Meditation Myth #4: Meditation is selfish

If you are lucky enough to have embraced self-care and protected time for your physical and mental health, this idea may surprise you. Yet I hear this frequently from new meditators- I have family, chores, work, I can’t just sit and do nothing for 10 minutes. It is too self-indulgent. At least exercising is “doing something.” Looking inward feels narcissistic. Shouldn’t we be trying to make the world better instead of just sitting with our eyes closed?

Ironically “busyness” and the need to always be “doing “is exactly why we need mindfulness! It is true meditation is looking inwards and tuning into yourself and your thoughts, but it is not selfish. Regular practice helps you listen better, pay more attention to yourself and others, and be present with those you love. Your mindfulness can be a gift to other people in your life. As you continue to practice, you will find you are calmer and less reactive. This makes you a positive influence on others and a better employee, manager, or leader.

By meditating you are bringing peace to one little part of the world-your part. And of course, if everyone did this, the world might be a more peaceful place. By looking inward, we uncover the ways we are actually being selfish, developing our awareness of our own thoughts and behaviors.

Making time for even 5-10 minutes of practice, even a few days a week, will give you space to restore your energy, recenter, tune into the important messages from your physical self, and have a deeper understanding of your emotional self. You’ve heard it before, but self-care is not selfish!