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Mindfulness Meditation for Modern Life
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What exactly is meditation? What’s mindfulness? And what’s the difference?
Featured

What exactly is meditation? What’s mindfulness? And what’s the difference?

ArticlesJul 15, 2020

Are meditation and mindfulness the same? How is mindfulness different to other types of meditation? And who practices it? Find out here.

Continue reading →
How I shut up for 3 days and blew my mind… right open
Featured

How I shut up for 3 days and blew my mind… right open

ArticlesAug 5, 2019

My first residential meditation retreat was held by Aruna Giri at Maitripa Centre in Healesville, Victoria in June 2019. Three days without talking, texting and Netflix! Here’s what went down.

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When meditation doesn’t work

When meditation doesn’t work

ArticlesMay 9, 2022

In the grips of intense anxiety, mindfulness meditation may seem like it’s not bringing relief, and so what’s the point? Plenty, actually.

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Panic stations: How to consciously question your anxiety and feel better

Panic stations: How to consciously question your anxiety and feel better

ArticlesApr 13, 2022

I was in the middle of a rip-roaring anxiety attack and yet 72 hours earlier, I was free. How could it have all changed so quickly?

Continue reading →
What meditating for an hour every morning REALLY looks like

What meditating for an hour every morning REALLY looks like

Articles, Guided Meditations, Open AwarenessMar 9, 2022

When you think of meditation, what comes to mind? This confession of an imperfect meditator might leave you inspired to loosen up a little.

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Don’t just do something… sit there!

Don’t just do something… sit there!

ArticlesFeb 10, 2022

With twinkling eyes and a mischievous grin that trumps Dumbledore’s, the late Thich Nhat Hanh has left a legacy for us all to aspire to.

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How to create an irresistible meditation practice the Atomic Habits way

How to create an irresistible meditation practice the Atomic Habits way

ArticlesJan 5, 2022

Using the wisdom from Atomic Habits, learn how to create a meditation practice that you’ll actually do using a simple four-step process.

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How to choose the right meditation for you

How to choose the right meditation for you

ArticlesDec 1, 2021

Meditation is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Here’s how to choose a meditation technique that’s right for you, based on your unique personality.

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The meditation phrase that changed everything

The meditation phrase that changed everything

Guided MeditationsOct 30, 2021

Restless, agitated and drowning in thoughts? This game-changing meditation phrase is guaranteed to soften the body and calm the mind.

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When things suck, rinse them off with R.A.I.N

When things suck, rinse them off with R.A.I.N

Difficult EmotionsAug 11, 2021

Find relief from difficult emotions by working through them in this classic 4-step mindfulness practice, RA.I.N.

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Mindfulness is not an autopsy of your experience

Mindfulness is not an autopsy of your experience

ArticlesJul 14, 2021

To ensure your mindfulness practice doesn’t become merely a clinical dissection of your experience, you need these two key ingredients.

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Access deep peace with this calming, self-acceptance meditation

Access deep peace with this calming, self-acceptance meditation

Insight MeditationMay 26, 2021

Welcome yourself home in whatever state you’ve arrived. This insight meditation accesses deep peace and acceptance. Includes 10 mins’ silence.

Continue reading →

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Recent Posts

  • When meditation doesn’t work May 9, 2022
  • Panic Stations: How to Consciously Question Your Anxiety and Feel Better
    Panic stations: How to consciously question your anxiety and feel better Apr 13, 2022
  • What meditating for an hour each morning really looks like
    What meditating for an hour every morning REALLY looks like Mar 9, 2022

themodernmeditator.me

Bec | The Modern Meditator
Emotions are ever-present, ever changing, ever wit Emotions are ever-present, ever changing, ever with a job to do. ⁠
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Take a look at this image. Lots of emotions here!⁠
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In the space of a few seconds I see:⁠
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😨 Anxiety - for how cold the water is going to feel⁠
🎉 Exhilaration - for how the water does feel ⁠
🥇 Pride - for taking the plunge!⁠
😁 Happiness - for the sheer delight of it⁠
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Earlier in the scene there may have been some envy for all the kids who were already having fun in the pool.⁠
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Later in the scene, there may have been sadness that the fun had to end.⁠
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I've identified six emotions here, and yet, only three of them are usually considered "positive" (exhilaration, pride and joy).⁠
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The other three emotions (anxiety, envy and sadness) are usually considered "negative", and it's true - at intense levels they're not pleasant to experience. ⁠
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But at the essence of all emotions is a purpose or a function; that's designed to help us, guide us, provide a unique kind of wisdom to us.⁠
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In this imagined scene, envy's gift provided motivation to go and join in the fun.⁠
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Anxiety's gift provided the adrenaline to face the cold and jump in.⁠
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And sadness's gift provided the release to let go of the fun once it was time to go home.⁠
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It's easy to observe the imagined emotions of another from a picture, not so easy to do it for ourselves, in real time.⁠
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With practice, we can get better at it, in meditation, or with journalling.⁠
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It all starts with the question - what is this emotion needing from me?⁠
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📸 Raj Rana, Unsplash⁠
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#emotions #emotionalintelligence #emotionalagility #mindfulness #meditation #contemplation #selfreflection #selfknowledge #happiness #anxiety #envy #sadness #anger #depression #shame #joy #fear #selfawareness #psychology #selfcompassion #compassion #foundationsofmindfulness #buddhism #contentment #innerpeace #insightmeditation #intuition #peace #wisdom
Heard this gem on @richroll's podcast interviewing Heard this gem on @richroll's podcast interviewing the Brooklyn Nine-Nine guy, @terrycrews.⁠
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"In order to have, you must do. In order to do, you must be."⁠
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I like it. What I take from it, is that in order to have a life that you want, you need to first get still and listen for the wisdom that arises in silence. The wisdom that says be yourself. Be you. Be that which aligns with your values.⁠
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And from this place of being, guide the actions of doing.⁠
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It's a similar quote to one I've shared before by Thich Nhat Hanh: Don't just do something, sit there!" That one makes me smile. 😁⁠
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Have you been presented with your own north star in meditation? 🌟  How did it feel?⁠
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#meditate #meditation #mindfulness #gowithin #innerknowing #innerwork #wisdom #intuition #values #habits #healthyhabits #progress #productivitytips #compassion #ethics #trust #trustyourself #personalgrowth #selfcompassion #higherself #selfhelp #innerguidance #yougotthis #selfawareness #themodernmeditator⁠
Feeling a great sense of love today as we welcome Feeling a great sense of love today as we welcome in a new government.  I can’t say I know all the ins and outs of politics, but I know I’ve changed my vote at the last second in previous elections based on fear or who I think I “should” vote for - and regretted it instantly.  This time was different, I voted with my heart and it felt right. Zero regrets.  📸 @jannerboy62  ·
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#Election #Australia #AusPol #Change #ALP #LabourParty #Democracy #Love #TrustYourGut #Instinct #Grateful #Mindfulness #Meditation #LovingKindness #Peace #Kindness #Lucky #Privilege
Wednesday night reminder ♥️⁠
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#mindfulness #selfcare #selfcompassion #compassion #lovingkindness #mentalwellbeing #anxiety #depression #shame #loveyourself #selfhelp #mentalhealth #innerwork⁠
#mindset #confidence #innerpeace #growth #wellbeing #awareness #meditation #happiness #shadowwork #themodernmeditator #kindness #resilience
Is it me, or are more men getting into meditation? Is it me, or are more men getting into meditation?⁠
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Over the years I've been part of meditation groups, I'd say the participation ratio has been 70/30 female to male. ⁠
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I even convinced my husband (not quite kicking and screaming, but almost 😆) to start meditating with me, and while he complains beforehand like one might gripe about going to the gym, I can see over time how he's benefiting from it, and gasp, even enjoying it. And he never misses a class! 🙌😁⁠
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It is heartening to see more and more men explore meditation and if in groups, bring their perspective to the shared meditation experience.⁠
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Are you a man who meditates? Do your friends know? What do you most get from the practice?⁠
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📸  Tim Bogdanov, Unsplash⁠
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#meditation #mindfulness #mindfulnesspractice⁠
#spirituality #mentalhealth #mindfulliving #metime #selfcompassion #healthyliving #inspiration #productivity #mindset #mindsetreset #habits #selfhelp #emotionalintelligence #emotionalagility #personaldevelopment #success #focus #anxiety #stressmanagement #stress #depression #anger #angermanagement
3 days to go! 🤩⁠ ⁠ Learn to Meditate Starts 3 days to go! 🤩⁠
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Learn to Meditate Starts this Thursday.⁠
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Over six Thursday evenings, you'll learn an essential life skill that's been handed down through generations long before science even knew what it was.⁠
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Now that science is all over it, it's validating to know how even 10 minutes of meditation a day, practised consistently, can support us in many areas of our lives:⁠
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💤 Sleep better: By slowing the heart rate and lowering cortisol levels (the stress hormone), consistent meditators fall asleep faster and stay asleep. The acceptance and equanimity developed over time also helps reduce rumination around going to bed.⁠
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🤩 Feel better: Meditation activates the body's "rest and digest" response, providing relief for immune systems battling constant stress. By taking regular mindful downtime, meditators tend to catch fewer bugs going around. ⁠
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👨‍💻 Work better: Meditation has been shown to literally change the brain, growing the thickness of grey matter in the pre-frontal cortex, associated with working memory, decision making and self-discipline. Meditation also stimulates the neocortex, where creative thinking and new ideas are accessed.⁠
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♥️ Love better: In becoming more mindful of thoughts, feelings and the environment, meditators learn how to better handle emotional intensity, equipping them to broaden their perspective and show compassion in the presence of others' suffering.⁠
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Keen to learn this fundamental, science-backed life hack? (Disclaimer: it's a lifelong one 😉)⁠
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Join me on May 19, 7:30-9pm for six Thursday evenings.⁠
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Register for a spot:⁠
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https://themodernmeditator.com.au/learn-to-meditate-course/⁠
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Link in bio.⁠
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#Meditation #Mindfulness #LearnToMeditate #TheModernMeditator #MindfulnessTeacher #MeditationMelbourne #MindTraining #MeditationClassesMelbourne #BeginnersMeditation #StressRelief #Anxiety #Depression #Grief #Anger #Fear #StressManagement #Sleep #Insomnia #MindfulnessForBeginners #MindfulnessMeditation #MindfulnessCoach #MeditationInstructor #MindfulnessTraining #OnlineMeditationClass #OnlineMeditationCourse #MindfulnessOnline
Struggling to make a decision about something? 🤔⁠
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We can ask others for their opinion, we can see how a similar path travelled by another panned out.⁠
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We can analyse data from the past and use trends to inform the next step.⁠
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AND⁠
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We can also get very still and very quiet and see what answers spring forth from a place of inner knowing, from nonjudgemental knowing. And start to understand what 'trusting your gut' really means.⁠
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It all starts with awareness, with dialling down our worldly inputs to make room for instinctive outputs.⁠
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From here you can see meditation is not just about becoming chill and relentlessly happy.⁠
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It's connecting to the deepest parts of ourself; our desires, our traumas, our blind spots, unconditional love.⁠
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And making decisions that include all our intelligences, emotional, spiritual, physical, and of course, intellectual.⁠
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Want to make better decisions?⁠
Learn to Meditate 💡⁠
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Starts this Thursday May 19 🤸‍♂️⁠
7:30pm for 6 weeks⁠
Register for a spot:⁠
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https://themodernmeditator.com.au/learn-to-meditate-course/⁠
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Link in bio.⁠
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📸  Vera Cho, Unsplash⁠
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#Meditation #Mindfulness #LearnToMeditate #TheModernMeditator #MindfulnessTeacher #MeditationMelbourne #MindTraining #MeditationClassesMelbourne #BeginnersMeditation #StressRelief #Anxiety #Depression #Grief #Anger #Fear #StressManagement #Sleep #Insomnia #MindfulnessForBeginners #MindfulnessMeditation #MindfulnessCoach #MeditationInstructor #MindfulnessTraining #OnlineMeditationClass #OnlineMeditationCourse #MindfulnessOnline⁠
Starts this Thursday! 🌟 May 19⁠ ⁠ LEARN TO Starts this Thursday! 🌟 May 19⁠
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LEARN TO MEDITATE…⁠
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Learn this essential life skill that’s been practised for more than 2600 years…⁠
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Learn how to calm your nervous system…⁠
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Learn how to stay on task…⁠
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Learn how to support emotional intensity… ⁠
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Learn how to experience more happiness and joy…⁠
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Learn how to actually do it. ⁠
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Join us:⁠
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https://themodernmeditator.com.au/learn-to-meditate-course/⁠
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Link in bio.⁠
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#Meditation #Mindfulness #LearnToMeditate #TheModernMeditator #MindfulnessTeacher #MeditationMelbourne #MindTraining #MeditationClassesMelbourne #BeginnersMeditation #StressRelief #Anxiety #Depression #Grief #Anger #Fear #StressManagement #Sleep #Insomnia #MindfulnessForBeginners #MindfulnessMeditation #MindfulnessCoach #MeditationInstructor #MindfulnessTraining #OnlineMeditationClass #OnlineMeditationCourse #MindfulnessOnline
Weekend vibes. 🕯 Allow yourself to slow down. Weekend vibes. 🕯
Allow yourself to slow down. 
To rest. To recalibrate. 
To welcome a freer schedule. 
Move your body. Stretch it out. 
Talk to a friend.
Breathe in some fresh air. 
Take some time for you. 
And others will be better for it, too. ❤️  📸 jfdelp, Unsplash
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#SelfCare #SelfCompassion #Rest #Rejuvenate #Relax #Meditation #Mindfulness #Compassion #SelfLove #Balance #Equanimity #Grounding #Groundedness #Wisdom #GoWithin #Productivity #Weekend #WeekendVibes #Change #NoHurry #AntiHustle