As it happens with all popular things, there are many myths surrounding meditation. Some of them are purely baseless and a figment of people’s imagination, while some of them have roots in lack of knowledge of the purity and the integrity that the meditation creates. Some of the popular myths and their justifications are discussed below:
• Myth no. 1: People generally believe that meditation is a religious practice. That is totally wrong. It is in lieu of this belief that many scholars of various religions like Islam, Christianity, and Judaism believe that meditation is a Hindu practice and people who practice it start drifting away from their religion. The meditation is a process in which the person tries to calm down the mind and harness the carnal desires to achieve harmony with their natural self. It focuses on developing a connection with nature and has nothing to do with any religion.
• Myth no. 2: The lotus position is necessary for meditation to happen. It is not true because meditation has no hard and fast rules. Meditation can be practiced without sitting; the only requirement is that the spine should be erect, and the body should not be slouching. There is some meditation practice that can be practiced even during walking.
• Myth no. 3: People who are aged should adopt meditation. Meditation is a practice that focuses on harnessing the desires and gaining peaceful momentum in the body. People belonging to any age group can engage in meditation as it helps in increasing concentration and welcoming positive energy flux. Young and old, both are in equal need for meditation as it helps in inducing strength to the mind and bringing balance.
• Myth no. 4: There are selected mantras that should be chanted while performing meditation if the meditation is to be a success. It is completely wrong. Many people like to practice meditation without a sound, while some prefer to perform meditation with music and while some chant loudly when engaging in meditation. It is all solely dependent upon the person who is meditating; there is no hard and fast rule defined.
• Myth no. 5: There are fixed hours in a day during which meditation can be done. It is another farce that revolves around meditation. There is no limitation like this. Meditation can be performed at any time of the day. Its only requirement is the uninterrupted time when the meditation is being practiced. It only helps calm the mind and bring tranquility to life. It is advisable, though, that it should be practiced daily.
• Myth no. 6: People who meditate all belong to a cult. If trying to be a part of the happy mind and healthy life club is cult-like, then meditation is a cult. This is propaganda that is spread by people who do not believe in meditation. Meditation is all about being able to connect with your inner self and find peace. The cult assumption is an entirely false idea.
