How to Meditate (and Avoid the Biggest Misconceptions)

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Mar 7, 2025

This discussion delves into the true essence of meditation, highlighting it as more than just mindfulness. It emphasizes awareness as a crucial component and clarifies common misconceptions, such as the myth that meditation requires stopping thoughts. Instead, it teaches that meditation helps transform your relationship with thoughts. Listeners learn that it’s about being present and accepting oneself with curiosity. A guided meditation offers practical insight, making the journey both enlightening and accessible.

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INSIGHT

Meditation: Mindfulness and Awareness

Meditation involves focusing on an object like breath, an image, or a mantra, rather than thoughts.
It cultivates both mindfulness, through focused attention, and awareness, which expands naturally as thoughts settle.

ADVICE

Don't Stop Thinking

Don't aim to stop thinking during meditation; that's impossible and unnecessary.
Instead, change your relationship with thoughts, allowing them to be without getting caught up.

INSIGHT

Beyond Self-Help

Meditation is not merely self-improvement; it's a path of transformation and liberation.
It helps you see beyond the conventional mind, not just become a better version of yourself.

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This episode provides a deep and practical exploration of meditation, defines meditation as something more than mindfulness, it also includes awareness. Common misconceptions are enumerated. The key takeaway is that meditation is not about achieving a specific state but about learning to be with yourself as you are, with openness and curiosity. Includes a 10-minute guided meditation.

Introduction to Meditation & Mindfulness

Many wisdom traditions emphasize examining one’s own mind as the start of a spiritual journey. In the Buddhist tradition, this is done through meditation or mindfulness practice.

What is meditation? It involves choosing an object of attention (e.g., breath, an image, or a mantra) to focus on instead of thoughts.

Mindfulness and Awareness

Meditation is often described as “mindfulness meditation,” but a more accurate term is mindfulness-awareness meditation.

Mindfulness is something that can be actively worked on and developed. Awareness, on the other hand, expands naturally when space is created by allowing thoughts to settle.

Misconceptions About Meditation

Misconception #1: Meditation Requires Stopping Thoughts

Impossible and unnecessary. Meditation is not about shutting thoughts off but about changing the relationship with them.

Misconception #2: Meditation is a form of Self-Help

While it may help in many ways, meditation is not about self-improvement—it’s a path of transformation and liberation.

It allows one to see beyond the conventional mind rather than just becoming a better version of oneself.

Misconception #3: Meditation Will Make You Peaceful

It softens inner defenses, allowing for greater emotional depth and authenticity. Instead of bringing peace, it makes one more genuine and vulnerable.

Meditation Instruction & Practice (10 minutes)

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Produced by Citizens of Sound