First I just want to say that we think of meditation as a tool to use only when we really need it but I want you to think of meditation as required maintenance of your brain. You wouldn’t only brush your teeth once you couldn’t handle how dirty they are anymore. So why would you let yourself get to the point where you just can’t handle how stressed and run down you are?
I want you to keep in mind that we need to shift our view from benefits to gain to basic wellbeing.
It takes years of practice to get good at meditation
Being “good” at meditation is probably not what you think. It’s called a practice for a reason and the goal is to learn how to guide our mind. What image comes to mind for most people when we talk about meditation? The buddhist monk who meditates for hours or days silently on a mountain. All alone. He’s got years of experience under his belt and he’s so good at it. But the thing is you don’t have to dedicate your entire life to meditation in order to reap the benefits.
The goal is to have a blank mind
This is I believe the most damaging misconception because no one can achieve an entirely blank mind… that’s called being brain dead. Not a good thing. Your mind is always thinking, whether that be thoughts about the future, the past, the sensations you are currently feeling, or anything your brain can come up with. Your brain is constantly reacting to stimuli whether internal or external and that’s not a bad thing.
Meditation will “fix” me
We all want that quick fix right? Wouldn’t it be nice if all we had to do was meditate and all life’s problems would just vanish? Of course that’s not the case. Life happens and we all are muddling our way through as best we can. While meditation has so many benefits for your mind and body that can raise your enjoyment of life, this idea of “fixing” yourself is pretty damaging. Meditation alone is not going to change you as a person but it can unlock your awareness and help you to work towards a happier version of you.
I will see the benefits of meditation immediately
Yes and no. You might feel a bit more relaxed or maybe feel heightened awareness after a meditation but one session is not going to give you those lasting effects. Think of meditation like a workout for the brain. Kind of like running. If I go on one run my body will see a small, short term benefit. If I start running everyday my body will start to change in a larger way and I will start to see longer term benefits in more parts of my life. Each time you run you make that little bit of progress that grows into something measurable. It’s the same with meditation, benefits will start small but if you stick with it you that’s when you notice real change.
Meditation is only for stress reduction
While meditation does boast stress reduction as a benefit, focusing on using meditation for stress reduction once your stress levels have reached a critical point is not a healthy approach. Regular meditation allows you to get to know yourself on a higher level and with that comes a better understanding of our emotions and a higher awareness of the present so that we can live in the moment.
So What IS Meditation?
Meditation is essentially a training exercise for the brain. We are working to slowly rewire our brain to be better attentive to the present moment and achieve more intention in our thoughts.
There are three things needed to achieve meditation
- Any moment can be considered meditation if you are bringing your full attention to that moment.
- This has to be a conscious choice.
- Maintaining this attention with a quality of openness and acceptance