Dispelling 5 Common Myths About Mindfulness

The word mindfulness pops up all over the place these days—in the magazines we read, on the websites we browse, and on the lips of those in the limelight that we admire most. It's exciting to see this incredibly rewarding practice garner so much attention, but myths seem to swirl around the word, clouding its value. And I suppose, it's not all that difficult to understand why.

The roots of mindfulness can be traced back thousands of years, to the teaching of the Buddha, and yet contrarily, it's not something that is exclusively spiritual in nature. Many people imagine that mindfulness might be difficult, that it requires clearing their mind of thoughts entirely—an impossible mountain to climb when living a modern lifestyle—or that it will leave them time poor, or with no time at all!

When we consider these pervasive misconceptions, it's a shame to imagine that so many people might miss out on the power of mindfulness simply because they stumble upon an illusionary understanding of what mindfulness is and what it isn't. With that in mind, let's tease apart fact from fiction, and break down those myths once and for all.

Myth 1: I need to stop my thoughts

One of the more common mindfulness myths, and perhaps the one that I encounter most frequently, is that mindfulness calls for pressing the mute button on all thoughts in the mind. But in truth, our minds are incredible, multi-faceted processing instruments—a spectacular gift, if ever there was one—that we really can't pause them completely.

In fact, mindfulness isn't about stopping our thoughts at all, but rather noticing their presence, acknowledging them, and accepting their nature observationally. Many aspiring practitioners are surprised to discover that there are even meditations specifically designed to work with thoughts, so don't be concerned, because they truly aren't the enemy! Although, what is interesting about mindfulness in relation to our thoughts is that when we become more attuned to our inner voice in this way, it does tend to take on a far more tranquil tone.

Myth 2: Sitting still is a must, but I'm a mover!

Many people get the idea of mindfulness mixed up with that of meditation. This is likely partly rooted in an awareness that there is a connection, because mindfulness is a feature of meditation, but the two are not synonymous. In reality, meditation can be practised sitting, standing, lying down, or in movement. But the scope of mindfulness is so much broader. You can practice mindfulness when you are driving, working, eating, doing chores—the possibilities are endless!

At its heart, mindfulness means switching off auto-pilot; paying attention to your body, breath, thoughts, and behaviours; and becoming aware of the world around you—of the myriad of sensations and insights available to you in the now. Practising mindfulness in this way will not only enrich how you experience everyday life, but also open a window into how your mind works, allowing you to know and understand yourself on a far deeper level.

Myth 3: Mindfulness is part of a religion or alternative lifestyle

It's true that Buddhist monks have been practising mindfulness for more than 2000 years, but that doesn't mean that it is directly tied to any kind of spirituality. When mentioning mindfulness, many commentators lump it in with the alternative or “out there” or woo-woo ideas. But in reality, scientists have been studying the effects of mindfulness for quite some time, and its impact on the brain is quite profound.

It was back in the 1970s when researchers began to explore why mindfulness and meditation can do things like reduce stress and anxiety, improve memory and focus, lessen pain perception, and even alter the structure of the brain for the better. What they discovered is that mindfulness can be likened to training the brain to function in a more optimal way—through practice, we can elevate the quality of the mind, improving its function, and in turn, the very essence of our life experience.

Myth 4: I don’t have the time to be mindful

Don't get me wrong. Beginning your journey on the path of mindfulness will require a little effort—especially in remembering to be mindful! However, far from being a practice that will leave you time poor, it is more likely to leave you finding greater value in the same 24 hours. Even if you feel that you have no time for meditation in your daily schedule, you can certainly embrace mindfulness—and you might even find that the hours open up as you do.

How can this be? When we stumble through life unmindfully, we can easily find ourselves bouncing from task, to distraction, to interaction, to other tasks, without an awareness of whether these activities are really right for us. We feel as if we don't have the capacity to add anything else in because life is steering us, rather than us steering life. Perhaps counter-intuitively, making the space to be mindful each day can bring us opportunity to transform the landscapes of our lives constructively.

So, how can you introduce mindfulness if every day is a roller coaster? Activating that mindfulness muscle can be as simple as paying more attention to physical sensations—the chair beneath you, the texture of the grass, the aroma of the city evening, or whatever you might encounter. It can be savouring your food rather than allowing your mind to chatter or your smartphone to suck you in during mealtimes. Mindfulness is incredibly adaptive; it is compatible with whatever life throws at you, and its rewards are inclined to overflow into other areas with just a little dedication. Ultimately, the busier you are, the more mindfulness has to offer!

Myth 5: Mindfulness is about being in this blissful state all the time

Many people try mindfulness, but when it doesn't leave them feeling permanently serene, they imagine that they were doing it wrong. This myth rather misrepresents mindfulness, because it isn't a miraculous quick fix that will prevent you from ever encountering discomfort again. What it will do is enable you to face discomfort with an acceptance and grace that allows you to move on through, relatively unscathed.

In a world abundant with distractions, it can be tempting to allow our attention to slide away when faced with something challenging. However, the evidence increasingly tells us that when our fondness for diversions runs away with us, it can leave us feeling even more dissatisfied with life. In contrast, when we approach our inner equilibrium—or lack thereof on a difficult day—with non-judgmental compassion and acceptance, we can find both peace and resilience.

So, there you have it. With mindfulness myths spectacularly busted, I can't help but wonder: which one surprised you the most?

If re-framing your idea of meditation has left you curious, why not harness a little guidance with our Beginner's Mindfulness Course? Designed by The School of Modern Mindfulness, this online four-week beginner program is a great introduction to mindfulness and meditation designed specifically for the modern world. Together, we will set out on a journey to explore the inner workings of the mind, the world around us, and how we can respond to life’s situations with skill and grace.

Whether you are new to mindfulness and meditation, looking for a refresher, or wanting to return to practice, this course will support you on your journey—highlighting how to manage stress and emotions, sharpen your focus, improve your concentration, and enhance your overall health and well-being. New courses begin on the first week of every month, so look out for the next session!