I hope you all have been enjoying our posts this month on health and the recipes that we’ve shared as well. Christmas and the New Year are around the corner and we are surrounded by festivities.
However, as the New Year will approach, everyone will be going back to their schedules, make new resolutions and get back to their life. So when you are back to your dreaded Mondays, how do you deal with them? How does one cope?
Mental health in today’s times is of utmost importance. We all are dealing with mental stresses in our lives, in different forms and most of the times, we really don’t know how to tackle those stresses. I am a believer of holistic health, which focuses on all aspects of a person- the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual.
For me, meditation has been my solution in the last couple of years. It’s basically my go-to thing whenever I am stressed, depressed or just feeling out of sorts.
I would love to speak about the benefits of meditation, but will probably do that in another post.
Today, I would like to bust a few myths surrounding meditation, since there are a lot of misconceptions about it out there. As a regular meditator, I find them absurd and untrue. Today, let’s discuss what meditation is ‘Not’.
Myth 1. You need to belong to a particular religion to practice meditation
Absolutely baseless! Whether you are a Hindu, a Buddhist, a Christian, a Jain, a Parsi, a Sindhi, a Muslim or anyone on earth, it has no connection whatsoever with practising meditation. Yoga and meditation are ancient practices that transcend everything. For meditation, there is no bar on any religion. In fact, meditation can bring religions, nations, and faiths together. Meditation has a scientific basis and millions of people around the globe benefit from it each day. So you can continue to practice your religion and meditate, both at the same time.
Myth 2. You can’t meditate because you think too much.
Everyone thinks. That’s not news. Everyone’s mind is running at all times, but that doesn’t mean you cannot meditate. A lot of good teachers or guided programs will teach you correct ways to meditate and to accept your thoughts as you continue doing it. Once you start practising, you will find it it’s not that difficult after all.
Myth 3. There is only one way to meditate.
Untrue. The world is varied and a lot of ways and people are available out there to help you start meditating. While meditation is spiritual, and it is present in a number of world religions, you don’t have to be religious or spiritually focused to practice it.
There are a 100 different ways to practice. Some even include combining movement and meditation. As long as they resonate with you and benefit you, you can go ahead and practice them.
Myth 4. Meditation is running way from problems
It is quite the contrary! Meditation instead gives the inner strength to cope up with day to day struggles and helps you deal better with the challenges in your life by helping you become more peaceful, centred and resilient. So, no, meditation is not about running away from problems but gaining strength to face them.
Myth 5. Meditation is concentration.
Meditation is basically de-concentration. It is all about letting go and going in a deep state of rest. Concentration is a result or a benefit of meditation, because as the mind relaxes, one can focus better and hence concentration is enhanced.
Myth 6. Meditation takes years to learn
While practicing meditation regularly for long periods of time definitely and surely has a lots of benefits, that doesn’t mean meditation cannot benefit you immediately. Even if you meditate for 10-20 mins in a day, you will see a lot of difference in yourself and find yourself much happier and calmer. So it doesn’t take a lot of time to learn, but yes practising it regularly and including it as a part of your daily routine is the best way to gain maximum benefit from it.
Myth 7. Meditation is for old people
Meditation is universal and adds value to lives of people of all age groups. One can start meditating at the tender age of eight or nine. In fact, people of all age groups find meditation relevant to them and the things that they are facing. Just like a shower keeps the body clean, meditation keeps the mind clear and stress-free.
Myth 8. Meditation means giving up everything and becoming a sanyasi (monk or recluse)
This is again one of the biggest misconceptions and a myth about meditation. Meditation infact teaches you to be a better person for yourself, your loved ones and the society. Since it helps you calm the mind, you can enjoy your life to the fullest. It helps you to be happy and make others around you happier as well. In fact, it teaches one to be more open and social. Leading a monk lifestyle is an individual’s choice, not a mandatory thing to start meditating.
Myth 9. Meditation is boring.
False. Meditation can be so much fun and beneficial both at the same time. If you include good music, chants, singing and a little bit of dancing in your meditation sessions, they are sure to be a lot of fun. In fact, meditation helps you feel more fresh and alive, quite contrary to boring I would say.
Myth 10. Meditation consumes a lot of time.
Many people have this excuse ready- I don’t have time to meditate. I would say the busier you are, the more you should be taking out some time to meditate and get in touch with your inner self. One need not sit for hours to meditate. A simple 10-20 mins of daily meditation is sufficient enough to benefit you.
So there you are. Those were the common myths surrounding meditation. Can you think of any others? Don’t wait, go ahead and start meditating now.
Don’t know where to start?
I have been involved in and inspired by, the following:
Learnt meditation, yoga and Sudarshan Kriya from-
The Art Of Living. Founded and led by Global Humanitarian personality Sri Sri Ravishankar ji.
Joined Daily Meditation Chain Group, attended workshops and undergone Lama Fera healing-
From Dr. Satyendra Shukla. founder of Lama Fera International ( Lama means someone who follows the Buddhist philosophy. )
Spiritual/ Wisdom Blogs I like:
So those looking for a start, do go through the links I have shared, read the articles by these people, find what resonates with you and choose your journey and of couse do share with us any information on this topic if you would like to.
Hope you enjoyed today’s post.
Stay tuned for the next post.
Till then
Dream. Imagine. Be Crazy. Be You.
Au revoir.
A Cupful Of Everything 