Have you been wanting to get into meditation but found the whole thing a little bit intimidating? You’re not alone! Here are a few things I've learned as I faced my fears and dipped my toes into the meditation pool.
Remember that free meditation tool I shared here a while back? After making my way through the free portions of Andy Puddicombe's program, I decided to invest in the paid service, too. You know, for research purposes. The free meditations are a set of ten guided ten-minute meditations, and the paid service includes longer sessions that I’m excited to explore! I’m working on the series of 15 minute meditations now and loving it.
Related Reading: Breathing Techniques for Relaxation
Meditation is more than just relaxing. It’s actually physically beneficial. From your central nervous system to improving heart health and promoting better sleep, there are a ton of benefits to working meditation into your day.
What’s so scary about meditation?
Before I decided to jump in and try meditation, I had a few misconceptions about how it works, and I’m betting that I’m not the only one. I thought meditation was strict and difficult. I thought it was kind of uncomfortable – sitting cross-legged on the floor for long periods of time sounded like a recipe for back pain, for example. And turning off your brain? How impossible does that sound?
The truth about meditation is that it’s not about fighting anything, and it’s not about how or where you’re sitting. On the next page, I’ll bust a few of the myths about meditation that might be roadblocks for you.
4 Meditation Myths, Busted
If you've never tried meditation, you might have some preconceived notions about what this practice involves, and some of those ideas might even be standing between you and the benefits of meditating. I’m new to this whole meditation thing, but if I’d known some of the things below, I might have gotten into it a lot sooner!
1. You don’t have to turn off your brain.
Sure, sometimes you are able to fully quiet your mind, but turning off all of your thoughts isn’t a requirement in meditation. Thoughts are going to naturally pop up, and meditation is about not fixating on them. Imagine instead that you’re floating down a river. Sure, flotsam and jetsam might float by, but you don’t have to pick it up or let it disturb your journey.
It’s OK to have thoughts while you’re meditating. What’s important is that when thoughts do pop into your head, that you let them go as soon as you realize they’re there. Acknowledge them, sure, but then bring your awareness to your breath and let those nagging thoughts float right by.
2. It doesn't have to take a long time.
I thought meditating meant devoting at least 30 minutes to an hour to sitting quietly and breathing, but that’s not true! Even five to ten minutes of meditation can benefit your well being. You can sneak it in while supper is in the oven or just before you go to bed.
Related Reading: Distance Running: Meditation in Motion
3. You don’t have to tune out sounds.
Just like thoughts, you can’t make sounds disappear, and you can’t turn your ears off while you’re meditating. A few weeks after I started meditating, the city decided it was time to repair sewer lines in front of my house. The work is pretty loud at times, and I was worried about how it would affect my practice.
When you’re meditating and unpleasant sounds crop up, treat them just like nagging thoughts. Acknowledge them, and focus on your inhalations and exhalations until they fade into the background.
4. Sitting up straight isn't required.
Does sitting for long periods hurt your back? You don’t have to sit up in a chair or on the floor to meditate! Instead of letting this hangup stop you, find a position that does work for you.
I was in my third trimester of pregnancy when I started meditating, and sitting up for any length of time was just not happening. The position that worked best for me was lying down on my side on the couch or the bed. Sure, I fell asleep mid-practice a few times, but I don’t feel like that negates all of the time spent clearing my head and learning to focus my mind.
I’d love to hear from other folks out there – novices or old pros – who practice meditation! Were there any misconceptions blocking your way to trying meditation? Let’s share more tips in the comments!
Remember that free meditation tool I shared here a while back? After making my way through the free portions of Andy Puddicombe's program, I decided to invest in the paid service, too. You know, for research purposes. The free meditations are a set of ten guided ten-minute meditations, and the paid service includes longer sessions that I’m excited to explore! I’m working on the series of 15 minute meditations now and loving it.
Related Reading: Breathing Techniques for Relaxation
Meditation is more than just relaxing. It’s actually physically beneficial. From your central nervous system to improving heart health and promoting better sleep, there are a ton of benefits to working meditation into your day.
What’s so scary about meditation?
Before I decided to jump in and try meditation, I had a few misconceptions about how it works, and I’m betting that I’m not the only one. I thought meditation was strict and difficult. I thought it was kind of uncomfortable – sitting cross-legged on the floor for long periods of time sounded like a recipe for back pain, for example. And turning off your brain? How impossible does that sound?
The truth about meditation is that it’s not about fighting anything, and it’s not about how or where you’re sitting. On the next page, I’ll bust a few of the myths about meditation that might be roadblocks for you.
4 Meditation Myths, Busted
If you've never tried meditation, you might have some preconceived notions about what this practice involves, and some of those ideas might even be standing between you and the benefits of meditating. I’m new to this whole meditation thing, but if I’d known some of the things below, I might have gotten into it a lot sooner!
1. You don’t have to turn off your brain.
Sure, sometimes you are able to fully quiet your mind, but turning off all of your thoughts isn’t a requirement in meditation. Thoughts are going to naturally pop up, and meditation is about not fixating on them. Imagine instead that you’re floating down a river. Sure, flotsam and jetsam might float by, but you don’t have to pick it up or let it disturb your journey.
It’s OK to have thoughts while you’re meditating. What’s important is that when thoughts do pop into your head, that you let them go as soon as you realize they’re there. Acknowledge them, sure, but then bring your awareness to your breath and let those nagging thoughts float right by.
2. It doesn't have to take a long time.
I thought meditating meant devoting at least 30 minutes to an hour to sitting quietly and breathing, but that’s not true! Even five to ten minutes of meditation can benefit your well being. You can sneak it in while supper is in the oven or just before you go to bed.
Related Reading: Distance Running: Meditation in Motion
3. You don’t have to tune out sounds.
Just like thoughts, you can’t make sounds disappear, and you can’t turn your ears off while you’re meditating. A few weeks after I started meditating, the city decided it was time to repair sewer lines in front of my house. The work is pretty loud at times, and I was worried about how it would affect my practice.
When you’re meditating and unpleasant sounds crop up, treat them just like nagging thoughts. Acknowledge them, and focus on your inhalations and exhalations until they fade into the background.
4. Sitting up straight isn't required.
Does sitting for long periods hurt your back? You don’t have to sit up in a chair or on the floor to meditate! Instead of letting this hangup stop you, find a position that does work for you.
I was in my third trimester of pregnancy when I started meditating, and sitting up for any length of time was just not happening. The position that worked best for me was lying down on my side on the couch or the bed. Sure, I fell asleep mid-practice a few times, but I don’t feel like that negates all of the time spent clearing my head and learning to focus my mind.
I’d love to hear from other folks out there – novices or old pros – who practice meditation! Were there any misconceptions blocking your way to trying meditation? Let’s share more tips in the comments!
