Personal Essays

First-person stories about what mindfulness looks like in real, messy, everyday life. These essays are honest, personal, and often funny - written by people who've found that paying attention changes everything.
illustration of coastal hills with people, hot air balloons and numbers 1 through 8
Magazine
The 8 Week Journey to Now 

Alan Green enters the world of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction to give us a firsthand account of the world's most well-known meditation program. Read More 

  • Alan Green
  • August 1, 2017
illustration of sun behind dark clouds. confident by nature
Magazine
Confident by Nature 

We all possess a well of confidence. It doesn’t require a boost of self-esteem, and it’s not about feeling better than anyone else. Instead, confidence arises effortlessly when we’re truly and deeply connected with ourselves. Read More 

  • Mindful Staff
  • August 1, 2017
illustration of woman sitting under a tree
Magazine
The Power of Solitude 

Spending time alone with ourselves may not be easy or even desirable. But it’s key to getting to know who we really are. Read More 

  • Elaine Smookler
  • July 26, 2017
A pink hand emerges from turquoise water with fingers spread open.
Creativity
How Creativity Frees the Mind 

Hugh Delehanty embarks on a creativity and mindfulness retreat, where he discovers that the key to being creative is to strip away all but the essentials of who and what you are. Read More 

  • Hugh Delehanty
  • July 12, 2017
watercolor of snowy mountains with footprints in snow. go toward what hurts
Depression & Grief
Go Toward What Hurts 

Frank Ostaseski shares experiences from his decades working with dying people and those who are dealing with the death of loved ones. Read More 

  • Frank Ostaseski
  • July 5, 2017
artichoke on a table with other vegtables. a tender heart
Eating & Body Image
A Tender Heart 

Béatrice Peltre takes a moment to appreciate one of her favorite vegetables: the artichoke. Read More 

  • Béatrice Peltre
  • June 1, 2017
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