Mindfully debunking four meditation myths

___ Mindfulness meditation can help us lead happier, healthier lives … at least according to science. Yet many of us still balk at the idea of practicing it ourselves. Perhaps we fear that meditation is too new agey, or it might slow us down or lead to complacency. Some might fear mindfulness could come at the expense of productivity, a moral compass, or even the vitality that gives us our edge. But new research studies bust some of the common myths around mindfulness meditation. Rather than making us blissfully tuned out or carefree, mindfulness meditation may actually make it easier for us to take a moral stand, be persistent in achieving our goals, and be more energetic in our lives—even our sex lives! Here are some of the myths of mindfulness and the research that counteracts those myths. Myth #1: Mindfulness meditation makes you turn inward and become more isolated When I first heard about mindfulness, this was a concern of mine. Will I turn into some kind of new-age person who is, frankly, self-absorbed and kind of out of it? Apparently not, say the results of several research studies. If anything, mindfulness makes our social relationships stronger—perhaps by helping us to better regulate difficult emotions like anger or resentment. And, though mindfulness may be developed via an inward practice like meditation, it still helps us to connect with the suffering of others and want to reach out to help them—something that definitely builds social capital. In o...
Source: SharpBrains - Category: Neuroscience Authors: Tags: Cognitive Neuroscience Peak Performance Professional Development Technology meditation mindful mindfulness myths Source Type: blogs