Interested in mindfulness, but not sure where to start? There are many meditation apps, audiobooks, and programs available to you — before you get lost in the pile of choices, explore these three basic mindfulness meditations.
Mindfulness Meditation
To start, explore these awareness of breath meditation practices:
5-Minute Breathing Meditation
A basic meditation that focuses on following the breath to cultivate mindful awareness, by Diana Winston.
11-Minute Awareness of Breath Practice
An awareness of breath practice, from Susan Kaiser Greenland, that centers on one of the basics of mindfulness: how to sit and know you’re sitting.
20-Minute Breathscape Practice
A breathing practice from Jon Kabat-Zinn to tap into your capacity to be in touch with your experience, and to be awake and aware with no agenda other than to be awake and aware.
Once you’re familiar with how to work with your breath as an anchor for your attention, try branching out into practices for the body, loving-kindness, working with sounds, and longer meditation practices aimed at working with difficult emotions like anxiety.
Below is a list of other online resources offering guided meditations.
more mindful audio
- Free guided meditations from UCLA
Each week has a different theme, and usually includes some introductory comments, a guided meditation, some silent practice time, and closing comments. Presented by the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center. - UCSD Center for Mindfulness
Guided audio files for practicing Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) from the UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness. - Basic meditation with Tara Brach
Free meditations that you can stream or download. - Contemplative Mind in Society
Guided practices from Mirabai Bush, the center’s director, Diana Winston from UCLA’s Mindfulness Awareness Research Center, and Arthur Zajonc, president of the Mind & Life Institute. - Insight Meditation Society
Selected talks, podcasts, and audio streams, including various lengths of guided meditation.
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12-Minute Meditation: A Grounding Practice to Create Space in a Storm of Emotions
If you feel caught up in difficult emotions and are looking for gentle guidance to find a settled space again, this week’s grounding meditation is just for you.
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A Body Scan Meditation to Prepare Mind and Body for Sleep
In this week’s guided meditation, mindfulness educator Diana Winston walks us through a body scan meditation that’s perfect for those evenings when you need extra support winding down.
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Summer Meditation Retreat: 6 Mindfulness Practices for Self-Care
It’s time to slow down, be present, and appreciate the world around you. Explore these summer meditations from Barry Boyce, Sharon Salzberg, Sebene Selassie, and Jessica Morey that will help you get started.
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