5 myths of Meditation Weed out these myths and enjoy Meditating with Ease. The following list is a sampling of what I’ve learned works and what doesn’t work when it comes to establishing a regular meditation routine.
see below for more descriptions about these myths. Myth 1: You have to meditate for an hour
I used to think meditation wasn’t worth doing unless you could do it for an hour or so. Oftentimes you see a weekly meditation class advertised as 60” or 90.” Thus it’s easy to think you’ll go and sit on a paisley floor pillow for an hour. I find that intimidating. But I’ve found in establishing my own daily meditation practice, meditation needn’t be anywhere near an hour. I rarely even hit 20.” And I still get the benefits. What is more important is preferencing regularity over quantity. That way, you continue cultivating your wellbeing everyday. Also, by committing to short but regular sessions, you are implicitly telling yourself, “I care about myself and my well-being.” This is a positive reprogramming of your behavior. Myth 2: Sitting in Stillness Maintaining Stillness - The classic meditation image is of someone sitting, legs crossed and eyes closed. Examples are the Buddha under a tree, or a guru in lotus position on a cushion. But I’ve learned meditation doesn’t have to by sitting still. My first experience with meditation was in my 20s when I was training for a marathon. I realized my regular running practice was a regular meditation practice. I made a point every time I went out for exercise to unplug from all devices. I also made a point of connecting with the outside world: fresh air, clouds, rain, stars, sun, wind, snow, etc. Meditation can be on the move, just put aside your books, ipods, devices and reconnect with the rhythms of your body and of nature. Myth 3: Keep your eyes closed Another Meditation myth is, “You have to keep your eyes closed.” Nope, you can have them open. Your eyes can take in a candle flame, for instance, or watch smoke from incense. I like gazing at a mandala. I’m not thinking about anything, just letting my eyes drink in the details. Sometimes I work my way in from out, sometimes I go out to in. If I want insight, clarity and one-pointed focus, then I move my eyes from out to in. If I want to increase my perspective, see the big picture or connect to the greater world around me, then I start in the center of the mandala and follow it outwards. Myth #4: Meditate in Silence The Myth of Silence in meditation is common. But did you know you can make all kinds of noise and still be enjoying the benefits of a regular meditation practice. You can chant, say a mantra, hum or tone. And the mantra needn’t be in Sanskrit to be useful to you. You can saying any empowering mantra that truly means something to you. When I hum or tone, I get a bit of a workout too. As well, the small vibrations from humming or toning result in me feeling invigorated and aline. An example of ad-hoc toning is to imagine the base of my spine and make a low sound. Then I imagine the next section up from there and make a higher pitched sound, one by one until I’m at my head. If you’re familiar with Chakras, you can imagine them as you tone or hum. Myth 5: The Way The Way - Another myth is following someone else’s idea of ‘this way is the only way.’ And that includes the myth of keeping to only one form of meditation. There are many forms and I’ve found it most beneficial to personal my meditation to what I need in the moment. In the 12-18 minutes that I meditate, I may focus on my breathing for 8 minutes, gaze softly at a mandala for 4 minutes and finally sit quietly for another couple of minutes, eyes opend or closed. The point it, when you make it yours, it’s more likely to be enjoyable and adaptive to your current needs. You may need to move or vibrate your body as you meditate, or you may feel more drawn to still forms of meditation. These 5 myths are helpful to keep in mind as you explore ways to make regular meditation something that is absolutely doable and enjoyable for you as you commit to your wellbeing. |
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