Our full selection of articles exploring meditation.
Wondering how to meditate with eyes open vs eyes closed? Some meditation traditions default to recommending eyes closed during meditation, but others recommend keeping your eyes open. There are benefits and drawbacks to each method. Most of us default to closing our eyes when we meditate. But we don’t have to. Monks in east Asia…
While mindfulness has a variety of forms, for many people, meditation is their go-to method of mindfulness. If you’re not sure how often to practice, shoot for 13-15 minutes per day over the course of 8 weeks. Here’s a scenario you might have faced: You’ve decided to take action—you’re going to get your mindfulness practice…
The main difference between Zen meditation and mindfulness is that while both cultivate awareness, Zen meditation is 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. Meanwhile, mindfulness is a secular awareness practice. It 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 retreat….
Why is meditation hard? It’s hard because the human mind is wired for distraction. Our bodies are designed to watch for threats and conserve energy. In some ways, to meditate is to fight the instincts that come most naturally to us. But with practice, it can become easier. Mindfulness isn’t easy. The human mind is…
