Meditation Is Not What You Think It Is
When you think of the word “meditation”, what comes to mind?
Whether you picture a person sitting cross-legged with their eyes closed forming circles with their fingers or a skinny old Eastern man with a flowing white beard chanting “om”, I am almost certain that everything you believe about meditation is false, or at least partially.
For part I in the meditation series, I’d like to clarify some common misconceptions about meditation. This way, it should make understanding and applying the parts to come much easier.
Misconception #1: meditation is only for spiritual (not religious) people.
While the Western concept of meditation has certain esoteric connotations, it is erroneous to think that the practice is solely reserved for the New Ageist or Dharmic follower. The beauty of meditation is that it may be implemented by either the holiest or the most secular of us. At its core, meditation is simply acceptance; it is accepting the present moment just as it is without any judgment or desire for it to be other than what it is. With right examination, we can find that this worldview is perfectly compatible with Abrahamic belief. By engaging in a genuinely mindful moment to wholly accept the present moment and the reality that accompanies it, it is as much an act of devotion towards one’s deity as it is an act of meditation.
Misconception #2: my mind is too active, so I am unable to meditate.
Everyone who’s ever meditated for even five seconds has had this thought run through their mind. It’s easy to compare our step one to someone else’s step 10,000, and for that reason we get discouraged and abandon the practice. As humans, we are experts at thinking that if we’re not natural prodigies at something then it’s just not for us. We believe that if we cannot quiet our thoughts at the first attempt then either we are to blame or the practice is. The reality is that meditation, like anything else worthwhile in life, requires consistency and intention for the fruits to sprout. And for the record, meditation is not about shutting down your thoughts (but that’s a topic for another part).
Misconception #3: I don’t have the luxury to sit down for 30 minutes every day and do nothing; I’m far too busy.
So sit down for 15 minutes, or 5, or 3, or even just for 10 seconds. The quantity of time meditating does not matter so much as the actual act of meditating itself. It is the practice (and consistency) that truly make the difference. Incorporating some time on a regular basis to be fully present in the world is not only an act of self-care, but also of selflessness, as your inner peace will surely make a real impact to those around you.
Misconception #4: meditation is simply for relaxation. Other than that, it serves no real purpose.
Relaxation is not the end goal of meditation, but rather a side-effect. Meditation is not meant to put us physically at ease, it is meant to put us mentally at ease. By contemplating intentionally, we can find that our mental struggles can be recognized, observed, understood, and overcome. Implementing the practice of meditation into your regular routine can quite literally change your entire outlook on life. There exist few other things that can make such a drastic impact on the way you live.
Misconception #5: with enough practice, meditation will make me “awake”.
Even the desire to enlightened is egoic. It is imperative to note that meditation itself will not flip an enlightenment switch; rather, it acts as a guide towards navigating your thoughts and getting to the root of them. The realizations that spring forth, then, are the true catalysts for change. The meditation simply held your hand.
There is an old Buddhist proverb that goes something like this:
Student: Master, if I meditate for 1 hour a day, how long until I gain enlightenment?
Master: Hmmm, 10 years.
Student: What if I meditate for 8 hours a day?
Master: Then it will take you 20 years.
