Myths of Mindfulness, Part Two

Quick answer: Myths of mindfulness are common misconceptions—like needing formal daily exercises, years of training, or a peaceful setting—that keep people from practicing. In this second installment of our podcast series with Dr. Richard Sears, we bust six more myths and show that mindfulness is an informal, portable skill everyone is born with.

In Part Two of our podcast series on unpacking the myths of mindfulness, we jump right back into the good stuff—busting those myths. Our Season Two special guest, Dr. Richard Sears, penned an entire book on the topic in 2021, and we encourage you to check it out to explore further. As you read or listen along, pause and take note: which myths resonate most with you, and what might they be pointing to in terms of hurdles you can overcome in your own practice?

What if I don't have time to be mindful?

Then, in the words of mindfulness teacher Jon Kabat-Zinn, "Just don't do it."

It's a bit of a paradox: a mindfulness practice can bring greater ease to a busy life, yet it takes time and commitment, which is in short supply for many of us. Kabat-Zinn's surprising answer may seem unorthodox coming from a major proponent of meditation, but it points to a useful reframing of the term "practice." If carving out time for one more activity simply isn't realistic for you, there's a low likelihood you'll actually do it—so why beat yourself up? Instead, Dr. Sears advises focusing on a more informal mode of practice, which leads directly to the next myth.

Does mindfulness require formal daily exercises?

No—rather than fixating on formalizing your practice, you can dig into the possibilities of being mindful informally throughout the day.

One funny way to look at it: remembering to remember more. This isn't about memory recall so much as reassembling yourself—recalling where you are right now. Perhaps that's checking in with your body while sitting at your desk and doing a brief body scan: notice where you feel tension, where you're holding your breath, your neck, your shoulders. If that noticing gradually becomes a habit, all the better. Dr. Sears also shared a nugget of wisdom from his Zen teacher: ask yourself "What is this?" and respond "I don't know." Thinking is not the same as directly experiencing reality—and when we drop the urge to formalize and analyze, the barriers to mindfulness come down.

Does it take years to become mindful?

No—each of us has the tools it takes to become mindful right now.

In dismantling this myth, Dr. Sears draws on his wealth of experience in Ninjutsu. Even with a sixth-degree black belt, he is constantly learning new ways to come back to his own presentness of mind. There is no magic number of years or degree of wisdom required. As Lance summarizes on the episode: there is no "secret ninja flavor of mindfulness"—your life is your practice.

Does mindfulness interfere with work—or fix it?

Neither: mindfulness is not a productivity tool, not a stress-reduction tool, and not a productivity killer.

This myth is grounded in studies with attention-grabbing headlines in the popular press. One study found workers who paused for body scans seemed to use the practice as a momentary escape from work. Another raised bigger questions: the more attentive participants became, the more they questioned whether their work actually mattered to them. Alongside broad claims that mindfulness cures all workplace woes, the truth lands on a middle ground. Removing the goal-oriented attitude may take away some of mindfulness's allure for HR departments—but it frees us up to be mindful in work and in life without expectations, and removing expectations can itself relieve some stress.

Does mindfulness require non-judgmental acceptance?

Not point-blank acceptance of everything—Dr. Sears suggests framing mindfulness as a temporary suspension of judgment.

Isn't non-judgment a core tenet of mindfulness? Dr. Sears acknowledges he included the term partly to get our minds spinning. When we intentionally set aside judgments and comparisons, just for a bit, we can listen to and observe what is actually happening in the present moment. We can extend that suspension to other people, to the world around us, and to ourselves—and in doing so, we may be practicing compassion without even realizing it.

Can you only be mindful in a peaceful setting?

No—mindfulness is far more beneficial when you can pull it out of your pocket on the go, rather than waiting for the perfect setting.

Not everyone can escape to the Himalayas to meditate among monks. Dr. Sears recounts teaching mindfulness in action to emergency room staff—even amid great urgency, pain, and stress, we all have the ability to call on our attentiveness of mind. The point is not to escape to a happy place but to be fully present, wherever the moment takes us.

The takeaway: you are already equipped for mindfulness

We are all born with mindfulness—it is not an achievement reserved for ninjas, monks, or saints. We all get carried away in thoughts, emotions, judgments, and expectations, but as many good therapists remind us, we are not our thoughts and we are not our emotions. We can observe them as they come and go. And one final tip from the episode: prioritizing sleep may help your attentiveness, too—so go get some quality zzz's.

Getting started. If you'd like support building a realistic, judgment-free mindfulness practice, our mindfulness therapy team can help—in person in Austin or through online therapy across Texas.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to meditate every day to benefit from mindfulness?

No. Informal practice—brief body scans at your desk, noticing tension, remembering where you are right now—counts, and can gradually build into a habit without interrupting your day.

Is mindfulness a productivity tool for work?

No. Mindfulness is neither a productivity tool nor a productivity killer. Dropping the goal-oriented approach frees you to be mindful at work without expectations, which itself can ease stress.

Am I my thoughts and emotions?

No. You can observe thoughts and emotions as they come and go, but they are not who you are—a distinction many counselors and therapists help clients practice.

Get started with a therapist at Austin Mindfulness Center—in person in Austin or online across Texas.