Taking the Mystery out of Meditation
For many
people, the word “meditation” conjures up images of monks in a monastery,
draped in long, flowing garments as they sit around in silence seeking that
oh-so-elusive state of enlightenment. But, really, that’s not what it is at
all.
It might
surprise you to learn that you can practice meditation anywhere and at any
time. In fact, if you weren’t busy reading this article, you could do it right
now. All it takes is a few minutes of your time and the ability to focus on
something. So why do so many people struggle with the concept?
You
probably know that meditation began thousands of years ago as a spiritual
practice. But we’re in the 21st century now, things have moved on a
lot since then, and it’s time to get rid of the myths and old wives’ tales
surrounding meditation and muddying the waters once and for all.
Myth No.
1: You need to clear your mind
If you’ve
ever tried it, you’ll know this is literally impossible. The idea is not to
empty your mind, but to slow it down so you can regain a bit of perspective.
Myth No.
2: You need to sit still for hours on end
Who’s got
that kind of time? It’s better to meditate for 5 or 10 minutes every day than
not at all. Just sit somewhere and focus on your breathing. Simple, right?
Myth No.
3: You need training to do it right
Basic
meditation is achievable by anyone. You can do it as you walk to the bus or
tube station, or when you’re soaking in the tub. Find something to focus on
like your breathing or your footsteps. Your mind will wander, but just bring it
back to what you were focusing on and… voila! That’s meditation.
Myth No.
4: You need to be a bit of a geek
Geeks can
meditate if they want to, but so can everyone else. You don’t have to learn
Sanskrit to do it – just sit somewhere and breathe. You’ll be joining a group
of more than 30 million Americans, including NFL players and US Marines. They
can’t all be geeks, can they?
Myth No.
5: It’s too difficult!
No, it’s
not difficult at all. The only difficult part is getting started, finding the
opportunity to meditate that first time. And speaking of time…
Myth No.
6: It takes too long
How long do
you spend checking messages on your phone? Reading updates on Facebook? Watching TV?
Sending Tweets? You’ve got plenty of time to spare – so take 5 or 10 minutes to
do something that will seriously benefit your physical and mental health.
The secret
is to fit meditation into your lifestyle. Spend a few minutes in the garden
breathing in the aromas around you. Close your eyes and listen to the sounds in
your neighborhood. Take 2 minutes before you get out of bed in the morning to
think about the people you love. They’re all examples of simple, practical
methods of meditation, and you don’t have to be a monk to achieve any of them.
