Sceptical about mindfulness?

10.4.2017

There’s such a buzz around mindfulness at the moment that it can raise any sceptics hackles. The media tells us to practice it (and sometimes objects to it), our doctors tell us the same. Sports people, corporate athletes, lifestyle gurus… Everyone seems to be singing the tune. There’s heaps of evidence that it really works, but…

 

Lots of us have been there: sitting, trying to focus on the breath, our minds wandering all over the place and nothing happening. It’s no surprise that some people are sceptical about mindfulness.

 

Misconceptions about meditation

1. It’s for New Age types – not for me

 

Despite, or maybe because, of its current popularity there’s a lingering stereotype that people who meditate are a certain type. The truth is people from all sectors of society are learning meditation. Business people, engineers, lawyers – bricklayers, bus-drivers, and artists. You could say that mindfulness training has too many benefits not to incorporate it into everyday life – whatever you do. From enhanced resilience, to more focus, to feeling greater empathy with others - there are plenty of reasons to practice daily mindfulness for a better life.

 

2. There’s not enough time to meditate

 

With just 10 minutes a day you can begin to experience the positive effects of meditation. More is better, but it’s surprising how just a short amount of time can improve your wellbeing. The paradox is that if you make time for meditation, you’ll be in a better position to deal with your life. The fact is, our days are fuller when we’re not coping well. Meditation helps you deal with your emotions to the point of feeling that you have more time. When you feel refreshed, tasks are completed quicker, so you end up being more productive.

 

3. I need to stop thinking to meditate and I can’t stop

 

It’s normal to feel that your mind is too active to meditate. All of us find it hard to ignore distractions. You don’t need to completely clear your mind of thoughts to meditate. Mindfulness meditation is about noticing the flow of thoughts and letting them be. Our minds naturally wonder and in fact research shows that 50% of the time our thoughts run away with themselves. The key is to not try and stop the thoughts. You can learn to honour thoughts and pay attention to them in a non-judgemental way. This means that however active your mind is, you can meditate and develop a wiser and more positive orientation.

 

4. Being too happy might affect my ability to do business

 

For busy professionals, it’s natural to think that having a bit of an edge helps you to succeed. Don’t worry - meditation won’t turn you into someone who’s annoyingly ‘positive’: instead it can help you make the best of who you already are. People who meditate are often happier, because they deal with the ‘stuff that happens’ more effectively. By allowing what is the case to be the case, you become more resilient. Then, when you make mistakes it’s easier to pick yourself up and get on with things. That can only be a good thing.

 

To learn more about the positive effects of mindfulness contact michael@mindfulnessworks.com or call (+44) 01223 750660