There are many myths about mindfulness. While mindfulness is increasingly written about in mainstream media, it is not always easily understood. Here are some of the common misconceptions.
Myth 1: Mindfulness and meditation are the same thing
Mindfulness is sometimes mentioned synonymously with meditation. And while meditation is related to mindfulness, it is not the same thing. Mindfulness is a quality, a way of being and of relating to yourself and your environment. Meditation is a practice. You can improve your mindfulness by practicing meditation. However, the two are not synonymous. There are lots of ways to be mindful in addition to formal practices of meditation.
Myth 2: Mindfulness conflicts with certain religions
Even though mindfulness was originally taught by The Buddha, there is no belief system attached. Mindfulness is a way to enrich your life by being present to your moment-by-moment experience. It can be practiced alongside any other devotional acts or modes of worship.
Myth 3: Mindfulness means clearing your mind
Your mind experiences upwards of 50,000 thoughts and feelings a day – stopping that is an impossibility. Expecting your mind to be quiet, and finding that thoughts and feelings continuously interrupt, is probably one of the main reasons people try mindfulness and give up. They think they have failed. In fact, noticing what you are thinking and feeling is a success. It is part of the practice. Mindfulness is not about stopping your thoughts, but about helping you not to get caught up in them.
Myth 4: Mindfulness is easy
It can be, but it is not always. Remembering to be mindful is a skill that requires cultivation and practice, like any other. You can build your mindfulness ‘muscles’ with regular practice. It can take at least two months of regular ie five our of seven days to create the changes in the brain that help you sustain habits towards being more present.
Myth 5: Mindfulness is pleasant
Sometimes! However, the present moment experience is not always enjoyable. But with mindfulness, you can learn to be present to whatever is happening, without judgement and with compassion for yourself. With this spirit of acceptance, you can make peace with what is, so the present moment becomes less distressing. There is a proverb about pain consisting of two arrows. The first arrow is the injury itself (pain), the second is your opinion, thoughts, and feelings about the injury (suffering). It is not always possible to prevent all pain, but the suffering element can be reduced with mindfulness.
Myth 6: Mindfulness is always safe and effective
It is safe and effective for most people. However, this does not make mindfulness right for everyone. While mindfulness teaching can be very therapeutic, it is not a substitute for professional medical care. Learning to be more aware of thoughts and feelings can bring up increased levels of anxiety or distress, as issues you may not have been conscious of come up to the surface. In this situation it helps to be working with a teacher, who can guide you on when to change your practice, and when to seek help.
