Last Updated on March 28, 2024 by Home in the World
Mindfulness and meditation seem to have become buzz words that many people view with scepticism, believing them to just be another fad. The reality is, however, these concepts have been around for thousands of years. They are nothing new or revolutionary. And their power lies in their simplicity. But this simplicity can be deceptive.
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Meditation in general
Just sitting for 10 minutes doing ‘nothing’ sounds easy, right? Yet ask most meditators and they will say it is something they have struggled to truly master even after years. And that’s ok. The challenge of meditation IS its simplicity. Don’t overthink it. Don’t expect your mind to be empty. Let thoughts come, observe them, just don’t engage with them; don’t get caught up in them.
And if actual meditation still isn’t for you (though don’t use time as an excuse; everyone can find 5 or 10 minutes in their day – it’s just about priorities), mindfulness is a practice that can be applied to virtually anything. The idea is simply to be present in whatever it is you’re doing. If you’re going for a run, focus on being present with your run, observing your breathing and listening to your feet pounding the pavement.
If you’re cooking, focus on the sights and smells of what you’re making, and perhaps even on the rhythmic motion of stirring or mixing. If you’re eating, eat mindfully. Savour each bite and explore what is actually going on in your mouth. And if you’re out with friends, listen mindfully and actively. Try to fully engage in what they are saying, rather than just pre-thinking your next reply.
I have found that meditation actually helps with all of these things. After many years, I am still a pretty bad meditator. I show up every single day and do it for at least 10 minutes, but my actual practice is very often restless and I find myself engaging too much in thoughts. But the biggest benefit I have found is my increased AWARENESS.
I am at least now aware of myself getting caught up in thought, and I have noticed that the awareness that has been cultivated through meditation is now permeating my daily life, enabling me to be a lot more present and aware when doing everyday things. The mind is like a muscle; it just needs to be trained.
Meditation is something very, very few people actually totally master. That’s why it’s called a practice. It is the practice of a lifetime and it is never too late to start. As Lao Tzu’s wonderful proverb goes, ‘the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’. You can take that very first step by trying some meditation apps that will help you on your way.
Below are 3 that I use and have found to be beneficial & user-friendly. This is not a sponsored post and I am not in any way affiliated with any of them; I am simply recommending them based on my own experience, in the hope that they may assist you too. I am also aware there are many, many more out there. So if there are any that you can recommend, feel free to leave a comment mentioning them!
Insight Timer
This was recommended to me as a largely free meditation app, and is currently my go-to meditation resource. While there are some paid premium sections, you can use most of the features without paying a cent. Access an ever-growing library of meditations, music, sleep stories and yoga exercises from practitioners all over the world, in many different languages – or simply set your own timer using customised sounds and bells.
A really great option for those not wanting to pay any subscriptions but still wanting extensive access to meditation and mindfulness resources. I love it and highly recommend it. Check it out here.
Logo source: Insighttimer.com
Calm
Billed as the #1 app for meditation and sleep, Calm has quite a lot to offer. I have personally used it for mindfulness with the Daily Calm narrated by Tamara Levitt, the Daily Trip narrated by Jeff Warren, and occasionally also the Daily Jay narrated by Jay Shetty. I have also meditated to the soundscapes. But there are movement exercises and sleep stories too, which I am yet to explore.
There are a small handful of features you can use for free, but if you subscribe (which I do, ~US$40 per year), you have access to many more. I like how customisable it is in terms of sounds and themes, and how you can log your own meditation to keep your streak going even if you haven’t meditated using the app that day. Check it out here.
Logo source: Calm.com
Headspace
Headspace is perhaps the most famous meditation app of them all, founded by US-based Englishman Andy Puddicombe. I used to use this app exclusively several years ago but have since diversified, and now intersperse the odd session from here into my other apps. It offers a number of meditations for different purposes, and I have also tried out several of their soundscapes.
In general, I have found it to offer slightly less variety and be slightly less customisable than the other 2 apps, but it is still a good option for anyone wanting to start a meditation practice. Like Calm, I believe you can try some bits for free, and then pay a subscription thereafter (I am a paid subscriber, ~US$35 per year). Check it out here.
Logo source: Headspace.com
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