In this video, we share the misconceptions about mindfulness. Many people are concerned about the religious origin of mindfulness because it came from Buddhist psychology. Misconceptions surrounding Buddhism include the act of praying, bowing, and “idolising” the various Buddhist statues. The video explains the meaning behind the cultural traditions, and how it relates or do not relate to mindfulness.
What are the Misconceptions about Mindfulness
The key misconception is that mindfulness is religious and that it converts people to Buddhism. Mindfulness is an observation of how the mind works. A Burmese mindfulness teacher said, “Mindfulness slows down the mind. It is like slowing down the fan. When you see it moving slowly, you know how it works.” This is not the exact quote, but what the teacher is saying, is that when our minds slow down, we can stop being trapped by the unhelpful beliefs and perceptions we feed ourselves day in and day out.
The video also gives an explanation of the misunderstanding surrounding Buddhist practices. If you aren’t keen, go to 16:40 where it shares how mindfulness can help with anxiety attacks and also the stages to mindfulness practice.
