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How to Meditate: Meditation 101 for Beginners
10 Science-Backed Benefits of Meditation
What is Meditation?
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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
As human beings, we naturally yearn for pleasant experiences and recoil from those that are unpleasant. This instinctive response is deeply ingrained in our minds. When we face an unpleasant emotion, a setback, or any situation that deviates from our expectations, our first reaction is often resistance. We wish things were different, similar to desiring an orange to be an apple. However, this resistance does little but foster feelings of irritation, upset, and discontentment.
Our minds are almost robotically wired to resist anything perceived as unpleasant or unwanted. We label such experiences as 'bad' or 'wrong,' setting ourselves up for internal conflict and suffering. As the saying goes, "When you argue with reality, you lose, but only a hundred percent of the time." The truth is, both pleasure and pain, joy and discomfort, are natural parts of life's ebb and flow.
The key to navigating life's ups and downs lies in our ability to shift our mindset from saying 'no' to saying 'yes' to life as it unfolds. This doesn't imply passive resignation but rather an open, accepting, and kind attitude toward the present moment, regardless of its nature. It's about putting out the welcome mat for whatever arises, be it pleasant or unpleasant.
For instance, consider being at a train station and hearing that your train is delayed by 20 minutes. In this moment, you have a choice: you can resist the reality, fueling anger and frustration, or you can mentally acknowledge the situation with a 'yes'—an acceptance of the moment as it is. This 'yes' doesn't mean you like the situation or would have chosen it; it simply means you accept it to avoid additional self-created suffering.
Once you've embraced the practice of saying 'yes' to what is, your actions can stem from a place of internal peace rather than conflict. In our train station example, you might choose to simply wait or perhaps find an alternative route home. The difference lies in how you approach the situation: not as a battle to be fought, but as a reality to be accepted.
This approach allows you to reclaim your freedom and peace of mind. When unpleasant or unwanted situations arise today, experiment with this practice. Greet the moment with acceptance, friendliness, and presence. This simple yet transformative act of saying 'yes' to what is can significantly impact your experience of life, helping you navigate its unpredictability with grace and resilience.
As you continue your mindfulness journey, remember the power of acceptance in the face of life's inevitable challenges. Embrace each moment, whether it aligns with your desires or not, with a spirit of openness and peace. Thank you for your practice and for being a part of this mindful community. Let's carry this sense of acceptance and presence into today's meditation and beyond, nurturing a deeper connection with ourselves and the world around us.
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Melli has a beautiful way of guiding and reminding us of the stillness within.
- Adrienne James
I have been on a journey of healing and learning self-love. Amidst the work, I have been using the mindfulness app for the gentle reminders, guides to the moment (especially the difficult ones).
Kelly Boys offers a fresh and illuminating take on how to step out of lifelong patterns that keep snagging us.
- Tara Brach, PhD
Truly life changing. This isn't solely meditation and mindfulness...this is about striving to be the best the versions of ourselves.
- Marisa, Plus+ Member
Relaxing and assuring beyond description... thank you, Cory.
- Babs312
This is the app I turn to when I want to feel calm and loved.
- Abby
Melli has a beautiful way of guiding and reminding us of the stillness within.
- Adrienne James
I have been on a journey of healing and learning self-love. Amidst the work, I have been using the mindfulness app for the gentle reminders, guides to the moment (especially the difficult ones).
Kelly Boys offers a fresh and illuminating take on how to step out of lifelong patterns that keep snagging us.
- Tara Brach, PhD
Truly life changing. This isn't solely meditation and mindfulness...this is about striving to be the best the versions of ourselves.
- Marisa, Plus+ Member
Relaxing and assuring beyond description... thank you, Cory.
- Babs312
This is the app I turn to when I want to feel calm and loved.
- Abby
Melli has a beautiful way of guiding and reminding us of the stillness within.
- Adrienne James
I have been on a journey of healing and learning self-love. Amidst the work, I have been using the mindfulness app for the gentle reminders, guides to the moment (especially the difficult ones).
Kelly Boys offers a fresh and illuminating take on how to step out of lifelong patterns that keep snagging us.
- Tara Brach, PhD
Truly life changing. This isn't solely meditation and mindfulness...this is about striving to be the best the versions of ourselves.
- Marisa, Plus+ Member
Relaxing and assuring beyond description... thank you, Cory.
- Babs312
Shamash's guidance is a gift of wisdom to help us in our busy and stressful lives.
- Paul Gilbert, PhD, FBPsS, OBE, Centre for Compassion Research and Training, University of Derby, United Kingdom
Excellent! Cory gently guides you into internal peace.
- Steve Ericson
A necessary tool for those who feel lost.
- Piper
Just want to say a big thankyou to all involved as this has had a positive impact in my daily life 🙏 Valuable teachings that have allowed me to have a better relationship not only with those around me, but with myself. Heal ourselves and we heal the world 💫✨🌍
- Marty
I start every day with Cory or Melli for my daily practice. Including this app into my practice helps me continue to build more mental focus and understanding of my thought processes. What a welcome and powerful gift.
- Oku
Shamash's guidance is a gift of wisdom to help us in our busy and stressful lives.
- Paul Gilbert, PhD, FBPsS, OBE, Centre for Compassion Research and Training, University of Derby, United Kingdom
Excellent! Cory gently guides you into internal peace.
- Steve Ericson
A necessary tool for those who feel lost.
- Piper
Just want to say a big thankyou to all involved as this has had a positive impact in my daily life 🙏 Valuable teachings that have allowed me to have a better relationship not only with those around me, but with myself. Heal ourselves and we heal the world 💫✨🌍
- Marty
I start every day with Cory or Melli for my daily practice. Including this app into my practice helps me continue to build more mental focus and understanding of my thought processes. What a welcome and powerful gift.
- Oku
Shamash's guidance is a gift of wisdom to help us in our busy and stressful lives.
- Paul Gilbert, PhD, FBPsS, OBE, Centre for Compassion Research and Training, University of Derby, United Kingdom
Excellent! Cory gently guides you into internal peace.
- Steve Ericson
A necessary tool for those who feel lost.
- Piper
Just want to say a big thankyou to all involved as this has had a positive impact in my daily life 🙏 Valuable teachings that have allowed me to have a better relationship not only with those around me, but with myself. Heal ourselves and we heal the world 💫✨🌍
- Marty
I start every day with Cory or Melli for my daily practice. Including this app into my practice helps me continue to build more mental focus and understanding of my thought processes. What a welcome and powerful gift.
- Oku
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