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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
The modern lifestyle is characterized by a relentless pursuit of mental stimulation. From the moment we wake up, we're bombarded with information and tasks. Our days are filled with scrolling through digital content, tackling to-do lists, and engaging in a constant stream of activities. This incessant need for stimulation leaves little room for stillness or silence. As a result, when we do encounter moments of quiet or inactivity, they feel uncomfortable, even jarring. This discomfort, often labeled as boredom, is not just a lack of something to do; it's a reflection of our unease with stillness.
In meditation, when stripped of our usual distractions, we come face-to-face with this unease. Boredom emerges not from the practice itself but from our conditioned response to silence and stillness. It's a product of a mind unaccustomed to being without constant stimulation. When boredom arises during meditation, it's common to question the practice's value, wondering if our time could be better spent on something more 'productive' or 'interesting.' However, this reaction only feeds into the cycle of seeking endless stimulation, leading us further away from true presence and fulfillment.
The real opportunity in facing boredom is learning to stay with it, rather than fleeing from it. It's about training our minds to gently acknowledge and accept discomfort, to remain present, calm, and grounded. This practice is not about enduring boredom for boredom's sake; it's about cultivating a different relationship with our inner experiences.
When boredom surfaces, instead of instinctively reaching for a distraction, we can choose to explore it. What does boredom feel like? Is it a sensation in the body, a series of thoughts, or a combination of both? This exploration often reveals that boredom is not as intolerable as we initially believed. It's a collection of sensations and thoughts that, like all things, are impermanent and manageable.
By practicing staying with boredom, we train ourselves in the art of presence. This skill extends far beyond our meditation practice, seeping into our daily lives. We become less reactive, more composed, and clearer in our thoughts and actions. This newfound clarity and calmness allow us to be more present in our experiences, more engaged in our relationships, and more at peace with ourselves.
The benefits of embracing boredom are profound. We learn to find contentment in simplicity, to appreciate the present moment without the need for constant entertainment or activity. This shift in perspective can lead to a more authentic, grounded, and fulfilling existence. We discover that true fulfillment doesn't lie in perpetual busyness or constant mental stimulation but in our ability to be fully present and at ease in the here and now.
In summary, boredom in meditation is not a sign of failure but an invitation to deepen our practice. It challenges us to confront our conditioned need for constant stimulation and to rediscover the peace in stillness. As we learn to embrace boredom, we open ourselves to a more mindful, serene, and fulfilling life. Let us remember, the next time boredom arises, to see it not as an enemy but as a teacher, guiding us towards a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.
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Melli has a beautiful way of guiding and reminding us of the stillness within.
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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.
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Truly life changing. This isn't solely meditation and mindfulness...this is about striving to be the best the versions of ourselves.
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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.
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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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