MindOwl

Meditation Training

Mindfulness

Meditation vs Mindfulness: How to Understand the Difference

Meditation vs Mindfulness. So – what is the difference between meditation and mindfulness? That is a question that we get from our students here frequently. With the increased popularity of mindfulness around the world, these two words get used almost interchangeably, when in fact they do not mean the same thing. People may say they […]

The definition of mindfulness according to psychology

Mindfulness practice has become increasingly mainstream in recent years, straying from its roots in Asia and growing in popularity in the West. Many people have embraced it as a part of their daily life, a practice that can significantly boost mental, physical, and emotional health. This development is partly due to changing beliefs about mindfulness […]

Respond, don’t React: Taming Stress through Mindful Presence

When you have felt under attack or unsafe, have you ever noticed that your reaction only worsened the situation? Then you might need to read on. In this article we’re going to be discussing the huge difference between reacting and responding to stressful situations, and how we can bring our minds to a point of […]

Can you listen to music while meditating?

The power of music is undeniable. Both listening to music and playing it yourself can bring intense joy, reduce stress, help us focus on the present moment, and relieve anxiety or insomnia. You may notice that these are also some of the key benefits of meditation. The powerful surges of energy and feeling that happen […]

Beginner’s Mind: The Art of Not Knowing

What is Beginner’s Mind? Originating from Japanese Zen Buddhism, the term ‘Beginner’s Mind‘ (or ‘shoshin’) refers to a paradox: the more you know about a topic, the more likely you are to close your mind to further learning. In the book, ‘Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind’, Shunryu Suzuki summarises this principle with the line ‘In the […]

Open Attention: A different way of paying attention

Being told to pay attention is one of the most common things we will hear in our lives: from our parents, teachers, partners, even our devices demand our attention with constant notifications and alerts. And yet we can often lose focus on our work or someone who is speaking to us, resulting in a feeling […]

How mindfulness can cure your email apnea

You may have heard of apnea in the context of sleep, but have you ever come across the term email apnea? Sleep apnea, for those who are unaware, is the condition whereby a person’s breathing will stop and start while they sleep. The other symptoms of sleep apnea can include making gasping or wheezing noises […]

The importance of Rituals in meditation practice

If asked there are many who would claim that we live in a modernised society, built on science and logic. They may be surprised to find out that actually, we are a population whose daily movements are often products of rituals. We are not just referring to those of us who follow a specific religion […]

Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional | How to avoid suffering unnecessarily

For many of us who have developed an interest in meditation, it is likely that we stumbled upon it in an attempt to end some form of pain or suffering in our lives – that may even be what has brought you to this very article. Whether we experience some form of chronic physical pain, […]

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