Meditation dates back to the first century and has been practiced for thousands and thousands of years. It has been shown to improve stress, anxiety, depression, and quality of life (1). A common misconception about meditation is the absence of thoughts. The goal is not to stop thinking; if you did, you would be dead.
The purpose of meditation is to strengthen the ability to focus on one thing and not let thoughts intervene. Our thoughts are not facts; they are just ideas that pop into the mind. They may persuade us to do certain things, but they don't control us. To become aware of this process, you must train the mind to become less reactive. One of the best ways to do this is by sitting and paying attention to the breath.
“The mindfulness meditation exercises focus on paying attention to bodily sensations, emotions, and thoughts while embracing a non-judgemental, accepting attitude towards whatever arises until it passes away(2).”
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