Our thinking minds deprive us of the happiness that comes when we are living fully in the moment.” – Ram Dass
Meditation
Meditation is an ancient wellness practice that focuses on training awareness, attention, and compassion. It helps you slow down, be present and put a stop to the incessant chatter in our minds.
But when you first dive into the practice, it can be overwhelming as you think there’s a “right” way to do it. But remember there is no such thing as perfect meditation. Sometimes your focus will wander, or you’ll forget to follow your breath. That’s part of the experience. What’s most important is that you meditate consistently.
In recent years, research has found countless benefits when it comes to meditation including its ability to help you reduce stress and anxiety, improve focus and concentration, and increase feelings of calm and relaxation.
The good news is anyone can do it, and it’s a simple practice to pick up — but it will take practice and consistency to feel the benefits. Not sure where to start? Below are a few helpful resources, including guided YouTube meditations and books that can help jumpstart your meditation journey.
YouTube: Sanity You Can Stream, For Free
High quality guided meditation videos that are freely viewable. Every meditation is produced with genuine care with an ethos to be all-inclusive.
Anchored by doctor and author Deepak Chopra to provide tools for personal and social transformation, this channel is dedicated to inspiring videos about healthy living, wellness and guided meditations.
Brought to you by the founder of Relax Me Online Australia, this channel has a great mix of meditations and relaxing music that have been leading the way for over a decade.
Guided meditations by a trained and certified hypnotist, this channel is a great place to stop, relax, listen in and witness the power of positive meditations.
Books: Read Your Way to a Clear Mind
Making Space by Thich Nhat Hanh
The perfect book for beginner meditators. In this short read, Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh breaks down how to establish a home meditation practice. It includes lots of creative practices and suggestions that stretch beyond simply sitting in meditation.
This book is written for the skeptics by someone who was one a hard skeptic himself, ABC News anchor Dan Harris. After having a nationally televised panic attack, Harris went on a mission to pivot his life and discovered meditation that helped him do just that.
How to Meditate: A Practical Guide to Making Friends with Your Mind by Pema Chödrön
When we look for a meditation teacher, we want someone who has an intimate knowledge of the path. Look no further than Pema Chödrön, whose gentle yet direct guidance has been lifechanging for both first-time and experienced meditators. With this book she explores in-depth what she considers the essentials for an evolving practice that helps you live in a wholehearted way.
Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn
A fantastic “modern” meditation guide from the father of modern mindfulness, Jon Kabat-Zinn. A straightforward guide that doesn’t just teach you how to meditate but teaches you why, on a fundamental level, meditation matters.