Like any practice that has increased in popularity all over the world, misconceptions about meditation abound as it spreads from one place to another.

Here, we’ll debunk some of the common meditation myths that could be hindering your path to a more conscious life:

1. Meditation means sitting in lotus position

   Although the full lotus position is a classic pose for meditation, you do not necessarily have to use it if you find it uncomfortable or painful. Forcing yourself to adopt a full lotus will only hinder your ability to concentrate and defeat the purpose of meditation. You can try half-lotus, or even sitting on a chair or a meditation stool if that is more comfortable for you. But never compromise your safety for comfort. Always keep your spine and neck upright and neutral to prevent causing any injury to them.

2. Meditation is a form of relaxation

   Do not confuse meditation with relaxation. Relaxation helps to calm you down, especially when you are feeling stressed, while meditation is about being fully aware of the present moment. But, many people find it useful to relax themselves first before meditating. Because you are likely to have difficulty sitting still if there is a lot of tension within you that may manifest in the form of stiff muscles or agitated mind. If that’s the case, do the relaxation technique first before a meditation session.

3. Meditation always involves visualization

   In visualization, you intentionally create images in your mind and then picture them as vividly as you can as though they are real. It is a powerful and effective method for healing, manifestation as well as relaxation. Some forms of meditation include visualization as part of their practice. But essentially, they are two different things when you look at them closely. In meditation, you are not required to consciously create any mental images.

4. Meditation gives you psychic power

   Sitting still won’t bestow you with any extraordinary power. The only ‘power’ you will get out of it is mindfulness and the ability to stay in the present. Neither will you suddenly transform into Mother Theresa, Dalai Lama, or someone else with exceptional inner qualities by meditating. Meditation is about being who you really are.

5. Meditation is about detaching from your desires and feelings

   Some people mistaken meditation as a practice to detach from your thoughts, desires and emotions so that you are unmoved by them. But, to do so is to separate or remove yourself from them, effectively splitting yourself into different versions. That is not meditation; it is self-denial. In meditation, you are not running away from yourself. On the contrary, you are trying to get as close to yourself as you possibly can.

6. Meditation is about becoming enlightened

   Many people meditate in the hope of getting something out of it. Some do it to improve their health; some do it for the sense of bliss, peace, happiness, or enlightening experience that they have tasted during meditation. While there is nothing wrong with setting an overall objective for your practice, you risk limiting your experience when meditation becomes too result-driven. By saying “I must get this, this and this by the end of this session, or by end of this month”, you predetermine the outcome of your practice and leave no room for your true nature to reveal itself in a way that is most appropriate for your circumstances.

   Each type of meditation has its purpose and objective. Find one that helps you to achieve the result you want, then leave all your expectations aside and just meditate.

7. Meditation is about emptying the mind

   Even if it is possible to empty your mind for extended period of time, doing so will be no different from denying your own thoughts. As discussed in myth #5, in meditation we are not trying to run away or hide from ourselves. Instead, it is like an investigation into the depths of our mind and opening ourselves completely to any thoughts, emotions and physical sensations that arise without trying to change or identify with them in any way.

8. Meditation is a religious activity

   No doubt it has been closely associated with a number of religions such as Buddhism. But, meditation by its very nature is religion neutral, because it does not require you to believe or place your faith on some external higher beings. Like walking or running, anyone with or without any belief can practice it. You do, however, need to have the courage to face yourself, because in meditation it is purely between you and your thoughts.

9. Meditation alters your state of mind

   Experiencing a trance-like state as if you are high on drugs is not what meditation is about. Instead, it is about confronting the mental images that arises from your mind and observing how they interact in a non-judgmental and compassionate way.

10. Meditation is a quick fix for all your problems

    While it is true that meditation can help to increase your problem-solving ability by enhancing your clarity of mind, it is not an instant solution. It takes consistent efforts and time to meditate before you develop mindfulness that permeates into everything you do in life. Meditation is not something that you whip out whenever you need a quick confidence booster.

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