Why aren’t you meditating? These days the benefits of meditation are so well known that it only makes sense that everyone should be meditating, right? But we know that’s not the case. Like many other things that are good for us, as much as we might want to start meditating, we just don’t seem to be able to do it.
It’s been my mission for a couple of decades now to help people learn how to meditate, and I’ve managed to reach many, based on the sales of my CD, which I named “Everyone can meditate.”
Some of the myths I enjoyed busting when I held a beginner’s class were:
#1 - You have to sit cross legged on the floor. You can sit comfortably in a chair or even lie down to meditate. Yes, if you are practicing a certain tradition, you may be told that you have to sit up and keep your spine straight and that’s definitely helpful for your energy flow, but if it’s a choice between meditating while lying in bed or not meditating at all, I’d say do it your way!
#2 - You have to meditate for an hour to be doing it “right.” I had one client who used the three-minute meditation on my CD every day for a month, and she said it changed her life. She was happier, less stressed, less reactive in meetings at work and her relationships were more harmonious — all thanks to taking three minutes a day to breathe.
#3 - You’re too busy. Based on number two, I think it’s fair to say that you can manage to find three minutes a day for yourself, don’t you? One of my clients found that focusing on her breath during her bus ride to work was the best way for her to fit meditation into her busy schedule. She had two young kids, a husband and a full time job.
#4 - Your mind is too active to meditate. I’ve had people say to me, “I’m just not the type of person who can meditate. My mind is too active!” There’s no type of person who can’t meditate. I used to say to my groups, “If you can breathe, you can meditate.” If you are using this excuse, you will likely benefit greatly from learning to meditate.
#5 - You have to give up things you like doing. Some people think that if they start meditating they have to live like monks: Give up eating meat or drinking alcohol; going to parties or binge watching TV shows. The truth is, your interest in some of these things may decrease, as you connect with yourself more, but it’s not necessary to give up the things you enjoy in order to get started with meditation.
If I offered you a free pill that would improve your emotional and physical health, your relationships, your finances and even contribute to world peace, would you take it?
Sita Rebizant is a resident of Clearwater and author of the book Safe, Loved and Free: How hitting rock bottom inspired by awakening and led me to the life and love I’d always longed for. Her meditation CDs are available for purchase at the Old Town Gift Shoppe and online.
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