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:
Hey, welcome back to your Daily Mindfulness. I think when a lot of people think about meditation or what it's all about, they know that it has to do with focusing on something. And often the first thing that comes up is the breath and they think, okay, so meditation is all about focusing on the breath. And I want to challenge that here. There is something to being able to stay present to the breath and following the breath and learning about the breath, seeing that it comes and it goes, it arises and passes.
And that's teaching us about the nature of experience. That it's impermanent. It shifts. There's a new beginning moment to moment. So we can learn that by focusing on the breath.
But in my experience, meditation is much less about what we're focusing on and much more about working with the mind that pulls us away from what we're focusing on. And I'm sure you've experienced this in your own meditation practice. You tried to maybe attune to the body. Or even right now, as you're trying to focus here. We can do it.
We know how to pay attention. We know how to be aware. We've all had moments of that. But where the real practice comes in. Is when the mind starts pulling us away or when all of the thoughts and the mental chatter and the judgment or the sensations or the emotions, the inner and outer chaos of our lives create some tension that makes our attention go someplace else.
So when we're talking about meditation, even if our anchor point, our stability point is something like the breath or the body, or perhaps even a mantra, it's important to keep in mind that it's not so much what we're focusing on, but how we're working with all of the things that are pulling our attention away from that. And each time the mind wanders, it's an opportunity. That's our practice. That's when we get to see how the mind seduces us into wanting to pay attention to something else. How two minutes into being with the breath, the mind goes, ah, this is boring.
I should check my phone instead. We're learning all the ways that that actually comes up in day-to-day life. In a conversation with someone, while we're trying to do work, we get distracted. The mind tells us we should be doing something else. But it's just like a jumpy little chipmunk going from one thing to the next, to the next to the next.
The more we can spot that, the more we can practice not getting caught up in it. And the more we can practice and train bringing the attention back, the more we develop that inner stability, that inner strength and that more grounded quality of peace. That's what we're working with. And it happens when we work with the mind that's wandering away from this moment. So we'll continue to explore this as we always do in our meditation practice.
But keeping in mind also as you go about your day. As always thank you for doing this practice because it's not easy. It takes some work, but it's a powerful resource to develop in your life. And I'm proud of you for continuing on that journey. I'll talk to you soon and take care.
Meditation Is Not About the Breath
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.
Hey, welcome back to your Daily Mindfulness. I think when a lot of people think about meditation or what it's all about, they know that it has to do with focusing on something. And often the first thing that comes up is the breath and they think, okay, so meditation is all about focusing on the breath. And I want to challenge that here. There is something to being able to stay present to the breath and following the breath and learning about the breath, seeing that it comes and it goes, it arises and passes.
And that's teaching us about the nature of experience. That it's impermanent. It shifts. There's a new beginning moment to moment. So we can learn that by focusing on the breath.
But in my experience, meditation is much less about what we're focusing on and much more about working with the mind that pulls us away from what we're focusing on. And I'm sure you've experienced this in your own meditation practice. You tried to maybe attune to the body. Or even right now, as you're trying to focus here. We can do it.
We know how to pay attention. We know how to be aware. We've all had moments of that. But where the real practice comes in. Is when the mind starts pulling us away or when all of the thoughts and the mental chatter and the judgment or the sensations or the emotions, the inner and outer chaos of our lives create some tension that makes our attention go someplace else.
So when we're talking about meditation, even if our anchor point, our stability point is something like the breath or the body, or perhaps even a mantra, it's important to keep in mind that it's not so much what we're focusing on, but how we're working with all of the things that are pulling our attention away from that. And each time the mind wanders, it's an opportunity. That's our practice. That's when we get to see how the mind seduces us into wanting to pay attention to something else. How two minutes into being with the breath, the mind goes, ah, this is boring.
I should check my phone instead. We're learning all the ways that that actually comes up in day-to-day life. In a conversation with someone, while we're trying to do work, we get distracted. The mind tells us we should be doing something else. But it's just like a jumpy little chipmunk going from one thing to the next, to the next to the next.
The more we can spot that, the more we can practice not getting caught up in it. And the more we can practice and train bringing the attention back, the more we develop that inner stability, that inner strength and that more grounded quality of peace. That's what we're working with. And it happens when we work with the mind that's wandering away from this moment. So we'll continue to explore this as we always do in our meditation practice.
But keeping in mind also as you go about your day. As always thank you for doing this practice because it's not easy. It takes some work, but it's a powerful resource to develop in your life. And I'm proud of you for continuing on that journey. I'll talk to you soon and take care.
Duration
Play in-app
Scan the following QR code with your camera app to open it on our mobile app
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.
-
Thank you for joining us
Dive into the full library and enjoy all it has to offer!
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.
Sign up or login to your mindfulness account to proceed.
Sign up or login to your mindfulness account to proceed.
Mindfulness
One membership to gain access to a world of premium mindfulness content created to help you live happier and stress less.