Mindfulness Meditation
In recent years, mindfulness meditation has gained greater public attention. While it has strong roots in Buddhism, it also can be viewed through a secular lens, supported by scientific evidence. At its core, mindfulness meditation consists of paying close attention to your experience in the present moment: for instance, your breath, the sensations of your body, or the sounds in your environment. Importantly, you are attentive without judgment, without interpretation. You do not label one sensation as good and another as bad; rather, you simply aim to fully experience sensations as they arise.
Why Meditate
At first glance, mindfulness meditation can seem like an unproductive use of time. With a never-ending list of tasks and responsibilities, sitting still and "doing nothing" can feel daunting and impractical. In fact, a study conducted on college students practicing meditation for 12 weeks found that many of the students expressed doubts such as, "Does meditation really work?" (Sears et al., 2011). Despite this initial hesitation, the benefits of mindfulness meditation are vast and well-documented. Regular practice has been linked to improvements in mood, emotional regulation, concentration, and a decrease in stress, depression, and anxiety (Davis & Hayes, 2011). Therefore, establishing a consistent meditation practice can have a significant positive impact on one's overall well-being.
Consistent Practice
Starting and maintaining a consistent mindfulness meditation practice can be challenging. It's helpful to think of mindfulness practice like brushing your teeth or taking a shower — something that you do daily without fail.
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Another way to approach mindfulness meditation is treating it like a workout regimen. Just as you schedule regular exercise sessions, you can incorporate a daily meditation practice into your routine. For example, you might decide to meditate for 5 minutes every day at 9:45am before heading off to class or work. By setting a specific time and making it a habit, it becomes easier to maintain the practice for a longer period.
The Goal of This Site
The goal of this site is to provide guidance for those interested in starting or maintaining a mindfulness meditation practice. There are six practices, each with its own page. The content of each page will include a quick written introduction to the specific practice of the session, followed by a guided meditation directing you through the practice. Whether you are new to meditation or have been practicing for years, this site aims to be a valuable resource for your journey towards greater mindfulness and well-being.
Click here to begin the practices.
