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 we're going to talk about how to welcome all the different states of mind into your meditation. You know, when we practice meditation, it's common to start to think that we're aiming for a particular state of mind. And perhaps we had a previous meditation where we experienced a very pleasant state of calm or joy or contentment. And then sort of maybe this thought creeps in that somehow we got that particular meditation right that day.
So the idea kind of creeps in that that's what meditation is supposed to be like. So then we start to compare our next meditation's back to the pleasant one, instead of being fully open to just being with the mind as it is in the moment. You know, we may feel like we're not doing it right. Or even that we have a bad meditation, if it's not like that pleasant one. But if you think about mindfulness in its simplest definition, it's just being aware.
So that means being aware of the mind as it is in any moment. Awareness is not trying to make a particular state of mind happen. We can be aware of a busy mind, a still mind, an angry mind or a happy mind with total acceptance and equanimity. The point is that mindfulness isn't about getting into some special state of mind. In fact, from the perspective of meditation, every state is a special state of mind and every moment is a special moment.
Imagine a big, solid, majestic mountain. The mountain has sunshine and blue skies around it in summer, and then stones and hail and snow in winter. Springtime color and vibrancy all around. And, and then in the fall it might be still in calm. And as each season comes and goes, the mountain just remains steady, allowing all of that weather and all of those seasons to come and go, just welcoming everything.
And this is a good analogy for mindfulness. We allow all the mind states to come and go in a steady and welcoming awareness and viewing those mind states like the weather. You know, there's no right or wrong weather and there's no right or wrong way to feel. It's just feelings coming and going constantly. In the same way, we often learn the most valuable lessons of our lives in the difficult times.
We tend to learn the most about the mind when meditation is a bit more challenging. And of course we can enjoy those moments of calm and contentment as well. All of the seasons of life are welcome. So as much as possible in your practice, just letting go of the idea of aiming to get into a particular state of mind and just welcoming every mind state, every mood, every emotion into your meditation practice and into your life today. So as always thank you for your practice and for being here with us.
And now just inviting you to settle in for today's meditation.
Welcoming Every Mind State
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're going to talk about how to welcome all the different states of mind into your meditation. You know, when we practice meditation, it's common to start to think that we're aiming for a particular state of mind. And perhaps we had a previous meditation where we experienced a very pleasant state of calm or joy or contentment. And then sort of maybe this thought creeps in that somehow we got that particular meditation right that day.
So the idea kind of creeps in that that's what meditation is supposed to be like. So then we start to compare our next meditation's back to the pleasant one, instead of being fully open to just being with the mind as it is in the moment. You know, we may feel like we're not doing it right. Or even that we have a bad meditation, if it's not like that pleasant one. But if you think about mindfulness in its simplest definition, it's just being aware.
So that means being aware of the mind as it is in any moment. Awareness is not trying to make a particular state of mind happen. We can be aware of a busy mind, a still mind, an angry mind or a happy mind with total acceptance and equanimity. The point is that mindfulness isn't about getting into some special state of mind. In fact, from the perspective of meditation, every state is a special state of mind and every moment is a special moment.
Imagine a big, solid, majestic mountain. The mountain has sunshine and blue skies around it in summer, and then stones and hail and snow in winter. Springtime color and vibrancy all around. And, and then in the fall it might be still in calm. And as each season comes and goes, the mountain just remains steady, allowing all of that weather and all of those seasons to come and go, just welcoming everything.
And this is a good analogy for mindfulness. We allow all the mind states to come and go in a steady and welcoming awareness and viewing those mind states like the weather. You know, there's no right or wrong weather and there's no right or wrong way to feel. It's just feelings coming and going constantly. In the same way, we often learn the most valuable lessons of our lives in the difficult times.
We tend to learn the most about the mind when meditation is a bit more challenging. And of course we can enjoy those moments of calm and contentment as well. All of the seasons of life are welcome. So as much as possible in your practice, just letting go of the idea of aiming to get into a particular state of mind and just welcoming every mind state, every mood, every emotion into your meditation practice and into your life today. So as always thank you for your practice and for being here with us.
And now just inviting you to settle in for today's meditation.
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.