world within one generation.”

Dalai Lama

Although meditation is becoming more popular in the western world, there still exist widespread misconceptions that prevent people from either getting started with meditation or developing it into a long-term practice. Here are 9 common meditation myths dismantled:

Myth #1: Meditation is for religious or spiritual people

Truth: While meditation has been practiced by various spiritual and religious traditions throughout history, meditation itself is not a religious activity. It is simply a powerful exercise that takes us beyond the chaos of the mind into a place of stillness. Meditation does not conflict with any religious or spiritual view and thus can be practiced by anybody.

Myth #2: Meditation takes too much time

Truth: If Ray Dalio (billionaire founder of Bridgewater Associates) can find the time to meditate twice a day, every single day, then you too can make the time. The key is to realize how important meditation is to your life and to make it a priority. The truth is, the more you meditate, the more time you have: meditation revitalizes your body and mind, which allows you to go through the day more focused, more productive and less distracted. With meditation you are able to accomplish more in less time.

Myth #3: Meditation is difficult

Truth: When you approach it from the right angle, meditation is incredibly easy. Some techniques are as simple as focusing on your breath or repeating a mantra. The reality is that we are the ones who make meditation difficult. We are sometimes attached to a result, we judge our meditation, we doubt ourselves or we try too hard to quiet our minds. In meditation there is no stress, no struggle and no effort because you are not trying to force anything. Meditation is about being in complete non-resistance to the present moment.

Myth #4: I must close my eyes in order to meditate

Truth: Many experts actually recommend learning to meditate with your eyes opened. This is because it makes it easier to carry the state of stillness and awareness you experience during meditation into your daily life. Buddhist teacher Sogyal Rinpoche puts it beautifully: “Meditation is practice for the rest of our life .” Opening your eyes during meditation will train your mind to stay in that state of stillness and non-distraction even after you have completed your session – when you meet friends, at work or even when you communicate with your spouse.

Myth #5: It takes years to experience the benefits of meditation

Truth: You will benefit from meditation from the very first session. In 2011, Sara Lazar at Harvard University found that 8 weeks of mindfulness meditation significantly increased the size of the hippocampus, an area of the brain that governs learning and memory. She also found that meditation increased the size of certain areas of the brain involved in emotion regulation, and decreased the brain cell volume in the amygdala, which responsible for emotions of fear, anxiety and stress.

Myth #6: Meditation is escaping reality

Truth: Meditation is actually about facing reality. When you meditate, you are eventually confronted to painful thoughts and emotions that are buried deep inside you. Meditation is an inner journey that takes you into the depths of your being, helping you see reality as it is and allowing you to be more at peace with yourself.

Myth #7: Meditation stops when the timer goes off

Truth:   Meditation never stops. It is a way of life. Everything can be turned into a meditation – eating, talking, walking, dressing, doing the dishes… As long as yo u are completely immersed into the present moment and mindful of what you are doing, then you are meditating.

Myth #8: My mind has to be quiet in order to benefit from meditation

Truth: This is like saying you need to be fit in order to benefit from working out. The truth is you probably benefit more from meditation if your mind isn’t naturally quiet. Don’t worry, even if you feel like your mind is all over the place throughout your meditation, you will still benefit from it. Meditation is never a waste of time.

Myth #9: Meditation is about feeling good

Truth: While meditation will often make you feel bliss, it will also take you to dark corners of your mind. You will become aware of thoughts and emotions inside of you that may be to difficult experience. It is not uncommon for people to cry during meditation. This is a positive sign however, because meditation provides the space for you to release unresolved negative emotions that inhabit you, allowing you to make peace with the past and move forward with serenity.