I wanted to take a moment to just go over a few common assumptions that I encounter from students around meditation. Let’s unlearn some of the myths of meditation!

Meditation is a Buddhist practice.

I can’t tell you how prevalent the thought is that Yoga is for the body and Meditation is a Buddhist practice. It’s not true at all…well, yes, Buddhism uses meditation as a main tool for self-realization, and so does Yoga. These two spiritual paths developed in the East thousands of years ago. There are many overlaps due to this context.

Modern Yoga focuses more on Yoga as a physical practice that focuses on well-being of the body. Traditionally, the focus of the body was only a small part of the focus of Yoga. Some paths of Yoga don’t have any emphasis on the body, like Bhakti Yoga and Karma Yoga. In the paths of Yoga that do focus on the body, Hatha Yoga, or mention the body, Raja Yoga, the body is used to direct focus inward and prepare the body for meditation. The body is one of the tools used in the beginning of this spiritual process.

Meditation is one of the key practices and processes in Traditional Yoga for Self-realization.

I should feel a certain way or see visions or hear things to be doing meditation ‘right.’

Getting attached to feeling a certain way when you meditate is just another way the mind distracts and keeps you from the process of meditation. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ when it comes to meditation. Each time you sit to meditate, let go of expectations or shoulds and be present to the experience. It will change and be different each time. This doesn’t mean you’re not doing it ‘right.’ 

Being attached to visions or things you may hear can also lead you astray.  These things may happen, but they are not the ‘goal,’ of Yogic meditation. The ‘goal’ over a long period of consistent practice is to realize the True Self. Visions and sounds are not the True Self. 

My mind just can’t stop. I just can’t meditate.

The mind’s job is to think. In the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna (student) tells Krishna (teacher) that the mind is “harder to subdue than the wind.” Krishna agrees and states that even though difficult, with consistent practice, slowly the mind can be subdued. The goal of Raja Yoga, written about in Patanjali Yoga Sutras, is “complete cessation of thought waves.” Meditation is a key practice to slowly cease all thoughts.

So, to sit down and think after a little bit, the mind will just be blissfully clear is an unachievable expectation. Meditation is a process that starts with the ‘doing’ of teaching the mind to concentrate on one-point. Over time, this practice will lead to longer periods of sustained concentration. This leads to the beginning of a meditative state, where there are no thoughts and the mind becomes one with the point of concentration.

Anyone can meditate. The importance is being honest where your mind is at and meeting it with practices that help it move towards concentration and focus. You have to unlearn the modern expectation of instant gratification. Meditation helps to unlearn this if you’re willing to commit to a regular meditation practice.

LEARN MORE

What are some of the excuses your mind comes up with that keep you from a regular meditation practice?  

If you have a desire to create a regular meditation practice, I have two opportunities for you to learn all about Yogic meditation:

• An in-person, 2-part workshop on 01/23/22 at Yoga Off Broadway in Eagle, CO: Introduction to Pranayama and Introduction to Meditation.
• A 4-week, online course: “Learn to Meditate.” It’s available to start anytime!

The physical practice of Yoga is what got me hooked and the practice of meditation is what has deepened my commitment to a daily practice, as well as created a more calming and content mind. You deserve to dive into a meditation practice!

Namaste.