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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, welcome back to your Daily Mindfulness. In today's session, we're going to talk about the importance of concentration. So I'd first like to share a quote with you from the Buddha. And he said this 2,600 years ago, he said, "We have lost respect for a concentrated mind." That's it. One line we've lost respect for our concentrated mind.
What I find hilarious about that is, again, that this was 2,600 years ago. What the heck would the Buddha say this, in today's day and age, looking at, you know, our relationship to concentration and focus? I do think it's interesting to hear this, you know, so many thousands of years ago, that he was still seeing this, that there's a tendency for humans to get distracted and to not respect the power of a concentrated mind. And that's what I'd like to focus on here today as a, another reminder that one of the things I see is we don't put enough value on the power of concentration for leading to tranquility, ease, stress reduction, and calm. So much, so much of the tension that we experience on a day-to-day basis is a mind that is just in opposition to what is here, that is feeling some dissonance between what it wants to be here and what is actually here. The powerful thing about concentration is that it closes that gap.
It essentially absorbs itself into whatever it is it's concentrating on. And that can include just the present moment experience. And think about these moments where you've just been deeply present, where the mind isn't trying to get someplace else, isn't thinking about the future, isn't caught up in the past. All of which is okay. We don't beat ourselves up for those thoughts, but when the mind really is anchored in concentration in that way, there's stillness ,there, there's ease, there's calmness.
A byproduct of a concentrated mind is tranquility. And a byproduct of often an agitated mind is stress or dispersed mind. Now it's possible and absolutely possible that we can cultivate a quality of ease by watching all of the thoughts move through our mind. You know, this also becomes the seeds for creativity and imagination. So there's merit to that.
But one thing I, I invite you to look at, as you continue on your meditation journey, is your emphasis on concentration. And what would it be like to take the development of concentration maybe a little more seriously in your meditation practice? We'll be doing a meditation today, specifically designed around cultivating concentration. But one way that we can do this is really paying careful attention to when the mind has wandered off. I'm really trying to notice that as quickly as possible. And then invite the mind back with curiosity to the thing that we're paying attention to.
The more we can reduce those gaps of mind wandering, the more quickly we can develop concentration in our meditation practice and the more we'll have access to that in our day-to-day practice. So just something to consider. And don't worry. I won't tell the Buddha about your concentrated mind. I won't tell him about my concentrated mind, as well.
Hopefully though we can start to regain some respect for a concentrated mind, and I think we'll all be the better for it. So thank you so much for your practice. Let's settle in for today's meditation.
The Importance of Concentration
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Hi, welcome back to your Daily Mindfulness. In today's session, we're going to talk about the importance of concentration. So I'd first like to share a quote with you from the Buddha. And he said this 2,600 years ago, he said, "We have lost respect for a concentrated mind." That's it. One line we've lost respect for our concentrated mind.
What I find hilarious about that is, again, that this was 2,600 years ago. What the heck would the Buddha say this, in today's day and age, looking at, you know, our relationship to concentration and focus? I do think it's interesting to hear this, you know, so many thousands of years ago, that he was still seeing this, that there's a tendency for humans to get distracted and to not respect the power of a concentrated mind. And that's what I'd like to focus on here today as a, another reminder that one of the things I see is we don't put enough value on the power of concentration for leading to tranquility, ease, stress reduction, and calm. So much, so much of the tension that we experience on a day-to-day basis is a mind that is just in opposition to what is here, that is feeling some dissonance between what it wants to be here and what is actually here. The powerful thing about concentration is that it closes that gap.
It essentially absorbs itself into whatever it is it's concentrating on. And that can include just the present moment experience. And think about these moments where you've just been deeply present, where the mind isn't trying to get someplace else, isn't thinking about the future, isn't caught up in the past. All of which is okay. We don't beat ourselves up for those thoughts, but when the mind really is anchored in concentration in that way, there's stillness ,there, there's ease, there's calmness.
A byproduct of a concentrated mind is tranquility. And a byproduct of often an agitated mind is stress or dispersed mind. Now it's possible and absolutely possible that we can cultivate a quality of ease by watching all of the thoughts move through our mind. You know, this also becomes the seeds for creativity and imagination. So there's merit to that.
But one thing I, I invite you to look at, as you continue on your meditation journey, is your emphasis on concentration. And what would it be like to take the development of concentration maybe a little more seriously in your meditation practice? We'll be doing a meditation today, specifically designed around cultivating concentration. But one way that we can do this is really paying careful attention to when the mind has wandered off. I'm really trying to notice that as quickly as possible. And then invite the mind back with curiosity to the thing that we're paying attention to.
The more we can reduce those gaps of mind wandering, the more quickly we can develop concentration in our meditation practice and the more we'll have access to that in our day-to-day practice. So just something to consider. And don't worry. I won't tell the Buddha about your concentrated mind. I won't tell him about my concentrated mind, as well.
Hopefully though we can start to regain some respect for a concentrated mind, and I think we'll all be the better for it. So thank you so much for your practice. Let's settle in for today's meditation.
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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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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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