12 mindfulness myths
1) Mindfulness = positive thinking
Mindfulness is awareness of whatever state you’re in - the good, the bad and the neutral. It is finding stillness and an ability to detach from whatever thought or feeling. Being mindful.
2) Mindfulness is a quick fix
Mindfulness is a conscious choice. It’s a practice. It takes discipline to shift your perspective and to unlearn lifelong destructive patterns. Mindfulness is awareness of the present moment without judgement, which takes daily practice and a lot of time.
3) Mindfulness is the ultimate cure for everything wrong in my life
Mindfulness won’t make our stress or pain go away, but if we meditate regularly and incorporate it in our lives, it will change the way we approach unpleasantness.
4) Mindfulness = religion
Although initially founded on Buddhist practices, some of its central teachings stem from ancient Hebrew scripture and today is taught in countless secular ways.
5) Mindfulness practice = full relaxation
You might relax when you meditate but then you might not – this doesn’t mean you are doing it wrong. We are not practicing to achieve any particular mind state but merely noticing our experience whatever it may be.
6) Mindfulness is about trying to empty our mind of thoughts
Rather we are learning to see our thoughts as passing mental events and respond to them (on interpreting them) with greater accuracy, less judgement and more openness to possibilities.
7) I’m too distracted to focus
While it is the nature of the mind to be busy and always looking for new things, when we practice, we are learning to let go of our thoughts and return to the point of focus (such as the breath). Our mind will quickly wander again, and the instruction remains the same: as soon as you realize your mind has gone for a walk, acknowledge it and bring it back to the focus without any judgement.
8) Living in the moment means living without any regard to the future and consequences
All we really have is the present moment. Mindfulness helps bring our attention to the present as opposed to being frustrated by the past or anxious for the future. Once we can attain trust, peace and stillness in the now, we are paying attention to our experience in the present moment. The present moment is the opportunity to determine the future.
9) Long and infrequent sessions are more beneficial
Meditating for shorter amounts of time and more frequently is better for long term effects. When we wait until things get bad, we tend to want the quick fix. If we practice daily, even for 3 minutes, it adjusts and prepares your mind. Making mindfulness a part of everyday life is better for you than trying to push a long bout of meditation, information and saturating yourself with self help to make problems go away.
10) Mindfulness is sitting still or laying down
There are all types of meditation and mindfulness. We can mindfully walk, mindfully eat, mindfully communicate. We want to avoid thinking about your ‘to-do list’ or about something that has already happened. Simply be.
11) There is only one way to be mindful
Mindfulness is a subjective personal experience, so what might work for one person, might not work for another.
12) Learning mindfulness is a linear process
Often we have to learn the same lessons over and over, and sometimes our attention feels very focused, but then at other times very distracted. Just because we aren’t as patient as we’d like, if we fall asleep, if we aren’t as impacted by a meditation, that doesn’t mean we’re failing. Practicing mindfulness is a life-long journey that provides endless opportunities for learning.
