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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 woman meditating, but she's made of neon lines
Magazine
Confessions of an Anxious Meditator 

The poster-child picture of the meditator is often someone with a blissed-out beatific smile, looking as if they are about to float into space. In fact, meditation puts us in touch with the anxiety we all carry as living, breathing human beings. And that’s why it can be so helpful. Read More 

  • Barry Boyce
  • May 17, 2017
gold mirror with text objects in mirror may be younger than they appear. anti-aging
Magazine
Anti-Aging? No Thanks 

Denial—even resistance—to getting older is a natural impulse. But what if we embraced our impermanence? Read More 

  • Elaine Smookler
  • April 1, 2017
two goldfish in a bowl turned away from each other
Magazine
What is Love? 

There is no single answer to that profound question. Nor should there be. When Barbara Graham sought deeper connection within her decades-long marriage, she discovered that love is not something we can find and make perfect: it's a mindset. Read More 

  • Barbara Graham
  • April 1, 2017
man checking map on table
Learn
What You Practice Grows Stronger 

When it comes to making changes, we all have one habit in common that holds us back: self-judgement. The neuroscience of mindfulness suggests lasting change requires a softer touch. Read More 

  • Mindful Staff
  • March 24, 2017
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