Meditation and Breathing
Choosing between guided and silent meditation
Guided and silent meditation suit different needs. Here is how their strengths and drawbacks compare, and how to pick a starting style with confidence.
The collection
Meditation and Breathing
Simple sitting practices and breathing exercises that settle the mind, with guidance on starting, choosing a style, handling distraction and keeping a short daily practice going.
Meditation and Breathing
Common mistakes in beginner meditation
Beginners often give up for avoidable reasons, such as expecting a blank mind, judging every thought, sitting too long, forcing calm or practicing only in a crisis. Here are the fixes.
Meditation and Breathing
How to start a simple meditation practice
A simple meditation practice needs a comfortable seat, a short daily time and an anchor for attention. Learn how to begin, how to use your breath and how to tell it is working.
Meditation and Breathing
Simple breathing practices for a calmer afternoon
Two simple breathing practices, a slow exhale and box breathing, can help you reset in the afternoon. Learn how to do each one, how to adapt the counts and when to stop.
Meditation and Breathing
What to do when your mind wanders during meditation
A wandering mind is a normal part of meditation, not a sign of failure. Learn how to notice drift, return gently to your anchor and handle strong restlessness.
Meditation and Breathing
What to expect in your first weeks of meditating
The first weeks of meditation are usually plainer than expected, with short sittings, a wandering mind and slow changes. Here is what to watch for and how to keep going.