Most people assume that meditation is all about stopping thoughts, getting rid of emotions, somehow controlling the mind. But actually it's … about stepping back, seeing the thought clearly, witnessing it coming and going.

Source: "All It Takes Is 10 Mindful Minutes." TED Conference. Nov. 2012. Conference Presentation Additional Information: This quote from mindfulness expert Andy Puddicombe seeks to shed light on the practice of meditation and to dispel the common misconception about meditation -- that it is about stopping the mind. Rather than stopping our thoughts, says Puddicombe, meditation, or mindfulness, changes our point of view and allows us to observe our thoughts and emotions from a new perspective. This regular practice, Puddicombe goes on to say in his TEDTalk, increases our focus, clarity, and relaxation in our everyday lives. Watch the full TEDTalk here: Andy Puddicombe - All It Takes Is 10 Mindful Minutes