8 Myths About Mindfulness
Discover some myths about mindfulness, which allows us to become aware of our movements, feelings and reactions. All of these facets are crucial in our life and experience in the present. That’s why it’s very useful to put it into practice, to get off the autopilot on which we operate a good part of the day.
On the other hand, mindfulness has become something of a fad or recipe for everything. However, its origins are not as current compared to what some might think. As well as this misconception, there are a number of preconceived notions that prevent many people from enjoying its benefits.
Clearing up some myths about mindfulness
It’s not just mindfulness
This technique is commonly used to refer to practice based on meditation and breathing exercises that seek mindfulness. Your goal is to control rebellious thoughts and keep your mind focused. However, this simplicity brings with it a depth that is not so simple. If we go deeper, we will realize that mindfulness is so much more.
It comes from the Tibetan word “drenpa”, which is translated as “remember”, “hold” or “collect”. Therefore, it does not consist exclusively in observing our mind, but in learning to live in the present, improving the quality of our thoughts. And focusing on the “here and now” is just the means to achieve it. Don’t we try to improve our backhand with hours and hours of practice on the tennis courts? Why not teach our conscience to be more efficient through training?
Mindfulness is not psychological therapy
Mindfulness and meditation are not psychological therapies. In no case do they replace psychological or pharmacological treatments. So, if you have been diagnosed with a mental health problem or disorder, always look for a professional and the recommended guidelines in the intervention.
Relaxation and concentration exercises can serve as a complement to these therapies, but not as alternatives. It is also wrong to consider them to have “therapeutic effects”. We could also talk about “regulatory effects” because they do not reduce but complement other supporting tools and techniques.
You have to leave your mind blank to meditate
One of the great myths about mindfulness is the idea of having to let your mind go blank to be able to practice it. Nothing further from reality. In fact, what you should do is not leave it empty, but direct it wherever you want. Master it. In other words, we must guide ourselves, not be guided by external stimuli.
Our brain is designed to think. So the more we try to keep negative thoughts away, the more intense they will become. Blocking is a verb that opposes the philosophy of mindfulness practitioners. On the contrary, what they propose is for everything to flow and for every thought to be freed.
The joy and positivism come from you
This is another of the great myths about mindfulness. This practice consists of learning to live the present in the best possible way, but it is not synonymous with joy or positivism. By doing these exercises, you won’t have a constant smile on your face or learn to see everything rosy. To achieve this, you must accept the moments for what they are. And that’s just up to you.
What is true is that this practice makes you live the moments more intensely. Both the good and the bad. It changes the way you feel the present and helps you channel and manage your emotions. It helps you not to make value judgments and be more objective in your daily life.
habit does not make the monk
Many experts claim that in 21 days anyone can change a habit or incorporate a new routine into their daily life. Unfortunately this is not the case with mindfulness. On the other hand, it is not necessary to practice it every day or every week, because its benefits are immediate.
If you practice once a year, you will notice the same results as if you had done it twice a day. All you need is your willpower. Of course, you have to know the technique to do it completely, as it’s not just going to a secluded place and breathing.
It doesn’t take time, it offers quality of life
Another of the biggest mindfulness myths that’s easiest to debunk: lack of time. It does exist, but there are also many excuses. You certainly spend more time thinking about why you can’t do it than actually practicing.
It’s only 10 or 15 minutes you need to focus your attention. You may be reading, cooking, walking… But yes, your attention remains focused on the moment, on the present. If you do this continuously, you will gradually find yourself meditating without even realizing it. The body asks you to do this.
It’s not a way to escape reality
Many believe that this meditation technique tries to isolate you from your life to escape everyday stress. This is a totally false idea. What we are looking for is reflection and finding the root cause of this stress. Through full concentration you will be able to observe and make it aware.
So it’s not about getting into a bubble and getting away from reality, but quite the opposite: it’s about giving light to your problem, focusing all your attention on it.
Is mindfulness boring?
This is, without a doubt, another of the myths about mindfulness. There is no predetermined way to approach this technique. In fact, one of its great advantages is that it doesn’t generate any kind of expectations. Are you bored with self-discovery?
Perhaps we should talk, more than boredom, about fear. The fear of discovering what we see only if we are able to look within. The unknown terrifies us, even more if it is about what may have caused us pain at some point in our lives. Give yourself the pleasure of self-liberation, let your fears go.
