Six Unfortunate Mindfulness Myths
In this episode of the podcast, I’m covering six common mindfulness myths – things I think people often get wrong about mindfulness and meditation. Don’t let these trip you up, or stop you before you even start!
Episode Details:
I hate to see people miss out on the benefits of mindfulness because they’ve heard a confusing mix of messages about how it works.
Some of these myths have unfortunately convinced a lot of people that they can’t meditate, even if they are interested in the idea of mindfulness. And, some of the other misconceptions I’ll talk about are actually worries people have that mindfulness might take them in the wrong direction, or make them feel worse.
Photo: Kenny Eliason via Unsplash
The 6 mindfulness myths you’ll hear about:
- that mindfulness is just a mental exercise and not connected to the body
- mindfulness is all about concentrating on a single focal point
- you need to get rid of your thoughts to practice mindfulness
- that mindfulness leads to hyper-vigilance and self-consciousness, and can increase pain or anxiety
- mindfulness is just a tool for performing tasks more efficiently
- that mindfulness is an altered state, dissociation, or an escape from reality
None of the above should be true, if you are learning Mindfulness Meditation from a well-trained teacher or a reliable source. However, the term “mindfulness” is used so widely these days in a variety of contexts, and there is a lot of confusion.
I’ll be talking about mindfulness practices that come from the Buddhist tradition (Vipassana, or Insight Meditation), which is also the root source of secular programs like Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). I hope this will help you understand how those teachings differ from other forms of meditation, and why these concerns about mindfulness are untrue.
So, let’s bring clarity to the confusion and break down these mindfulness myths!
Resources and Links from this episode:
There are several previous episodes you can listen to, if you’d like to go deeper on a particular mindfulness myth!
- Episode 52: Mindful vs. Mindless – debunks the idea of mindfulness as self-consciousness or over-thinking a task
- Episode 60: Meditation Myth: You Need to Get Rid of Your Thoughts – more explanation about Mindfulness of Thinking
- Episode 35: So You Think You Can’t Meditate (Part 3): Anxiety and Strong Emotions – nuanced discussion on how to practice with challenging mind states and emotions
And, this was a great conversation on the Brain-Body Resilience Podcast, with some similar themes: “Busting Myths of Mindfulness and Meditation.” As a guest on the podcast, I got to talk with host Jessica Patching-Bunch about what mindfulness is (and isn’t). And, we also talked about the ways that mindfulness can improve our relationship with the body. (Her podcast is another excellent resource!)
I also mentioned the Teacher Masterclass series, which is a gathering space for teachers of yoga, movement, and mindfulness. Check HERE to sign up for our next meetup!
P.S. If you are interested in more personalized guidance for your practice, you might consider my private sessions. I offer one-on-one mindfulness coaching sessions, which can help you start (or refine) a traditional meditation practice, create a stillness-free alternative meditation practice, or build on your mindful movement or yoga practice. These sessions can also include specific conversations on how mindfulness can help you navigate stress, change, or a life situation you’re going through. We can personalize the tools and techniques to fit what you currently need, so you can find more ease, wisdom, and meaning every day.
