Youve probably heard that meditation can be beneficial, but how much do you actually know about it? Many aspects of meditation are often misunderstood or misinterpreted. Lets debunk some of these myths so you can start reaping the rewards.

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In its purest form, meditation is about focusing on emptiness. However, you dont have to do that. Meditation is effective as long as you merely minimise distracting thoughts.

Mindfulness meditation is perhaps the most accessible form of meditation. And as psychologist Mike Brooks puts it, with mindfulness meditation, its not about clearing your mind and more about focusing on one thing:

People think the goal of meditation is to empty the mind. Its not about clearing the mind; its about focusing on one thing. When the mind wanders, the meditation isnt a failure. Our brain is like a wayward puppy, out of control. Catching it and putting it back to the object of focus is the mediation.

It can be as simple as focusing on your breath, which is my favourite technique for accessible meditation. Count one when you inhale, two when you exhale and keep going. As you breathe, your mind will wander and other thoughts will come rushing to you. The trick is to not let those thoughts fester; make a conscious effort to always go back and focus on your breathing.

Meditation has roots in ancient Buddhist and Hindu philosophy, but by no means does it require you to be religious. Even the Dalai Lama says you can be a believer or a non-believer and yet meditate. The New York Times says:

Though the concept originates in ancient Buddhist, Hindu and Chinese traditions, when it comes to experimental psychology, mindfulness is less about spirituality and more about concentration: the ability to quiet your mind, focus your attention on the present, and dismiss any distractions that come your way.

Like with any such ancient practice, religious elements can creep into meditation, like chanting the mantra Om. However, the word doesnt matter; the benefit lies in repeating any word, according Harvard physician Herbert Benson, who wrote about his studies on the matter in The Relaxation Response. Meditation guide Olivia Rosewood summarises his ideas:

Whats interesting about these studies is that they have found it doesnt matter what you repeat, whether it is Hail Marys, Sankrit mantras, or your mothers maiden name. It is the repetition for at least 20 minutes that leads to pronounced responses of peace in the body and mind.

Continued here:
Five Common Myths About Meditation Debunked