• About
  • Beginner’s Course
  • Meditation Group
  • Blog
    • Articles
    • Guided Meditations
      • Open Awareness
      • Breath Meditation
      • Difficult Emotions
      • Visualisation
      • Body Scan
      • Insight Meditation
      • Loving Kindness
      • Gratitude
      • Concentration Meditation
      • Walking Meditation
  • Meditation Archives
  • Gift Vouchers
  • Contact
  • About
  • Beginner’s Course
  • Meditation Group
  • Blog
    • Articles
    • Guided Meditations
      • Open Awareness
      • Breath Meditation
      • Difficult Emotions
      • Visualisation
      • Body Scan
      • Insight Meditation
      • Loving Kindness
      • Gratitude
      • Concentration Meditation
      • Walking Meditation
  • Meditation Archives
  • Gift Vouchers
  • Contact
Close search
The Modern Meditator
Mindfulness Meditation for Modern Life
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Soundcloud
  • Email
Menu
  • Home
  • About
  • Learn to Meditate
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Weekly Classes
  • Blog
    • Articles
    • Guided Meditations
    • Meditation Archives
  • Contact

Tag: meditation

Switch

Switch

Open AwarenessDec 15, 2017

This meditation helps us switch away from distraction and procrastination and into what we’re supposed to be doing right now.

Continue reading →
2 Minute Meditation

2 Minute Meditation

Open AwarenessDec 1, 2017

When life’s going great it can be tempting to skip meditation. But regular practice helps keep up mental fitness. Even a 2 minute meditation helps.

Continue reading →
Feel It

Feel It

Difficult EmotionsNov 15, 2017

Anger and difficult emotions are amplified when we try to resist them. In this meditation we practice truly experiencing both negative and positive feelings.

Continue reading →
Receiving

Receiving

Loving KindnessNov 2, 2017

In this mediation we learn to receive the gifts that others are offering as a way of countering loneliness, creating balance and practicing self-compassion.

Continue reading →
Stay

Stay

Difficult Emotions, Open AwarenessOct 28, 2017

We often run from difficult experiences, but in this meditation we can practice the skill of being present – of staying – using the acronym STAY as a guide.

Continue reading →
The Beautiful Breath

The Beautiful Breath

Breath MeditationOct 15, 2017

Elevating our perception of the breath from something that’s ordinary to something quite extraordinary. Our very own superhero.

Continue reading →

Posts navigation

1 … 4 5

A li’l calm to your inbox?

Subscribe to my newsletter and receive guided meditations straight to your inbox. No spam and no sales pitches, just a little bit of calm to help you navigate modern life.

Recent Posts

  • How meditation works to relax the body and mind_the modern meditator
    Sensing calm: How meditation works to relax the body and the mind Jun 29, 2022
  • 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

themodernmeditator.me

Bec | The Modern Meditator
I recently led an intimate all-women retreat theme I recently led an intimate all-women retreat themed, "Embracing Impermanence".⁠
⁠
While we were each there to unplug, to luxuriate in six hours of quiet, and to meet whatever personal themes arose for us in meditation, this overarching prompt was an invitation to understand more deeply the nature of reality...⁠
⁠
That nothing lasts - and everything changes.⁠
⁠
One of the questions I contemplated was, if today was my last day, what would I do? What would I say? What would I think? ⁠
⁠
I'm not talking about the grand gesture of saying screw it to your boss, or the hedonism of eating as many donuts than your shame can handle (though, that might be nice!)⁠
⁠
It's the little things, which ironically, @lamasuryadasusa discusses in his book The Big Questions:⁠
⁠
“A keen sense of life’s tenuous, evanescent nature, helps us to let go a little. Prioritise things in light of the fact that we won’t be here forever. Experience gratitude, reverence and awe. And realise that we can ill afford to procrastinate regarding the most important matters and people.⁠
⁠
Such awareness helps us to cherish life... and value time, energy and the inconceivable magic of aliveness itself - rather than squandering it.”⁠
⁠
How does that sit with you? The inconceivable magic of aliveness itself?⁠
·⁠
·⁠
·⁠
·⁠
·⁠
#meditation #contemplation #buddhism #meditationretreat #life #impermanence #change #letgo #lettinggo #surrender #selfacceptance #innerpeace #selfcompassion #innerwork #selfempowerment #intentionalliving #innerguidance #mortality #spirituality #awareness #meditate #peace #mindfulness #mindfulliving #themodernmeditator #gratitude #reverence #awe
My sister went to Fiji recently and posted hundred My sister went to Fiji recently and posted hundreds of photos like this one (which I swiped from her Facebook, thanks sis!) over the course of a week. While my own experience in Melbourne was pretty much the opposite - chilly and gloomy, thankfully my meditation practice helped me stop the comparison and revel in "mudita" - or vicarious joy.⁠
⁠
Mudita is one of the four "brahma-viharas", or "sublime attitudes" taught by the Buddha. In addition to lovingkindness (metta), compassion (karuna) and equanimity (upekkha), vicarious joy or empathetic joy (mudita) is when you feel joy for another's joy.⁠
⁠
In the age of social comparison at our finger tips, this is a worthy quality to train, not only for our relationships but for our own mental health.⁠
⁠
As a meditation practice, the instruction to cultivate mudita could be to:⁠
⁠
✨ Close your eyes⁠
⁠
✨ Bring to mind a loved one or friend you hold dear⁠
⁠
✨ Imagine a scene where they are experiencing happiness, pride or good fortune (like, on their wedding day, for something they've achieved, or simply when they laugh)⁠
⁠
✨ See if you can "catch" some of their joy, feel their joy in your own body (experience emotion contagion)⁠
⁠
✨ Know that there is enough joy to go around. Consider that their joy does not in any way leave the world short of joy (in fact, it only amplifies it.)⁠
⁠
I'd like to add here that the predominant emotion that arises with social comparison is envy. So it's also wise to consider that while mudita practice can ameliorate the sting of social comparison, envy in itself is not negative. In fact, it wants us to examine the distribution of wealth and material things, and ask, is this fair? Is this OK? Something to keep in mind.⁠
⁠
Now, go, think about my sister in Fiji and see if you can catch some of that joy! ✨⁠
·⁠
·⁠
·⁠
·⁠
·⁠
#joy #mudita #meditation #mindfulness #equanimity #buddhism #happiness #fiji #holiday #vacation #selfawareness #selfcompassion #socialcomparison #mentalhealth #abundance #envy #jealousy #emotions #emotionalagility #selfdevelopment #selfcare #perspective #changeyourmind #mindset #mindsetshift #trainyourbrain #emotionalintelligence #neuroplasticity
In martial arts, techniques are spoken of as "hard In martial arts, techniques are spoken of as "hard" and "soft".⁠
⁠
To meditate is to "train soft" so to speak.⁠
⁠
There are plenty of cultural cues encouraging us to "train hard" - whether that be at the gym, at work, at parties... even TV isn't to be enjoyed delicately, it must be binged. 😂⁠
⁠
When we meditate, however, we are "training soft" to build qualities like restraint, patience, presence, empathy, gratitude, awe and wonder.⁠
⁠
🖤⁠
⁠
So, what might "training soft" look like?⁠
⁠
Take walking for example. So often, we walk to get from A to B; or to achieve a goal like distance, steps, fitness or speed. There's usually an element of striving when we walk.⁠
⁠
Training soft seeks to remove the striving and walk for the experience of walking itself. To feel the soles of the feet connecting with the ground beneath, to notice our balance, to be present to the air on our skin, to receive sounds, sensations and sights.⁠
⁠
Or when we meditate on the breath, to recognise its cyclical, rhythmic nature; and how what we breathe out, the planet breathes in.⁠
⁠
In order to enjoy a full, whole life, training hard will take us places... and training soft will allow us enjoy them. ✨⁠
⁠
⁠
📸 @hushershe⁠
⁠
·⁠
·⁠
·⁠
·⁠
·⁠
#meditation #meditate #mindfulness #mindfullife #wisdom #gratitude #awe #wonder #presence #equanimity #empathy #compassion #softskills #nonstriving #zen #buddhism #balance #innerpeace #selfcare #yogi #martialarts #metime #patience #patienceisavirtue #success #ambition #awareness #happiness #productivity
What is spiritual bypassing?⁠ ⁠ It’s when we What is spiritual bypassing?⁠
⁠
It’s when we use a practice like meditation to avoid our feelings. 😱⁠
⁠
As someone who’s definitely used meditation to avoid her feelings, this lesson was huge for me. It knocked the wind out of my sails, actually.⁠
⁠
There are a few ways spiritual bypassing shows up, but in the context of meditation and mindfulness, it’s when we:⁠
⁠
⇴ Breathe away our anger (instead of examining what value has been broken and whether it’s appropriate to let it go or stand up for ourselves.)⁠
⁠
⇴ Are only ever grateful (and never question why envy or jealousy has arisen.)⁠
⁠
⇴ Repress our shame with a mantra (instead of letting it guide us to make amends and correct our behaviour.)⁠
⁠
⇴ Repeat positive affirmations (instead of welcoming the necessary experience of grief.)⁠
⁠
It's definitely a tricky balance and I've found myself overcorrecting at times for fear of being a spiritual bypasser! Avoiding gratitude, avoiding breath work, avoiding positive thinking. ⁠
⁠
I come back to the Buddha's philosophy of "the middle way" - and as with all things, practise everything in moderation. As someone who's also prone to all-or-nothing thinking, moderation is a practice, too.⁠
⁠
Why do you meditate? Do you recognise any bypassing tendencies in your practice?⁠
·⁠
·⁠
·⁠
·⁠
·⁠
#meditation #mindfulness #themodernmeditator #spirituality #groundedspirituality #spiritualbypassing #emotions #emotionalintelligence #emotionalagility #resilience #anger #grief #trauma #traumainformedmindfulness #shame #themiddleway #healing #toxicpositivity #authentic #positiveaffirmations #mantra #breathwork #grateful #gratitude #shadowwork #avoidance ⁠
⁠
I sometimes take for granted that people know what I sometimes take for granted that people know what meditation is.⁠
⁠
I chatted to someone recently who was curious about learning to meditate. I quickly realised we were starting at the very beginning. That all they knew about meditation was that it was something hippies did. ✌️ As mainstream as mindfulness has become, I realised how far we haven’t moved from this stereotype. (Which, then got me thinking, ohhh, am I one of those hippies too? 🤣)⁠
⁠
What struck me as I was describing the practice of resting our attention with a sensory experience, was just how basic, simple, and utterly ordinary it all sounded. Really? This is what the hype’s all about? Why would anyone bother?⁠
⁠
Once you’ve been meditating a while, your answer will be informed by the days that you don’t meditate - because you’ll feel it. You’ll feel off. NQR. Out of sorts. And you’ll remember, oh, I haven’t meditated in a few days. The contrast will be palpable. ⁠
⁠
That’s when you’ll realise the basic, simple, ordinary act of meditating was producing extraordinary results all along. ✨⁠
·⁠
·⁠
·⁠
·⁠
·⁠
#meditation #mindfulness #behere #bepresent #singletasking #timemanagement #productivity #productivitytip #selfcare #meditationpractice #mindfulnesspractice #healthyhabits #atomichabits #awe #wonder #reverence #grateful #gratitude #happiness #mentalhealth #wellness #wellbeing #compassion #selfcompassion #resilience #burnout #mindset #themodernmeditator #transformation #livewell
Shine bright 🕯️... but don't burn out. 🔥⁠
⁠
⁠
It's all about balance, right? ⚖️⁠
⁠
Time to put the pedal to the metal, time to put head to the pillow.⁠
⁠
A few minutes of meditation can make all the difference to being in balance. Tilting us back to centre when we've gone too hard at it out of habit.⁠
⁠
When we feel like we're rushing forward impatiently to the next thing before this moment has even passed us by, see what it's like to tuck in your chin and lean back a little. To hit the backspace on wishing the future was here any earlier than it is.⁠
⁠
Try phrases like:⁠
⁠
Just this.⁠
What's here now?⁠
Rest is productive⁠
It can wait⁠
⁠
And keep your fabulous flame burning long and bright 💫⁠
⁠
⁠
📸 @norevisions.co⁠
·⁠
·⁠
·⁠
·⁠
·⁠
#burnout #productivitytips #restisproductive #meditate #meditation #balance #yoga #timemanagement #highachiever #mindfulness #selfawareness #breathe #breathwork #metime #mindfulnesscoach #mentalhealth #wellbeing #wellness #selfcare #mindset #anxiety #overwhelm #busy #stress #depression #resilience #insomnia #entrepreneur
How to stop worrying about what other people think How to stop worrying about what other people think of you. 🤔⤵️⁠
⁠
I was forwarded an article recently, penned by performance psychologist @michaelgervais, entitled "How to Stop Worrying What Other People Think of You."⁠
⁠
In it he coins a take on FOMO - but instead of fearing missing out, we Fear Other People's Opinions.⁠
⁠
When we fear other people's opinions, according to Michael, we harm our potential. We conform, we play small, we ignore our own north star.⁠
⁠
The antidote? Self awareness, articulating our values, and creating a personal philosophy to live by.⁠
⁠
A personal philosophy statement is a word, phrase or sentence that encapsulates our values and guides our decisions.⁠
⁠
To come up with such a statement, he poses these questions:⁠
⁠
1. When I'm at my best, what beliefs lie just beneath the surface of my thoughts and actions?⁠
⁠
2. Who are people that demonstrate characteristics and qualities that are in alignment with mine and what are those qualities?⁠
⁠
3. What are your favourite quotes? Your favourite words?⁠
⁠
I did this exercise with a friend. We each drafted a personal philosophy and swapped it for the other to read.⁠
⁠
I ended up with two statements that are guiding me for the time being:⁠
⁠
"I listen to what speaks to me in silence." 🧘‍♀️⁠
⁠
"I grow beyond my conditioning." 🌱⁠
⁠
I gotta tell you, it works. Especially the latter statement. When I hesitate out of fear, out of old programming, I recall the statement and it guides my intention to be brave. To question the thoughts in my head and the havoc being wreaked on my nervous system.⁠
⁠
What kind of values do think would be part of your personal philosophy statement?⁠
·⁠
·⁠
·⁠
·⁠
·⁠
#meditation #mindfulness #selfawareness #personaldevelopment #growth #courage #fear #brave #personalphilosophy #values #moralcode #ethics #happiness #philosophy #beliefs #motivation #inspiration #wisdom #psychology #performance #clarity #personalgrowth #leadership #leadbyexample #confidence #vision #trust #intuition #instincts #gutfeel
45 today! 🥳⁠ ⁠ I don't feel 45 (however tha 45 today! 🥳⁠
⁠
I don't feel 45 (however that's supposed to feel.) Do other 45-year-olds love @TaylorSwift as much as I do? ⁠
⁠
I've spent almost a quarter of my life meditating. That makes me happy. That puts a big smile on my face.⁠
⁠
Despite having some rough days lately, I'm grateful. Grateful for my chalk-n-cheese kids, husband who makes me laugh, friends I adore, a house in the 'burbs, beach holidays, and the basics. Warmth, safety, hugs, love.⁠
⁠
Grateful to be alive, sharing meditation with you.⁠
⁠
I'll blow out the candles and make a wish:⁠
⁠
May we all be well.⁠
May we all be happy.⁠
May we all feel loved.⁠
May we be free from suffering.⁠
🎂⁠
⁠
⁠
📸 @jonathansborba⁠
·⁠
·⁠
·⁠
·⁠
·⁠
#meditation #mindfulness #birthday #thisis45 #friends #family #grateful #gratitude #joy #gemini #lovingkindness #compassion #highvibes #smile #mood #wisdom #innerpeace #selflove #love #swiftie
I've been experiencing anxiety a lot lately. I've I've been experiencing anxiety a lot lately. I've had three intense days of it in the last couple of months. I started to question my meditation practice. No amount of breathing, mantra reciting or body scanning was bringing me lasting relief.⁠
⁠
Then I remembered what's always been said about mindfulness, and what I've often said myself: meditation is not a panacea. ⁠
⁠
When doubt says, what's the point?, it's time to zoom out on our practice and take a bird's eye view of how meditation has informed our whole life - not just the sesame seed-sized aspect of being calm. ⁠
⁠
But when it comes to anxiety, what I hope I remember next time, is that it passes on its own. Questioning it, reasoning with it, trying to decipher the underlying cause of it isn't very helpful in the thick of it. Insights will come but they come after the dust settles.⁠
⁠
For example, after this latest episode, I realised what I thought was anxiety (I had a big presentation coming up) was actually also anger (about the way someone had behaved) and shame (about the part I played in it) all mixed together. Attempting to unravel all that when your heart is racing and your stomach is churning is futile.⁠
⁠
Can you relate? I've shared some more thoughts about anxiety, my experience of it, and what conclusion I came to about my meditation practice.⁠
⁠
Hint: it has a happy ending 😌⁠
⁠
https://themodernmeditator.com.au/when-meditation-doesnt-work/⁠
⁠
Link in bio.⁠
⁠
P.S. If you're struggling with anxiety right now, please don't try to fight it. It will pass soon enough. DM me if you need to offload your own anxiety secrets.⁠
·⁠
·⁠
·⁠
·⁠
·⁠
#anxiety #depression #anger #shame #meditation #mindfulness #stressrelief #mentalhealth #mentalwellbeing #wellbeing #selfcare #emotions #emotionalintelligence #anxietyrelief #thistooshallpass #mindfulnesspractice #mindbody #psychology #mindset #innerpeace #calm #healing