Our full selection of articles exploring meditation.
Signs of progress in meditation are subtle. If you’re not as bothered by what used to bother you, you’re more often in the present, or you’re having random “mindful moments,” you’re probably making progress in meditation. The only way to see how much progress you make over time is to pay attention to your daily…
How long should you meditate? The short answer: meditate for any amount of time that’s sustainable for you. If you have time, try and meditate for 20-30 minutes. This length of time gives you a chance to get past the “busy mind” stage of meditation, and settle into a more peaceful rhythm that leaves you…
The main difference between prayer and meditation is that prayer involves belief in a deity and active communication, while meditation requires no beliefs and is an independent practice of nonjudgmental observation. Meditation and prayer have a close relationship. Both have been around for thousands of years, and to make matters more complex, there are forms…
While scratching an itch may “feel” like failing at your meditation practice, it isn’t. When you’re experiencing an itch during meditation, follow the ancient rule—if it itches, scratch it. Just make sure to do so mindfully. Inevitably, just as you get settled into your meditation, it happens—an itch. Your mind starts to focus on that…
Yes, meditation is a hobby. Some people have a hard time conceptualizing meditation, which is defined by “being” rather than “doing,” as a hobby. However, if meditation is part of how you like to spend your free time, it’s a hobby (and you can put it on your resume or CV, too). Have you ever…
Mantra meditation occupies your mind, stopping your normal train of thought and clearing your mind. For the purposes of this article, I reviewed the history of mantra meditation and also tried it myself using a free app, so I could compare it against my experience with other forms of meditation. Mantra meditation is a form…
Approximately 275 million people meditate around the world. The data behind this estimate is a combination of government surveys and Google Trends data across multiple languages. In this article, I’ll walk you through how I reached this estimate, and why I think it’s the most accurate answer to date. It’s harder to find an answer…
Is the best time for meditation before or after a workout? The short answer is that both options are totally fine. Preferably, you should do them in whichever order helps you keep both habits going long-term. Meditation and exercise in the morning is often seen as the ideal routine to prepare both your mind and…
Based on a variety of studies in recent decades on both IQ and EQ, it looks likely that meditation has the capacity to increase both your intelligence and emotional intelligence. Not only that—meditation can increase the physical size of your brain and help it work better. Let’s review what the scientific research says on meditation…
Meditation has been growing in popularity around the world for decades now. And of course, meditation has historical roots in countries like India, China, Korea and Japan. But where is meditation most popular today? While no reliable global surveys have been done on the popularity of meditation across the world, we can understand its relative…
The most popular place for meditation in the world is Melbourne, Australia. Other cities where meditation is popular include Dublin, Ireland; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; and Mumbai, India. This article is based on Google Trends search data and is driven by relative popularity, taking overall population into account. You can see our methodology below….
Sleep and meditation are different processes, and are not interchangeable. However, studies have shown that experienced meditators do tend to sleep less, and also that meditation can help reduce exhaustion and daytime drowsiness. When it comes to meditation and sleep, there’s much more anecdotal experience than there is scientific evidence. Some meditators report needing less…
What’s the main difference between yoga vs meditation? Yoga is a holistic practice intended to unify the body and mind. Meditation falls under the umbrella of yoga activities, as a practice specifically focused on the mind. When you’re lying at the end of a yoga session in Savasana—the resting pose at the end of many…
The best thing to do after meditation is to continue to sit for a bit longer, processing your experience and maintaining a state of calm. If you have time, move on to an activity that supports your mindfulness, like journaling to consolidate the progress you have just made, or walking meditation. You might be wondering…
Can you meditate with eyes open? Some meditation traditions default to recommending eyes closed during meditation, but others recommend meditation with eyes open. In this article, I’ll explain how to meditate with your eyes open, and why you might want to. Most of us default to closing our eyes when we meditate. But we don’t…
The main difference between Zen meditation and mindfulness is that while both cultivate awareness, Zen meditation techniques are firmly rooted in Buddhism, while the modern mindfulness movement is secular. The goal of Zen meditation is to achieve a state of pure awareness and enlightenment. Mindfulness is a secular awareness practice and isn’t connected to a…
Did Jesus meditate? In short, yes — but it depends on the definition of meditation used. Biblical records show Jesus spent much time in solitary prayer and contemplation. In addition, some Jewish teachers in the time of Jesus were beginning to adopt a more personal, mystical approach to religion. There’s significant debate about whether Jesus…
When I went on a 10 day silent meditation retreat, I had no idea what to expect. If you’re considering a meditation retreat, my hope is that my experience may help you. Wondering what it’s like to go on a meditation retreat, and if it’s worth it? The retreat I joined was a 10-day silent meditation…
Most of us feel like we “fail” at meditation as soon as we get distracted. But the truth is, that’s what meditation is about: getting distracted and then coming back to the present moment. Without distraction, the exercise wouldn’t work. In this article, I’ll discuss why “failing” at meditation is necessary along the path to…
