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How to Meditate: Meditation 101 for Beginners
10 Science-Backed Benefits of Meditation
What is Meditation?
How to Meditate: Meditation 101 for Beginners
10 Science-Backed Benefits of Meditation
What is Meditation?
Benefits of Mindfulness: Mindful Living Can Change Your Life
Mindfulness 101: A Beginner's Guide
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Welcome back to your Daily Mindfulness. In today's session, we're going to talk about beginner's mind. This term is from a book called Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi. One of the lines in the book he says is, "In the mind of the expert, there are very few possibilities. In the mind of the beginner, there are an infinite number of possibilities." So often we get caught in our own expertise about what we think we know about ourselves, our lives, how to solve problems and what we need to do that also seems to prevent us from connecting to the richness and the immediacy of our life as it's happening.
I sometimes like to think of beginner's mind as a childlike curiosity. If you've ever seen a child exploring the world around them, they're smelling flowers, they're picking up insects. Have you ever seen a child go down a slide? It's pure elation and joy. Have you ever seen an adult go down a slide? It's kind of sad. So what happens along the way? I think we adopt this mentality of been there, done that.
I know what this is all about. I don't have to pay attention in the same way that I used to. Then it's true that experiences that our novel, like the first time we're experiencing them like a child, there is a richness there. We have a natural beginner's mind. And over time when we do see and experience a lot, we can just put it in the category of, I know what this is about.
But if we really drop into the truth of being present, you've never seen this moment before. You've never been in this moment before. Even if it's familiar, there's something a little different and you, showing up, are different. One of the special things about mindfulness is that it helps connect us to beginner's mind, this way of seeing our moments as if for the first time. It doesn't require anything special.
You can drop into it right now. What is it like to inhabit a childlike curiosity as if you were experiencing this moment for the first time? The colors that you might be able to see? Experiencing sound and what it's like to hear? Just feeling what it's like to have a body? We can take this way of relating to our lives and in all moments - our normal commute into work, while we're eating a meal, even if it's the same meal we've eaten before and perhaps with our partner that we've been with for 10, 20, 30 years. There's always new discoveries and this moment is always new. When we bring that beginner's mind to our lives, we get to connect to the immediacy and the richness that is ever evolving. So today, try to bring more of that beginner's mind into your life and see how it increases your experience and quality of life.
We'll do more of this in the meditation. As always, thank you for your practice and I'll talk to you soon. Take care.
Beginner's Mind
Personalized support for learning how to integrate mindfulness into your life. Delivered fresh everyday by our world renowned experts. Choose meditation duration:
Duration
Your default time is based on your progress and is changed automatically as you practice.
Welcome back to your Daily Mindfulness. In today's session, we're going to talk about beginner's mind. This term is from a book called Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi. One of the lines in the book he says is, "In the mind of the expert, there are very few possibilities. In the mind of the beginner, there are an infinite number of possibilities." So often we get caught in our own expertise about what we think we know about ourselves, our lives, how to solve problems and what we need to do that also seems to prevent us from connecting to the richness and the immediacy of our life as it's happening.
I sometimes like to think of beginner's mind as a childlike curiosity. If you've ever seen a child exploring the world around them, they're smelling flowers, they're picking up insects. Have you ever seen a child go down a slide? It's pure elation and joy. Have you ever seen an adult go down a slide? It's kind of sad. So what happens along the way? I think we adopt this mentality of been there, done that.
I know what this is all about. I don't have to pay attention in the same way that I used to. Then it's true that experiences that our novel, like the first time we're experiencing them like a child, there is a richness there. We have a natural beginner's mind. And over time when we do see and experience a lot, we can just put it in the category of, I know what this is about.
But if we really drop into the truth of being present, you've never seen this moment before. You've never been in this moment before. Even if it's familiar, there's something a little different and you, showing up, are different. One of the special things about mindfulness is that it helps connect us to beginner's mind, this way of seeing our moments as if for the first time. It doesn't require anything special.
You can drop into it right now. What is it like to inhabit a childlike curiosity as if you were experiencing this moment for the first time? The colors that you might be able to see? Experiencing sound and what it's like to hear? Just feeling what it's like to have a body? We can take this way of relating to our lives and in all moments - our normal commute into work, while we're eating a meal, even if it's the same meal we've eaten before and perhaps with our partner that we've been with for 10, 20, 30 years. There's always new discoveries and this moment is always new. When we bring that beginner's mind to our lives, we get to connect to the immediacy and the richness that is ever evolving. So today, try to bring more of that beginner's mind into your life and see how it increases your experience and quality of life.
We'll do more of this in the meditation. As always, thank you for your practice and I'll talk to you soon. Take care.
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The little talks before the meditations are priceless. It's like I've found my peeps. The topics, the quotes, the goals—it all makes so much sense to me, things I want to be thinking and learning about. Most importantly, the meditations are kindness-centered, which I love. It feels like a new way to approach meditation.
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Better than Headspace. I've had the paid version of both apps, and I must say I enjoy this one better.
- Gina, Plus+ Member
Vidyamala’s tips on catching anger as it’s happening or about to happen are great - clear, practical, and doable.
- Vicoir
The little talks before the meditations are priceless. It's like I've found my peeps. The topics, the quotes, the goals—it all makes so much sense to me, things I want to be thinking and learning about. Most importantly, the meditations are kindness-centered, which I love. It feels like a new way to approach meditation.
- Lauren
Incredible, easy to navigate app. I would highly recommend this app to anyone who wishes to reduce stress and anxiety or simply as an aid to improve overall mental health.
- Kirtus
I love how the app gives me pointers to new things to explore.
- Lydia
So calm and soothing. I love the new bundle with Kelly Boys, she’s brilliant!
- EJ
Better than Headspace. I've had the paid version of both apps, and I must say I enjoy this one better.
- Gina, Plus+ Member
Vidyamala’s tips on catching anger as it’s happening or about to happen are great - clear, practical, and doable.
- Vicoir
The little talks before the meditations are priceless. It's like I've found my peeps. The topics, the quotes, the goals—it all makes so much sense to me, things I want to be thinking and learning about. Most importantly, the meditations are kindness-centered, which I love. It feels like a new way to approach meditation.
- Lauren
Incredible, easy to navigate app. I would highly recommend this app to anyone who wishes to reduce stress and anxiety or simply as an aid to improve overall mental health.
- Kirtus
I love how the app gives me pointers to new things to explore.
- Lydia
So calm and soothing. I love the new bundle with Kelly Boys, she’s brilliant!
- EJ
Better than Headspace. I've had the paid version of both apps, and I must say I enjoy this one better.
- Gina, Plus+ Member
I am very new to meditation, and am so happy that my first introduction to it has been through this app
The first session was fantastic. I feel safe. And supported. Almost like having someone helping me through my difficult time. I’m very grateful for this app.
- Babi
You get a lot of useful tips for handling stress and anxiety in 'real life'.
- Joy
Highly recommend.
- Humanfrst
Kelly Boys is hands down the best. Everytime I click on one of her guided meditations I get excited for the calmness that lies ahead.
-
I am very new to meditation, and am so happy that my first introduction to it has been through this app
The first session was fantastic. I feel safe. And supported. Almost like having someone helping me through my difficult time. I’m very grateful for this app.
- Babi
You get a lot of useful tips for handling stress and anxiety in 'real life'.
- Joy
Highly recommend.
- Humanfrst
Kelly Boys is hands down the best. Everytime I click on one of her guided meditations I get excited for the calmness that lies ahead.
-
I am very new to meditation, and am so happy that my first introduction to it has been through this app
The first session was fantastic. I feel safe. And supported. Almost like having someone helping me through my difficult time. I’m very grateful for this app.
- Babi
You get a lot of useful tips for handling stress and anxiety in 'real life'.
- Joy
Highly recommend.
- Humanfrst
Kelly Boys is hands down the best. Everytime I click on one of her guided meditations I get excited for the calmness that lies ahead.
-
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