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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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Hi, and welcome to your Daily Mindfulness. Today I'm going to talk about this tendency to compare our past memories with how things are in the present. Now I'm sure that most of us have a memory of a time that was just golden. You know, maybe it was a really special date or a romantic moment with your partner or a peak moment of achievement. A time when you looked younger, had more energy or a moment of just total bliss on a holiday or an a mountaintop.
So, often when we reflect on past memories, we compare them to how our life is today and how it's not quite measuring up to the images of the past in our minds. For instance, there's been times in my life where I've compared my relationship to the way it was back when we first got together. And then I felt a sense of deficiency for how things were in the present. I became dissatisfied with the way things were in the present like there was something wrong. So we also tend to do this with meditation.
We may have had a very pleasant experience in meditation in the past, perhaps feelings of deep, calm, or even sacredness. And then we tend to start comparing every meditation to that one and feel like something's gone wrong. We can't get back there into that state we remember. So it's really important to remind ourselves that getting into some particular state, no matter how pleasant or sacred, is not the goal of mindfulness practice. Mindfulness is really about allowing ourselves to come to our present moment experience with fresh eyes, with an attitude of warmth, acceptance, and curiosity.
We're really only able to be fully present with this fresh, new moment when we can let go of comparing it to a past one. We're aiming to live the experience of this moment as if it was the very first time. To lean into every sight and sound wholeheartedly, allowing it to be just as it is and appreciating it. So the next time you find yourself comparing the past to how things are now, see if you can let go of the memories from the past so that you can be fully present to have your magic moment in the now. As always, thank you for your practice and your presence here with us.
And let's settle in now for today's meditation.
Comparing Now to Then
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 this tendency to compare our past memories with how things are in the present. Now I'm sure that most of us have a memory of a time that was just golden. You know, maybe it was a really special date or a romantic moment with your partner or a peak moment of achievement. A time when you looked younger, had more energy or a moment of just total bliss on a holiday or an a mountaintop.
So, often when we reflect on past memories, we compare them to how our life is today and how it's not quite measuring up to the images of the past in our minds. For instance, there's been times in my life where I've compared my relationship to the way it was back when we first got together. And then I felt a sense of deficiency for how things were in the present. I became dissatisfied with the way things were in the present like there was something wrong. So we also tend to do this with meditation.
We may have had a very pleasant experience in meditation in the past, perhaps feelings of deep, calm, or even sacredness. And then we tend to start comparing every meditation to that one and feel like something's gone wrong. We can't get back there into that state we remember. So it's really important to remind ourselves that getting into some particular state, no matter how pleasant or sacred, is not the goal of mindfulness practice. Mindfulness is really about allowing ourselves to come to our present moment experience with fresh eyes, with an attitude of warmth, acceptance, and curiosity.
We're really only able to be fully present with this fresh, new moment when we can let go of comparing it to a past one. We're aiming to live the experience of this moment as if it was the very first time. To lean into every sight and sound wholeheartedly, allowing it to be just as it is and appreciating it. So the next time you find yourself comparing the past to how things are now, see if you can let go of the memories from the past so that you can be fully present to have your magic moment in the now. As always, thank you for your practice and your presence here with us.
And let's settle in now for today's meditation.
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- 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.
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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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