Quit Falling Into These Meditation Traps
Too often I hear people say “meditation doesn’t work for me because I can’t clear my mind.” This is often followed by “___________ is my meditation”. Fill in the blank with running, painting, knitting, reading…
Within the last decade, we’ve witnessed mass adoption of meditation across the globe. This ancient practice is readily accessible to anyone with a smartphone thanks to the plethora of meditation apps available today.
While intentions are well founded, statements like the above reflect misconstrued ideas of the true essence of meditation.
Truth is, we have over 60,000 thoughts per day. If you think 10 minutes of stillness is going to help you rid of your thoughts, then you’re in for an uphill battle. Further, the objective of eliminating one’s thoughts implies that thoughts are inherently bad and undesired. Nothing couldn’t be further from the truth. Your thoughts are powerful and it is with our thoughts, that we can create new possibilities.
Running, painting, etc. offer foster a deep sense of presence due to the intense focus required. This mindfulness is often mistaken as meditation. But mindfulness is only a single aspect of mediation.
So, what is meditation?
Meditation is an intentional practice that trains your awareness, attention and compassion. It’s like going to the gym, but for your brain. There are many types of meditation practices, each with its unique purpose and benefits.
A few to name are:
- focused meditation
- transcendental meditation
- zen meditation
- mantra meditation
- loving kindness meditation
How do you know where to start? Through research, you will identify which practices resonate with you more than others.
Pick ONE and practice it EVERYDAY.
Like learning to play the piano, time on your meditation cushion is your rehearsal space and life off the cushion is the recital. The more consistent you are with your practice, the greater the benefit you will reap in your daily life. Whether it’s during an argument with your partner or navigating a stressful situation at work, your meditation practice will help you build greater self-awareness and control over your emotional response which puts YOU in the driver’s seat.
