Meditation: Unveiling Myths and Uncovering Facts

Have you ever felt like the external world is making you feel shrunk inside? You may find life stressors growing so rapidly that they push you inside, leaving you feeling drained, exhausted, and lacking motivation and satisfaction in life. If yes, then you need to practice meditation daily. Even if not, you still need it to prevent any state of burnout, which is a serious problem in the modern busy days. In any case, practicing meditation is far more beneficial than not doing it.

What does meditation mean? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, meditation means: “to engage in mental exercise (such as concentration on one's breathing or repetition of a mantra) for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness”

Simply put, meditation works like iCloud for our brain. Our mind has a limited capacity to store information. Meditation is like connecting your mind to a vast, unlimited space to function better and more efficiently. Who doesn’t want that, right? Then why haven’t you tried it yet?

Any new experience can be difficult to start. Why? Because our brain is designed to preserve its energy in any way possible to ensure our survival. In our brain’s world, building a new habit means generating new neuropathways, which consumes energy and effort, and guess what, our brain is not fond of that! What should you do then? Start with small steps, which means practicing it for 5 minutes a day until it becomes a habit.

Myths:

Meditation is scary, I don’t know where my mind will go!

Many people think sitting in meditation might connect them to some unknown realm and they might not be able to come back again to their daily life! This is not true. Meditation is simply a different mode of being in time that fosters wellbeing and expanded focus and is not necessarily a spiritual or intense practice of traveling to different realms. Although, I have to say that if you are under the influence of any substances, you might experience different content of your unconscious memory resurfacing, and if you are not experienced enough, it’s not recommended to practice meditation in these states.

I need a mentor or a guru, I don’t know where to start!

While it is always good to inhabit new skills and routines under the guidance of some experienced mentors, it is not necessary. You have all the resources to do it yourself! It’s just a matter of choice and dedicating time and space to it. All you need is a quiet, distraction-free space where you can sit with your eyes closed and anchor your attention to your breaths. Take long deep breaths for 5 minutes every morning and every night. As simple as that!

Meditation is Zen or Buddhism!

Not true! Meditation is label-free. It’s like oxygen; at hand to everyone, regardless of their beliefs, race, nationality, or gender. It’s up to you to consume this oxygen mindfully and regularly or block it with limiting beliefs.

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Facts:

Meditation is challenging

Meditation can be challenging, especially for beginners. It’s normal to experience discomfort, restlessness, or frustration. These challenges are part of the process and can lead to growth and deeper self-awareness. It’s always helpful to start with small steps and then expand them.

Meditation is beneficial to the brain

True! Numerous studies have shown that meditation can significantly reduce stress levels by lowering the production of stress hormones such as cortisol. Brain scans of those who practice meditation daily have shown significant differences compared to those who don’t.

Brain scans of meditators and non-meditators. Areas of the brain affected by aging (in red) are fewer and less widespread in people who meditate, bottom row, than in people who don’t meditate. ( Source: neurosciencenews)

Meditation practices, particularly mindfulness meditation, have been shown to enhance attention span and increase the ability to concentrate. Mindfulness meditation involves maintaining continuous openness to the present moment and can be achieved through regular daily practice.

It’s always beneficial to practice meditation under the supervision of a trained professional. I am a certified hypnotherapist and a clinical counsellor who uses various modalities to teach simple meditation techniques to my clients. If you are unsure where to start, contact me, and we can discuss the best ways to support you on this journey to a deeper connection with your inner world.

I'm Nikta Niazi. Ready to explore the benefits of meditation and receive personalized guidance? Book a totally free discovery call with me today. Click the link below to get started on your journey to inner peace and well-being.

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