Debunking some other common meditation myths

In the last post I looked at a misconception about stopping thoughts in meditation.  But there are a number of other myths about meditation as well, myths that have become more widespread as awareness of the practice has grown.  These myths can make meditation seem more intimidating or exclusive than it really is, and can leave many feeling meditation isn’t for people like them.  But at Practical Meditation we really want to get the message across that meditation is for everyone, and having a better understanding of what meditation is, and what it isn’t, can help with this.

So in this post, I’m going to come at eight common myths about meditation.  And hopefully, by setting the record straight, I can provide some clarity and show there’s plenty of room to explore meditation in a way that feels right for you.

Myth 1: Meditation is religious

One of the most common misunderstandings about meditation is the idea that it’s a religious practice.  It’s true that meditation has roots in spiritual and religious traditions like Buddhism and Hinduism.  But the practice itself isn’t religious.  At its core, meditation is simply a technique for training the mind in certain ways.  Think of it as akin to physical exercise.  In the same way physical exercise shapes the body, meditation shapes the mind.

To meditate you don’t need to subscribe to any particular set of beliefs.  Many people just like you practice meditation solely for its mental and physical health benefits, things like reducing stress, improving focus, or enhancing their emotional well-being.  Meditation is a versatile tool that can be adapted to fit your personal beliefs and needs.

Myth 2: There’s only one way to meditate

Another misconception is that there’s only one way to meditate.  Usually this view is that it’s sitting still and focusing on your breath.  But meditation comes in many forms, and there’s no single “right” way to do it.

There are practices where you focus on the present moment; loving-kindness meditation, which involves cultivating feelings of compassion for yourself and others; body scans, where you notice sensations throughout your body; and many more too.  Each form of meditation has different potential benefits, and what works for one person might not be the best fit for another.

At Practical Meditation, we encourage you to explore different types of meditation and find the one that resonates with you.  The key is to approach it with curiosity and an open mind.

Myth 3: Meditation is passive, or navel-gazing

Some people think of meditation as a self-indulgent activity that involves sitting around and doing nothing.  But meditation isn’t passive or self-centred at all.  In fact, again like physical exercise, meditation can be tough, and requires effort and persistence.  When you sit with your thoughts, emotions, and distractions, it can be a challenge (believe me!) but meeting that challenge will build inner resilience and strength over time.

You wouldn’t expect a good workout to feel effortless, and meditation is often the same.  But through the process, you will learn to be more present with yourself and develop greater awareness, bringing a deeper sense of clarity, empathy, and connection with both yourself and the world around you.

And far from being a self-centred activity, meditation actually helps you become more attuned to others and to your environment.  It fosters a sense of compassion and empathy that extends well beyond the sessions themselves as you become better equipped to engage with life and relationships with a renewed sense of purpose and connection.

Myth 4: Meditation is incompatible with having passions or goals

Next up: the belief that meditation requires a detached, goal-free existence.  The truth is meditation isn’t about giving up your passions or ambitions; it’s about relating to them more mindfully.

And meditation can actually support your personal growth and aims by helping you develop focus, resilience, and clarity.  With practice, you will learn to be more present and to better navigate and move on from setbacks, making you more effective in pursuing your goals.  Meditation makes it easier to keep your mind steady and on track, which can be powerful when you’re working toward something important to you.

Myth 5: Meditation will eliminate sadness and challenges from your life

Obviously here at Practical Meditation we’re all about emphasising the good things that can come from meditation.  But it’s important as well to acknowledge that while meditation can help you develop a more balanced outlook and increase your overall well-being, it’s not a panacea that will erase all of life’s difficulties.  No matter how long you’ve been practicing, you’ll still face moments of sadness, frustration, and challenge; that’s what it is to be human.

But what meditation does offer is a way to change how you relate to these moments.  It helps you become less reactive during difficult times and less likely to head off down a rabbit hole of rumination.  Building this capacity for non-reactivity means you can navigate life’s ups and downs with greater calm and resilience.  It’s not about avoiding the discomfort but learning to face it with a little more kindness and patience.

Myth 6: Meditation is a "cure-all" for mental health issues

There’s good evidence that meditation has positive effects on mental health, such as reducing anxiety and depression and we’ve covered some of this in an earlier blog post.  However, it’s really important to say that meditation is not a substitute for professional mental health care.  If you’re dealing with serious mental health challenges then therapy, medication, or other kinds of support could be necessary.

Meditation can complement come other mental health treatments by offering a space for reflection and calm, but it’s not a magic bullet.  Think of it as one tool in your overall mental health toolkit—valuable, but not a replacement for other forms of care.  Again, the parallel we’ve drawn with physical exercise is helpful:  exercise has a huge role to play in keeping you healthy and fit and is a really good idea generally, but you wouldn’t use it on its own to treat a serious illness.  Same thing with meditation.

Myth 7: Meditation is time-consuming

A common reason people give for not meditating is that they don’t have time.  And it’s true that many people are time poor.  But meditation doesn’t have to be a time-consuming practice.  Even just 10 minutes or so a day can make a difference.

You can incorporate meditation into your daily routine in small ways, like taking a few mindful breaths before starting work or using a guided meditation app during your lunch break.  It’s generally more important to be consistent than to have long sessions and by starting small, you can build a habit that fits easily into your life.

And if you’re still sceptical about whether you have enough time to give yourself the gift of all the benefits that can come from mediation then just take a look at the screen time information on your phone and ask yourself if you could find 10 minutes a day amongst that!

Myth 8: Meditation requires you to sit in a particular way

So many of the pictures we see of people meditating show them sitting cross-legged with perfect posture on a highly polished wooden floor in a beautifully designed studio somewhere.  But in reality, meditation can be practiced pretty much anywhere and in many different positions.

You can meditate sitting in a chair, lying down, standing, or even walking.  What matters most is that you’re comfortable enough to focus, but not so comfortable that you’re likely to drift off to sleep.  The key is to find a posture that allows you to relax while staying alert.  There’s no need to force your body into a particular shape; just focus on what feels right for you.

Myth 9: Meditation is only for certain types of people

Some people think meditation is only for the spiritually inclined, or those with a certain personality or lifestyle.  But meditation is for everyone, regardless of age, background, or temperament.

One meditation teacher I personally love to listen to is Vinny Ferraro.  Amongst other things, Vinny teaches meditation to people in American prisons.  And listening to Vinny talk about his personal history, his journey, and his work now, you realise that you don’t need to be calm, peaceful or have your s**t together already to benefit from taking up meditation.

At Practical Meditation, we want everyone to feel that meditation is a practice they can try. It’s all about finding what works for you and making it your own.

Conclusion

We’ve covered a lot of ground in this post, from myths about meditation’s religious roots to misconceptions about time commitment and postures.  My hope is that by understanding more about what meditation is and isn’t, you can approach your practice with more openness and less pressure.

Remember, meditation doesn’t have to be complicated or rigid.  It’s a flexible, personal practice that can adapt to your needs and lifestyle.  So, if you’ve been hesitant to give it a try because of these myths, I hope this post has given you a new perspective.

Meditation is about exploring your inner world with curiosity and kindness.  So why not take a few minutes today to sit down, take a deep breath, and see what you discover?  It’s your journey, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.