Top 5 Meditation Myths | Why You Should Meditate

So, what are some of the prevailing myths about meditation? Here are five big meditation myths that you should be aware of!

Myth 5: Meditation is for Buddhist and hippies who live on mountain tops

Meditation is not only reserved for Buddhists and hippies! Due to technological advances in the ways in which we communicate and gather information, more and more people are now starting to learn about meditation.

Some notable practitioner of meditation are Hugh Jackman, Russell Brand, Katy Perry, Oprah Winfrey as well as Ray Dalio, and the late Steve Jobs. You do not need to be born in a region of the world or follow a religion or philosophy to meditate. Everyone has access to the breath, so everyone has access to meditation. It does not discriminate.

Myth 4: Meditation is a waste of time

Upon inspection of a meditator, one might assume that they are wasting their time. Although nothing of significance will be occurring on the outside, a great deal is happening on the inside. Meditation has been shown to have many benefits that have been scientifically backed up.
Some of the common benefits of meditation are:

• Increase in immune function
• Increase in positive emotion
• Decrease in depression
• Decrease in anxiety
• Decrease in stress

The research papers that back up these benefits and much more are all linked in this article:

There have literally been hundreds of studies done on meditation, the science is only beginning to catch up on the wisdom of this ancient technique.

Myth 3: You must sit down in the lotus position and say ‘hmmmmm’ when you meditate

There are many ways in which one can meditate, you are not restricted to the lotus position or loud chants. Meditation is versatile, allowing you to pick the best practice that suits your individual circumstances.

Some of the different forms of meditation include walking meditation, mindfulness (vipassana) meditation, transcendental meditation, chanting meditation and more. There is a vast selection, different styles put emphasis on different things, however, all of them are positive.

You are not limited to the lotus position, matter of fact, many people don’t even have the flexibility for the position! If you want you can sit in a chair or stand up, in some cases even lie down. Do what feels comfortable and allows you to continue the practice without difficulty.

Myth 2: Meditation is religious

A huge myth that many subscribe to, is this idea of meditation being religious in origin. Meditation should be seen in the same light as exercise is seen for the body. Meditation is an exercise for the mind, it does not intrinsically require you to pray to any deity.
Christians, Jews, Muslims, and everything in between can meditate without contradicting their faith.

An atheist can meditate without having to read into any spiritual dogma. Sam Harris is an atheist who is a big proponent of meditation, Vipassana style. He is active against many of the established religions, yet frequents meditation retreats.

Your meditation practice and your faith can be left as two separate things. Once again, meditation is for everyone.

Myth 1: You shouldn’t have any thoughts when you meditate

Many people are under the false assumption that to meditate properly, one should not have any thoughts. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The mind is like muddy water if you leave it for a while the water will start to clear up. Although it might appear clear, from time to time mud particles will still float around

You will never be able to rid yourself of thoughts forever, to do so will render you an automaton. When you meditate the aim isn’t to become a robot who doesn’t think. The aim is to increase your control over your own mind.

Thoughts will appear from time to time, but you no longer must follow them in their wake. You become the observer of thoughts as they arise within your awareness, you learn how to control your ship.

Emotional impulses will arise as well, meditation allows you to better understand them. To observe them as you would a thought, and to separate your sense of self from them.

The world is changing

I invite you to begin a meditation practice. The world is changing, and people are quickly starting to see the power and importance of meditation. We have been bamboozled by our outer worlds, distracted by our circumstances to the point of neglecting our inner worlds.
Meditation allows you to rekindle that connection with yourself through allowing you to discern the mechanisms of your own mind. Observing the trap is always crucial if one plans to escape from it, meditation is your lens.

[becoming_conscious]

This channel should definitely have a lot more subscribers, these videos are amazing. It's funny because you talked about Sam Harris and I'm currently animating a video on his book Waking Up where I talk about nearly the same point that Spirituality(regarding vipassana meditation practices) isn't tied any religions, or that it can be practiced without any religious affiliation and by anyone.

[health-gadgets]

I've been meditating a lot lately. It helps with life so much.

[KartikSharma-lstp]

Another great vid. 👌
Would love to know what kind of meditation you do, and at what time?

[fg]

Hahah Number 1 was definitely a big factor in my meditation experience. There was a pretty good headspeace advertisment that illustrated the point kinda well.

[cosmicdoggo]

I meditate allow the time when I walk sit wen I work wen ewer I feel like it

[supersean]

I was meditating a while ago and i noticed thoughts would sometimes enter my mind during the day unconsciously, (not all the time but sometimes) i say unconsciously because it felt different than when i'm consciously thinking. the weird thing is the unconscious thought would describe a scenario and then that scenario would happen soon after. is this what you mean with the last myth you mention?

[smartgirlnye]

Meditation not finna be taught in skips my guy maybe yoga but if everyone meditated they would be getting the answers and be at clairvoyance so most people would be successful just from being that evolved