What common misconceptions exist about meditation?
Written by
Tran Quang
Reviewed by
Prof. Graham Pierce, Ph.D.Myths about meditation can prevent people from beginning to practice or benefit from it. These myths create roadblocks and distort expectations about the practice and skill. Neuroscience sheds light on how meditation actually works, differing from popular thought. I have helped hundreds of people overcome these errors through an educational approach grounded in facts.
Mind Emptying Requirement
- Truth: Focused awareness on present experience matters most
- Meditation involves observing thoughts without elimination
- Redirection practice strengthens attention networks
Lengthy Time Commitments
- Truth: Short daily sessions create measurable changes
- Research shows benefits begin with 10 minute practices
- Consistency matters more than marathon sessions
Instant Calm Expectation
- Truth: Initial sessions often increase mental chatter awareness
- This represents natural neurological processing phase
- Calm develops gradually through structural changes
The therapy alternative myth can be dangerous. Meditation is not a treatment for clinical depression or anxiety by itself. It is an effective adjunct to professional therapy by influencing mechanisms for the stress response. Mindfulness practice should always be used in conjunction with clinical treatment for total mental health treatment.
Misconceptions about spirituality unnecessarily exclude non-spiritual people. Evidence from scientific studies supports that accepting a belief system produces the same brain change. Structural brain changes, such as the growth of the hippocampus, can occur simply by repeating mechanical actions, without relying on a belief. You do not need to worry about maintaining a particular belief for your practice to work.
Understanding this truth makes meditation easy. Start with five minutes of breath focus every day. Don't expect an immediate transformation in yourself. As my students discover, they track their subtle improvements in a journal. Good information is what helps you build a sustainable practice.
Read the full article: 10 Proven Meditation Benefits for Your Brain
