Four myths about Mindfulness.
Blue Stop sign with a lizard petched on top. Inviting us to take a moment to review some myths of mindfulness.
We take an honest look at mindfulness and what it’s not!
Social and popular media suggests Mindfulness as an immediate route to calm. When it doesn’t happen – when our thoughts continue to race – we can feel let down or believe our technique is at fault.
If we type ‘mindfulness’ into any search engine, in milliseconds we're flooded with so much conflicting information. We’re joined by Ibolya, a psychiatric nurse, to explore common mindfulness myths. Ibolya suggests “Sometimes when we define what something is not, we can then uncover what it is.”
Myth 1: Mindfulness is relaxing. In our hectic world, many of us seek a sense of ease or relaxation. Calm and peace can be elusive and hard to achieve. Ibolya affirms, “My mindfulness practice has taught me that mindfulness is not about relaxation.”
Myth 2: Mindfulness is an escape. Sometimes those current problems can become more obvious and more evident. It’s because we’ve focussed our attention on becoming aware of them. She says “I've learned that mindfulness is not a way to detach from your current realities. ”
Myth 3: Mindfulness will help us to avoid or suppress emotions. Mindfulness practiced with the six foundational “What and How” skills bring issues sharply into focus. Ibolya explains, “Far from being a capability of drifting away, mindfulness is about being alert. When you are Observing, Describing, and Participating, your focus will make you intensely aware of the emotions you are feeling.”
Indeed, she recalls that when people come to her with intense suffering,
often it is because there is something that they are avoiding.
Research shows 47% of the time we spend thinking about something other than what we're doing (1). When we're detached and disengaged, we rob ourselves of our joy and our happiness.
Myth 4: Mindfulness is simple and easy. Popular belief is that one simply needs to focus one’s thoughts on a meaningful quote. While mindfulness techniques are simple, practicing them requires concentration and effort. When we’re mindful, we’re not going into our known patterns of thought. We don’t ruminate about the past or worry about the future.
Instead, Ibolya reminds us, “It’s a constant exercise in which we bring ourselves back to the present moment. You’ll likely become aware that the only time you actually have, is NOW, the present moment.”
Ask yourself this tough question… “Am I conscious of the preciousness of the present moment? Or am I rushing through the time, wishing it away?”
To support your goal of a life worth living, did you want to invest a moment now?
Take a moment and reflect and write your future self a kind note.
Which myth/s did you believe?
Which of the skills (How, What, Describe, Observe, or Participate) could you practice more effectively?
(1) Harvard https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2010/11/wandering-mind-not-a-happy-mind/
