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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, we'll be exploring the value of trying the grace experiment. So the practice of saying grace before a meal is a really old tradition that's faded a little in recent generations. But it was really common in days gone by to pause and express gratitude before each meal. Now you might be hearing me talk about the practice of saying grace right now and already you're thinking to yourself, Melli, I am so not interested in something like that.
You know, maybe you associate this practice to religion and you're thinking, I just don't want anything to do with that. But just bear with me here. So at its core, this grace practice is simply a regular way to express gratitude. And here's why it might be of interest to you to try the grace experiment. In recent years, researchers have found that our ability to express and experience gratitude is a key determinant in our overall happiness and wellbeing.
According to Robert Emmons, a psychology professor at the University of California, the practice of gratitude can increase happiness levels by around 25%. In addition, he notes that people who express gratitude regularly have been shown to be less resentful, enjoy better sleep, exercise more often, and even have lower blood pressure. Several studies suggest that those who take time to be grateful on a regular basis enjoy reduced stress levels, stronger in the personal relationships. And according to Northeastern University psychologist, David DeSteno, gratitude makes people more selfless. But these great benefits come with a catch.
We only reap the benefits, says psychology professor, Sonja Lyubomirsky, if we express it on a regular basis. So the grace experiment is this, if you'd like to see firsthand how a regular gratitude practice might improve your quality of life, I encourage you for the next 30 days to try saying grace, at least once a day. So taking a couple of minutes per day, just to pause and contemplate what you're grateful for in life. And pairing it with another activity like a meal time is ideal so that you get into a regular routine. But it doesn't have to be with a meal.
You could do it before or after meditation, with your first cup of tea, before you go to sleep at night. So I invite you to just try this. And each time you say grace really let the energy of gratitude fill your body and mind and being attentive to how this regular practice of saying grace affects you in your life. And you might also find, as Robert Holden once said that, "The real gift of gratitude is that the more grateful you are, the more present you become." So we will start your grace experiment as part of today's meditation. So I invite you to settle in for that now.
And as a always, thank you for your practice.
The Grace Experiment
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, we'll be exploring the value of trying the grace experiment. So the practice of saying grace before a meal is a really old tradition that's faded a little in recent generations. But it was really common in days gone by to pause and express gratitude before each meal. Now you might be hearing me talk about the practice of saying grace right now and already you're thinking to yourself, Melli, I am so not interested in something like that.
You know, maybe you associate this practice to religion and you're thinking, I just don't want anything to do with that. But just bear with me here. So at its core, this grace practice is simply a regular way to express gratitude. And here's why it might be of interest to you to try the grace experiment. In recent years, researchers have found that our ability to express and experience gratitude is a key determinant in our overall happiness and wellbeing.
According to Robert Emmons, a psychology professor at the University of California, the practice of gratitude can increase happiness levels by around 25%. In addition, he notes that people who express gratitude regularly have been shown to be less resentful, enjoy better sleep, exercise more often, and even have lower blood pressure. Several studies suggest that those who take time to be grateful on a regular basis enjoy reduced stress levels, stronger in the personal relationships. And according to Northeastern University psychologist, David DeSteno, gratitude makes people more selfless. But these great benefits come with a catch.
We only reap the benefits, says psychology professor, Sonja Lyubomirsky, if we express it on a regular basis. So the grace experiment is this, if you'd like to see firsthand how a regular gratitude practice might improve your quality of life, I encourage you for the next 30 days to try saying grace, at least once a day. So taking a couple of minutes per day, just to pause and contemplate what you're grateful for in life. And pairing it with another activity like a meal time is ideal so that you get into a regular routine. But it doesn't have to be with a meal.
You could do it before or after meditation, with your first cup of tea, before you go to sleep at night. So I invite you to just try this. And each time you say grace really let the energy of gratitude fill your body and mind and being attentive to how this regular practice of saying grace affects you in your life. And you might also find, as Robert Holden once said that, "The real gift of gratitude is that the more grateful you are, the more present you become." So we will start your grace experiment as part of today's meditation. So I invite you to settle in for that now.
And as a always, thank you for your practice.
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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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- 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.
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You get a lot of useful tips for handling stress and anxiety in 'real life'.
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Highly recommend.
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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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