Meditation Debunked

Meditation has changed my life for the better in so many ways.

As a result,  I’ve become a little bit obsessed with sharing the benefits with others..

Common Misconceptions about meditation :

-             You have to stop all thoughts. The reality is that this is not possible, it’s about changing the relationship you have with your thoughts. Not getting lost in them. 

-             You have to sit in an uncomfortable position. You can meditate standing or walking. It’s all about being alert and aware.

-             It’s only for religious people. Although it has roots in spirituality it is widely used for other benefits in secular contexts.

-             It is always relaxing. Not true although it often is. Sometimes it’s about sitting with the discomfort. Getting comfortable being uncomfortable.

-             It’s a way of avoiding problems. Quite the opposite, it helps you face problems with clarity and calm.

-             If I’m not good at it then I’m doing it wrong. Everyone struggles with focus, the practice is in noticing that your mind has wandered and gently returning your focus.

So how does it work & what are the benefits?

We all know that our bodies get fitter and stronger by physical exercise. But what we might not know is that meditation trains our brains (and specifically our “focus”) in the same way.

In very simple terms it allows us to see clearly what is going on inside us & to choose wisely how we should respond.

The Benefits

-             More focused & less distracted,

-             Less forgetful,

-             Less stressed

-             More present,

-             More in control,

-             Less irritable,

-             Enjoy life more

-             Unflappable (mostly!)

-             Can massively help with procrastination, self-sabotage, overthinking and

-             Improved relationships.

We become free, no longer dependent on things or people being a certain way in order for us to be happy. We are completely in control of how we feel.

The clarity we get is like cleaning off a dusty window and seeing out properly for the first time. We get to understand ourselves and our impulses and reactions.

We get to choose what sort of a person we want to be and to see for ourselves that just because we have an impulsive reaction or thought does not mean we have to do or speak it.

It helps us to press pause & to choose our response wisely.

To give a practical example, a few years ago one of my kids insisted he was not going to do his A levels despite having great potential to do well. My internal reaction was strong but I managed to stay calm. I was able to distance myself from my immediate reaction and reflect on the best way to respond.  When I responded calmly and acknowledged that I could see he was stressed he calmed down and in time went on to do well in his A levels.

Why do I think people put off when the benefits are so vast?

Maybe because it’s a little uncomfortable sitting still and focusing internally and there are misunderstandings about what it is . Maybe there’s a little fear of the unknown. And maybe we’re impatient for results.

But with anything worthwhile it takes time and practice to see meaningful results. And remember there are loads of different types so keep trying until you find one which resonates. It will change your life.

The question is, are you willing to try?