This year I progressed my meditation skills from struggling to sit for three minutes to powering through forty five minutes. Here are some misconceptions that helped me to grow.
Meditation is easy
The idea is simple enough: sit down and do nothing. In practice, however, it was not easy for me! Specifically, my mind would race with thoughts, I'd be uncomfortable, and I'd want to get up and do something - anything - else.
It helped me to understand that meditation is not easy for most people, and that it's a practice, in which one trains the mind and body to sit comfortably, doing nothing, for an extended period of time.
Meditation requires a clear mind
I thought that doing meditation "correctly" meant having a clear mind (i.e. no thoughts) - yet my mind would race each time I sat down on the mat. What was wrong with me?
Nothing! This was a big breakthrough for me in understanding meditation practice: thoughts will arise, one time, a dozen times, usually non-stop. This is just a fact of how I live my life: during the usual day, I am constantly engaged with thinking, so I bring that same activity to meditation.
During meditation now, I try to accept the thoughts that arise, and then restore my attention to my breathing. It happens over and over and over again. And that's perfectly normal.
Meditation must be performed alone, in silence
This was how I tried meditation for years, and came up wanting. This year, I discovered guided meditation, and group meditation.
Guided meditation has been highly rewarding: in particular, I like body scanning meditation, which moves the focus throughout the body. I also like metta (love and kindness) meditation.
I also have found group meditation to be a powerful multiplier. I have performed my longest meditations in a group. I find it easier to stay focused and motivated this way.
There are good and bad meditations
As someone who tends towards self-criticism, this one plagued me: I'd sit down, my mind would race for the duration, the bell rings, and then I'd feel like I'd failed.
The fact is that each time I sit down, I am setting an intention to clear my mind. I am purposefully clearing time for my mind and body to relax. This intention, and its demonstration, are powerful, positive practice.
This means that there is no possibility of failure - showing up is not just half the battle!
Meditation must constantly increase in time
As someone who also tends towards pushing myself harder, I thought that I was expected to keep pushing my meditation duration longer and longer.
This is not necessary! Progression will come naturally, in its own time. There is no need to run myself down, thinking I am not progressing fast enough.
It's not a competition. As long as I show up consistently, and apply myself earnestly, I will make progress.
Summary
This is a short list of misconceptions that held me back from succeeding with meditation. As an early practictioner, I am sure that I will discover more as I continue my meditation journey.