Picture a conversation between two colleagues: ‘A’ begins by saying that he’s stressed and overwhelmed all the time. Going for the obvious answer, ‘B’ told him to meditate for inner peace and happiness. A said he’s too busy for all that, and anyway, it’s too boring. Plus, A is quite active, so he “has a hard time sitting in complete silence.” B simply shrugged and said, “Well, maybe it isn’t for everyone.”

Meditation has gradually begun revealing its relevance as a mindfulness habit in today’s work-oriented landscape. But some myths about meditation really ruin its image as a helpful habit. So, for this article, let’s look into these common meditation myths and check their reality!

Common Meditation Myths

Let’s begin with the most obvious one: “It isn’t for me.”

1. Myth: Meditation isn’t for everyone.

Fact: Meditation is suitable for everyone and can be modified per individual needs!

It might seem like a rigid practice that requires complete inactivity and utmost focus, but that’s not true! Meditation is about being aware of your surroundings and accepting them without judgment. It’s not about eliminating thoughts or emotions but acknowledging them and being at peace.

Scientifically speaking, studies show that meditation enhances focus, reduces anxiety, and helps improve overall well-being. It also provides mental clarity and is universally used to develop a healthier body and mind.

2. Myth: Meditation is a spiritual/religious practice.

Fact: People of all beliefs and lifestyles use meditation as a simple mindfulness technique to unwind.

It isn’t tied to any religion, nor does it force the spiritual lifestyle on anyone. It might be considered spiritual in the sense that it opens up your chakras and grounds you. Plus, it can also be enlightening as it makes you aware of your thoughts and emotions. But rest assured, you won’t suddenly wake up one day, levitating two feet above your bed like a magical sadhu! Ask the people joining Habuild’s 14-day free yoga classes online; they’re still firmly on the ground!

3. Myth: You have to empty your mind.

Fact: Meditation is about being aware of yourself and your environment, not cleaning out thoughts.

Once you’ve become aware, you accept it unconditionally and don’t let it bother you in any manner. And if you try emptying your mind, you probably won’t even be able to sit peacefully.

Speaking from experience, it is almost impossible to empty your mind of thoughts. Imagine if I told you not to think about monkeys for the whole day. Would you like to guess what you’ll think about throughout? The whole day, you’ll keep telling yourself, “Don’t think about monkeys” over and over again… which indirectly makes you think about monkeys. While meditating, your thoughts are like clouds that you’re watching; you don’t have to make them disappear; just enjoy the view!

4. Myth: You have to meditate for hours before results.

Fact: Even small 5-minute sessions throughout the day or week work excellently.

Got a super busy schedule? Don’t worry; you can easily squeeze a meditation session between those 2-hour conference calls and even before your “just 5 minutes” scrolling sessions! The time doesn’t matter; consistency counts. Whenever you find yourself zoned out or daydreaming, turn that leisure time into meditation time! And over time, you’ll realise how positively these small mindfulness moments impact you. Soon, you’ll meditate beyond just leisure time and enjoy it!

5. Myth: You can only meditate while sitting on the ground with your eyes closed in a peaceful environment.

Fact: Meditation is a quick grounding exercise that can be performed anywhere.

The trademark cross-legged and Gyan Mudra pose you might picture when you hear “meditation” isn’t a rigid rule! It simply suggests how some people could peacefully and comfortably sit because the end goal is relaxation and acceptance. Let’s pay more attention to comfort initially, but once you become an expert, keep your spine straight!

Instead of a cushion on the ground, you can sit on a chair, lie on a couch or even peacefully walk around the room as long as you’re relaxed and focused. But I would have to suggest against meditating on the bed (unless you’re doing Yoga Nidra, in which case, go for it!); accidentally falling asleep while meditating is still a very common occurrence!

To avoid an unplanned nap, you can also keep your eyes open while meditating. Just find an aesthetic spot in the room and keep your eyes fixed throughout the practice. You can even play soothing nature sounds to get in the whole walking-through-green-meadow vibe!

Phew… that’s a lot of myth-busting for one day! But uncovering these myths about meditation has definitely been eye-opening and chakra-opening. Now that you know the truth of meditation, especially the reality behind common meditation myths, let’s see how we can begin or improve on our enlightening journey.

Tips on Doing Meditation

1. Keep Going: In case you haven’t read this before, consistency is the most important step! No matter how many minutes you’re meditating, do it every day. Bonus points if you journal about your journey! Slowly, you’ll feel comfortable increasing the time, too.
   
2. Find your Technique: All individuals are different and prefer different mindfulness forms. You might not feel comfortable meditating alone and prefer guided sessions or sitting with a group. Easy solution? Join Habuild’s 14-day free Online Yoga Classes now! 

3. Enter your Comfort Zone: This is the first time you’ve heard that, right? But this means building a comfortable area where you meditate daily. One with fewer distractions, a cool place for sitting, and a singular point for focusing your eyes. And don’t forget the part earlier where we talked about lying on a couch while meditating!

4. No Judgment: Be kind to yourself and your thoughts. Don’t feel embarrassed or crazy for thinking during meditating; it’s part of the process! And we’re all on the learning curve.
   
5. Be Patient: Usually, sabr ka phal meetha hota hai, but in this case, sabr ka phal shanti hota hai! The longer you practice meditation, the easier it will be to accept your thoughts and the more impact meditation will have on your overall well-being.

Final thoughts

Remember the guys from earlier? B thought about the myths for a while and said, “Actually, you know what? That’s not true. It’s not just complete silence for hours and concentrating so hard that you begin to levitate. You can start small and meditate for just five minutes a day.” A asked him skeptically, “Five minutes? What good will that do?” B reassured him that it’s not just the duration but how you use it; “It’s more about living in the Now and being present. Your brain just needs a quick break, and even five minutes can make a difference!”

Wanna know a secret? After reading this article, you know more than both A and B! The question is, will you use it better, too?