Scientists have found that meditation can boost your mental health, reduce stress levels, and relieve chronic pain.
Classic yoga and meditation texts also tell us that meditation can help you see the world — and your own mind — more clearly. This enables you to develop greater focus, stillness, and compassion.
But meditation only works if you do it. Many people, though, are turned off because of misconceptions about this ancient practice. Don’t let these keep you from trying meditation or sticking with it.
You have to be able to “stop thinking”
While meditation does help you quiet the mind, you won’t stop thinking completely. Thoughts are natural (and they mean you are still alive). With regular meditation, though, you can find more “space” between your thoughts. Over time, it becomes easier to keep your mind from racing all over the place (what some teachers call “monkey mind”).
Meditation is all about being still and quiet
There are many types of meditation. Some involve sitting still and focusing on your breath or another “object of meditation.” But you can also practice meditation while moving, such as while washing dishes, walking, or doing yoga poses. This is called mindfulness meditation and involves focusing on the task at hand.
Meditation is a religious practice
It’s true that meditation is an important part of religions like Buddhism and spiritual yoga. Even some Christians practice a form of meditation, or contemplation. But many types of meditation, like Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, work for anyone, regardless of their religious beliefs.
All meditation is the same
There are many types of meditation, each with a different technique and purpose. Some involve focusing on an object like the breath, but others ask you to visualize an object such as flowing water or the moon rising over the horizon. Other types of meditation involve developing compassion or gratitude.
Meditation works right away
You may start to notice the benefits of meditation after your first session, but many people need to practice regularly for several weeks before they see changes. The good thing is you don’t have to meditate for hours — even just 5 minutes a day of meditation can have a big impact.
