common misconceptions about meditation
written by Jasmine Irven
If you had told me a few years ago that I would end up being a meditation teacher, I’m not sure I would have believed you.
Not that I was ever against the concept, but I had this preconceived notion that it “wasn’t for me” or that I didn’t need it (although I was the biggest stress basket around so what gave me that idea, I have no idea). I think when I pictured meditation I pictured old male spiritual gurus sitting on cushions for hours on end and as such I just didn’t see myself in that capacity.
But, when I started my corporate job after graduating and my health and wellness essentially went out the window, I turned to meditation to try and give myself some space and time to myself.
It clicked, and now my favourite thing is convincing other “nay-sayers” of the profound effects meditation can have on your mind, body, and soul.
If you’re a doubter, I’d definitely recommend attending one of my 30-minute relaxation classes and hopefully I can convince you that there’s really nothing to lose by taking some time to yourself to unwind and relax at the end of the day.
And, I’ve compiled a list of some of the most common misconceptions I hear about meditation to try and debunk them for you.
meditation is super woo-woo
This is a pretty common misconception; one I had myself. This concept that meditation is only for spiritual gurus or is linked solely with silent retreats up in the mountains. In the past meditation has had a major PR problem, and I think the community is still trying to recover from it.
But the reality is that meditation is for everyone, and as the profound impacts on health and stress continue to be discovered, it continues to become more and more normalized. From tech offices to kids in classrooms, meditation offers an opportunity to go inwards, relieve stress, and connect with your breath.
meditation is about clearing your mind
Many people believe that you need to completely clear your mind to have a “successful” meditation practise but that’s simply not the case! Meditation is about creating separation between your mind and thoughts. It’s about recognizing that you are not your thoughts, and givng yourself grace when thoughts and feelings inevitably come up. Rather than allowing your thoughts and feelings to take over, it’s about acknowledging them, but also allowing them to pass without judgement.
mind wandering and distractions ruin a meditation practise
Going along with that, is this concept that these thoughts or distractions are a bad thing, that they ruin your practise. The reality is that we need these distractions to strengthen our practise. If we didn’t continuously have thoughts pop into our mind there would be no point or benefit to meditation!
Meditation is about the practise of continuing to refocus your attention on your breath when you notice that your mind has wandered. If it didn’t take time or effort it wouldn’t be called a practise!
So instead of feeling frustrated each time your mind wanders, give yourself grace and simply redirect your attention to your breath, thanking this distraction for the opportunity it has given you to strengthen your meditation practise.
you have to meditate for a long time
Granted, some of the immense benefits of meditation (like literally rebuilding grey matter in your brain - how wild), require a more consistent and slightly lengthened meditation practise (studies seem to suggest at least 20-30 minutes daily), this is not required.
Especially when you’re just beginning it may be helpful to start with simply 3-5 minutes of closing your eyes and focusing on your breath, as sitting solely with yourself and your thoughts can seem daunting for many of us. And then, beyond that, simply try and incorporate meditation into your life when it feels good for you! If you learn to love it then a daily practise of 10-20 minutes in the morning or evening might be great, but regardless meditating for any length of time is better than none at all. We’re all unique. Lean into what works for you and your lifestyle.
you have to sit completely still in a certain position
There are so many different types of meditation. While sitting meditation is a popular style and is what is really promoted as the traditional style of meditation, there are many other ways to meditate depending on what works for you and your lifestyle. I still love a laying down relaxation meditation more than anything! I find it’s what allows me to drop in the quickest, and I always leave feeling renewed and relaxed.
Others find success with walking meditation, meditation through creativity, or simply finding moments throughout your day wherever you are to drop inwards and focus on your breath.
final thoughts
I hope this post is helpful in debunking some of the common misconceptions around meditation, and encouraging you to try it out!
If you’re looking for a simple practise to try, I have a number of 3-10 minute practises on my IGTV! Or if you’re looking for a live guided session, join one of my 30 minute classes.
Sending you much love and peace.
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about the author
Hey there! I’m Jasmine, founder of the Sustainable Bliss Collective, a Certified Meditation Teacher, and lover of all things self-care, slow-living, and personal development.
I believe that ambition and self-care can coexist, and as such I hope to encourage and inspire you to take care of yourself, breathe deeply, connect with who you are, manifest your dreams, enjoy the blissful moments of each day, and make an impact in this beautiful world we call home.
Connect with me on Instagram here!
