Our full selection of articles exploring meditation.
How often should you meditate? If you’re not sure, shoot for 13-15 minutes per day over the course of 8 weeks. This puts you in line with many of the studies that have shown the benefits of meditation. However, if you can’t meditate daily, irregular meditation can still help. Here’s a scenario you might have…
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 religion, and enlightenment is not a goal. The main difference between Zen meditation and mindfulness is that while both cultivate awareness, Zen meditation is firmly rooted in Buddhism,…
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….
Meditation is not a sin. All Christian traditions are open, at a minimum, to meditation practices like contemplative prayer that incorporate a Christian perspective. Some discourage secular mindfulness meditation, while others see it as simply a mental health tool that’s compatible with Christianity. As mindfulness meditation has skyrocketed in popularity in the 21st century, it’s…
Why is meditation so hard? Meditation and mindfulness are 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….
