The 7 Most Common Misperceptions about Meditation

#1 Meditation is about getting rid of thought

The most common misconception is that meditation is about getting rid of thought. In order to dispel this misconception it is important to look at what meditation is.

Meditation is ultimately about “being aware of the truth of who you are beyond name and form.”

So with this definition we can see that it’s not about getting rid of thought, but about knowing the truth of who you are beyond the thoughts.

It is about becoming the observer of thought. In other words, you still have thoughts, yet you are not attached to them. You become the witnessing presence.

It’s important to remember that the mind (and thoughts) is form and that meditation is about knowing the truth of who you are beyond the form, beyond the mind (thoughts).

“Fighting” the mind or the thoughts doesn’t work. By fighting something (or resisting), you only give that which you are fighting more energy.

I know in the past when I first started meditating under the premise that meditation was about getting rid of thought, I was a failure because I had thoughts.

There was a lot of guilt and judgment about the thoughts. Yet now I know that meditation is about being aware of your true essence. Now if I have thoughts while meditating, I just notice them and go back to feeling the aliveness within.

And, ironically, as you practice meditation more and more (being aware of the truth of who you are) you will subsequently notice a decrease in incessant mind chatter. And you will notice that the incessant thoughts just drift by without carrying any weight. Without you being attached to them.

#2 There is a right way and a wrong way to meditate.

Since meditation is about being aware of the truth of who you are, there is no right way or wrong way. It’s really about finding what works for you.

While there are different “techniques” to help you realize the truth of who you are, it is ultimately about dropping the technique and BEING.

So we initially use the technique as a way to be aware of that place of peace within, and once we have that awareness we no longer need the technique.

#3 Meditation involves sitting in a certain position or saying a certain mantra with your eyes closed

Again, since meditation is about being aware of the truth of who you are, you can do this sitting, standing or lying down. You can experience this truth with your eyes open or closed. And you don’t have to say a mantra, listen to music, or lock yourself away in solitude.

Ideally, a meditation practice is about living from a place of awareness (consciousness) and being able to “meditate” during any situation and under any circumstance.

#4 Meditation is a quiet, passive process

I used to think this because I always seemed to fall asleep while “trying” to meditate.

Yet being aware of the truth of who you are is a blissful, joyous process. It is rejuvenating to feel that aliveness within...Really it is quite a rush!

I absolutely love meditation now because it’s such a blissful experience. And I definitely don’t fall asleep!

#5 You must eliminate distractions in order to meditate

In the past, when I tried to meditate with meditation CD’s I’d lock myself in a room and turn off the phone. Yet if there were any distractions I’d become irritated and feel like a failure.
At the level of form there will ALWAYS be distractions!

Meditation isn’t about NOT having distractions, it’s about allowing those “distractions” not be distractions.

Distractions don’t have to be a distraction. They can be a tool to go deeper into meditation. You can even use distractions as part of your meditation.

For example, once while facilitating a meditation (and meditating too) my cat came up and started “meowing.” He wanted attention. I opened my eyes and pet him while still feeling my inner essence. So petting the cat became my meditation.

If there is a distraction during meditation, you can tend to things and do what you need to do on the level of form while still feeling the aliveness within.

6) You need the right atmosphere to meditate

Previously when I explored meditation, I was led to believe that you needed certain music to meditate, or to light a candle.
While these “rituals” can be used to create a space, they are not necessary. I don’t even listen to music while I meditate. I think it’s important to not become dependent upon listening to music or lighting a candle in order to meditate.

Then you’ll be able to meditate anywhere, under any circumstance. Even in a crowded shopping mall.

Daily activities become a chance to meditate. I literally meditate while emptying the dishwasher, grocery shopping and even conversing with others!

#7 Meditation should involve a specific outcome

The biggest problem I have observed while instructing others to meditate is that they try to make the meditation into an outcome, a place to get to.

While meditating stop trying to GET anywhere, and just notice that which you ARE. If you make it into a goal, then you either achieve or fail at the level of form.

Often we use words (myself included) to describe meditation as “getting to that place of perfect peace” which in not entirely correct because you already ARE that peace. It’s just a matter of “knowing” that. And it’s not an intellectual knowing but a Knowing.

So give up trying to get anywhere through meditation and allow yourself to be.

Once you shed these common misconceptions about meditation and realize that meditation is about knowing the truth of who you are, meditation becomes a blissful, joyous process and daily activities become a chance to meditate. Your life literally becomes a meditation.