Browse
Top articles
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
00:00
00:00
Personalized support for learning how to integrate mindfulness into your life. Delivered fresh everyday by our world renowned experts. Choose meditation duration:
Hi, and welcome to your Daily Mindfulness. Today, I'm going to talk about being a caretaker of your mind. In our meditation practice, we're always monitoring where our attention goes. We aim to keep our attention on the breath or whatever the object of meditation is. And then if our attention wanders away, you know, into thoughts about our problems, our anxieties, our plans, our fixations, we gently bring our focus back.
And in this way, we are like a caretaker of the mind. In the same way, we can continue to practice being a caretaker of our mind in day-to-day life by, again, just monitoring when we might be getting caught up, you know, in our emotions, in unhelpful thoughts, in mental fixations or struggles. And we can practice pulling our attention out of those thoughts and grounding ourselves in mindful awareness again and again, and again. This practice of caretaking our attention starts in meditation. But the real test really is bringing this caretaker-like awareness into our lives where the challenges and the tribulations of life rub up against us, you know.
Because let's face it, you know, real life, this is where our partner shows up late for dinner, our boss gives us an extra workload we weren't expecting. This is where we have traffic jams and long lines. And no matter how long we've been practicing meditation, there's certain times when we all tend to react, fixate, get caught up in mental patterns. I know that one pattern that comes up for me repeatedly is that I tend to be really hard on myself and perfectionistic. And so when I notice myself falling into that mental pattern, I notice, you know, there's the same basic pattern of emotions that surfaces from that.
I often feel a feeling that I'm not good enough. I'm unworthy. I feel a sadness, a heaviness. But because I've made a real effort in my life to be aware of this pattern when it arises, I find that I catch it faster these days and I caretake my attention in those moments. I let go of those thoughts and I bring my focus back to the present moment.
And so just like this, you know, once we're aware of any habitual mental pattern, we have an opportunity to pause and change our response. So the next time you fall into any unhelpful tendency of the mind, whether it's the voice of the inner critic, jealousy, reactivity, or anxiety, just remembering to pause and be a caretaker of your mind. This really is a moment of choice, when you notice that pattern. So, you know, just notice any emotions that are arising. And then when you're ready, just redirect your attention back to the present moment, back to something more nourishing and uplifting.
So that's the invitation for practice today. Be a caretaker of your mind. And as always thank you for your practice and your presence here in this community, with us. And now let's settle in for today's meditation.
Being the Caretaker of Your 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.
Hi, and welcome to your Daily Mindfulness. Today, I'm going to talk about being a caretaker of your mind. In our meditation practice, we're always monitoring where our attention goes. We aim to keep our attention on the breath or whatever the object of meditation is. And then if our attention wanders away, you know, into thoughts about our problems, our anxieties, our plans, our fixations, we gently bring our focus back.
And in this way, we are like a caretaker of the mind. In the same way, we can continue to practice being a caretaker of our mind in day-to-day life by, again, just monitoring when we might be getting caught up, you know, in our emotions, in unhelpful thoughts, in mental fixations or struggles. And we can practice pulling our attention out of those thoughts and grounding ourselves in mindful awareness again and again, and again. This practice of caretaking our attention starts in meditation. But the real test really is bringing this caretaker-like awareness into our lives where the challenges and the tribulations of life rub up against us, you know.
Because let's face it, you know, real life, this is where our partner shows up late for dinner, our boss gives us an extra workload we weren't expecting. This is where we have traffic jams and long lines. And no matter how long we've been practicing meditation, there's certain times when we all tend to react, fixate, get caught up in mental patterns. I know that one pattern that comes up for me repeatedly is that I tend to be really hard on myself and perfectionistic. And so when I notice myself falling into that mental pattern, I notice, you know, there's the same basic pattern of emotions that surfaces from that.
I often feel a feeling that I'm not good enough. I'm unworthy. I feel a sadness, a heaviness. But because I've made a real effort in my life to be aware of this pattern when it arises, I find that I catch it faster these days and I caretake my attention in those moments. I let go of those thoughts and I bring my focus back to the present moment.
And so just like this, you know, once we're aware of any habitual mental pattern, we have an opportunity to pause and change our response. So the next time you fall into any unhelpful tendency of the mind, whether it's the voice of the inner critic, jealousy, reactivity, or anxiety, just remembering to pause and be a caretaker of your mind. This really is a moment of choice, when you notice that pattern. So, you know, just notice any emotions that are arising. And then when you're ready, just redirect your attention back to the present moment, back to something more nourishing and uplifting.
So that's the invitation for practice today. Be a caretaker of your mind. And as always thank you for your practice and your presence here in this community, with us. And now let's settle in for today's meditation.
Available everywhere.
Access on the web or in our mobile app.
Duration
Available everywhere.
Access on the web or in our mobile app.
Play in-app
Scan the following QR code with your camera app to open it on our mobile app
Already purchased?
Get Unlimited Access
A Mindfulness Plus+ subscription gives you unlimited access to a world of premium mindfulness content.
Email Missing
We couldn’t detect your email with the SSO provider you have selected.We are here to make a positive impact on the world. We never want to sell you something that hasn’t helped you live a better life. That’s why if you’re unhappy with any purchase from us, you have 30 days to get a full refund and your money back.
If you subscribed to Mindfulness Plus+ and are unhappy with your purchase, please get in contact with us within the 30-day period and we’ll refund your purchase.
Learn more about our Mindfulness Guarantee.
Mindfulness
We believe in a world where everybody has access to the life-changing skills of mindfulness.
Private Browsing
Congratulations on taking the first step towards a more mindful life! As a token of our appreciation, we want to offer you an exclusive opportunity to upgrade to Mindfulness Plus+ for a price you won't find anywhere else.
Mindfulness Plus+ is our premium membership that includes everything you need to learn mindfulness and keep practicing throughout all stages of life.
Take this exclusive offer to further your mindfulness skills and experience deeper levels of well-being.
Annual membership
$0
Just a small sample of the life-changing 5-star reviews we get on a daily basis.
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
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.
-
Claim your free access
Create a mindfulness account and we’ll unlock this premium session in your account forever.
7-Days free trial, cancel anytime.
Complete a few quick questions to make your own personalized mindfulness plan.