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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
Have you ever noticed someone sitting alone at a restaurant? Often, when we see people sitting alone, especially in public spaces, they’ll be holding their phones. Maybe they’re scrolling, watching a video, or listening to something. We get it. Whether catching up on email, scrolling Facebook, or watching YouTube videos, they can be a means to seemingly enhance the moment. We've all had experiences where we're doing something that appears relatively mundane, just like sitting quietly and having a meal.
Every now and again, we might notice someone who stands out — someone who’s not on their phone, not reading a book, or doing anything else. They’re simply there, being present.
When we notice this, we can begin to wonder about the logic to put your phone away in those moments. If we strip away judgments of whether we “should” or “shouldn’t" be on our phones, it can make each moment seem more enjoyable.
In life’s seemingly mundane moments, we turn to our phones for entertainment.
Here are three reasons why putting your phone away in those moments can help you feel a little calmer and happier.
Often what’s happening in those moments where you're sitting in a coffee shop, there's going to be an instinct to fill that time with some increased sense of pleasure. We feel that conditioning of the mind that rapidly wants to fill that gap to entertain itself. It’s a cycle we can easily reinforce by playing it out in a single second. When your mind feels that desire to fill the gap and gets that desire met, the desire can feel stronger in the future.
Next time this happens, see if you can relax into that void where we feel a pull to be entertained. When you pause and notice that tension, you’re actually starting to recondition the mind in relation to that desire. And then subsequently, in the future, that desire has less of a grip on you and creates less tension within you — ultimately leading to a greater sense of peace in the mind.
Kelly Boys shares two science-based insights on relaxing in a chaotic world.
Concentration is becoming a bit of a lost art right now. There are many ways we can distract ourselves. Concentration only develops through a series of sustained moments of awareness, essentially reducing moments of being unpleasant. It’s not only useful for productivity at work and getting things done, but it can produce deep tranquillity.
Practicing the art of concentration will inevitably lead to subsequent moments of focus. You'll be more inclined to practice that way of relating to your daily tasks if you practice during these simple moments where you’re tempted to pull out your phone.
Try this 60-second meditation to improve your focus.
Filling our seemingly mundane moments with entertainment can be a slippery slope. The phone is more entertaining than a salad — we can't deny that. But what happens when we fuel that initial impulse? The subtle pleasures that might come with the simplicity of whatever we’re doing, such as eating a meal, become seemingly less compelling. We may not notice the sight, taste, and quality of the food.
Drop into the natural happiness that arises when we're deeply present.
Set an intention for your next cup of coffee or tea and see if you can be with the subtle joys. Take a sip, and then take a breath. While being still, let the taste settle in your mouth. And then, try it again.
As you practice this, you’re cultivating a resilient mind — one that's a little less busy and more at peace.
We hope this inspires you to put down the phone for a moment, and see how you experience life, hands-free, and have fun exploring this idea. It’s all part of the journey of practicing being human.
Beyond the concept of here and now, how much power do you need? To go anywhere else you need power, but to be here what do you need?
Enjoy these articles, stories, and guided practices for incorporating mindfulness into every day.
Mindful Meditation Program for Beginners
Join Mindfulness.com co-host Cory Muscara for a 10-day course to master the foundational principles of mindfulness and establish a realistic daily mindfulness practice that can easily integrate into your modern, busy life.
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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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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
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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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