Meditation doesn’t stop distracting thoughts, or negative thoughts, or unhelpful thoughts. It doesn’t let me “control my thoughts,” whatever that would mean. Meditation is just an awareness tool. And mental awareness is the first step toward finding more self-determination to do what I really want. Real self-determination isn’t possible when you’re being ceaselessly pushed and pulled by little goblins in your head who readily manipulate your emotions but whose existence you won’t acknowledge.

Because of its proven benefits on everything from sleep to productivity, focus, mood, and stress reduction, meditation is quickly becoming the daily practice of Marines, pro-athletes and world-class performers in all fields. Although meditation is one of the fastest growing health trends, its fundamentals—what it is, what it does and how to do it —remain ill-defined. Learn the top three misconceptions about meditation so you can start your own practice with knowledge, confidence, and clear expectations.

Stress. It’s one of those joys in life we all experience, and simultaneously love to hate. In times of pressure—like before a work deadline or during the heat of competition—stress can push us to perform at our peak. But when not managed properly, it can build up over time and do some serious damage to our mental and physical health.