In this week's guided meditation, teacher and author Melli O'Brien offers a practice that uses gentle, steady awareness to help you find your calm center again when you're feeling wound up with stress or anxiety.

Melli is a mindfulness educator and mental health coach with over two decades of experience. She is also cofounder of Mindfulness.com and the Mindfulness Summit—the world's largest mindfulness conference. Melli has distilled and synthesized her knowledge on resilience, stress management, peak performance psychology, positive neuroplasticity training, and mindfulness into The Deep Resilience Method, released as her book Deep Resilience in February 2025. 

Starting July 15th, Melli is hosting The Deep Resilience Experience, a 30-day online course that will help you build unshakeable inner strength in 15 minutes a day. 

The transcription of this guided meditation will be online at Mindful.org next week. 

Stay curious, stay inspired. Join our community by signing up for our free newsletter:  mindful.org/signup

Show Notes

Find more from Melli O'Brien here.

To learn more about Melli's upcoming Deep Resilience Experience (and how you can get $350 in bonus gifts when you sign up before July 15th), click here. 

Go Deeper

Want to understand more about the connection between practicing mindfulness and easing anxiety? These three articles are a great place to start:

• Unwinding Your Anxiety Habit Loop 
• Most Habit-Change Tools Fail With Anxiety—Here's One that Works
• Why Does My Anxiety Keep Coming Back?
  

For more practice, here are 5 Guided Meditations for Panic and Anxiety that you can try when you need support.

And more from Mindful here:

More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

Sometimes the best gift we can give ourselves is just a moment set aside for quiet, breath, and reminding ourselves of who we really are. 

In this gentle guided practice, Kimberly Brown uses simple repeated phrases to ground attention and offer a place to rest and reset. 

Note that this practice includes longer pauses of complete silence for reflection and presence. If you want more time, feel free to pause the recording as you go.     

Kimberly Brown is a meditation teacher and author. She leads classes and retreats that emphasize the power of compassion and kindness meditation to reconnect us to ourselves and others. She studies in both the Tibetan and Insight schools of Buddhism and is a certified mindfulness instructor. Her book Happy Relationships: 25 Buddhist Practices to Transform Your Connection with Your Partner, Family, and Friends, is published with Prometheus Books. You can learn more about Kimberly on her website, www.meditationwithheart.com.

The transcription of this guided meditation will be online at Mindful.org next week. 

Stay curious, stay inspired. Join our community by signing up for our free newsletter:  mindful.org/signup

Show Notes

Find more from Kimberly Brown here and read her recent (and timely) article on Mindful.org.

Go Deeper

Want to learn more about how taking intentional breaks can make your days better? These two articles are a great place to start:

• Break Up Your Work Day with Purposeful Pauses
• How to Get Good Pause

For more practice, try this 12-Minute Meditation to Cultivate Calm and Clarity that you can turn to when you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed and need a break.

And more from Mindful here:

More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

Many modern Western cultures don't have a deep understanding of land as a source of collective identity, story, or purpose. There is a sense that, yes, land can be lovely—but it is mainly seen as a source of recreation or extraction, not necessarily as an integral part of what shapes us and future generations.  

In this guided practice, Indigenous scholar and teacher Yuria Celidwen introduces a fresh way to consider our connection to the natural spaces around us. This is a practice that invites reverence, gratitude, and belonging, where our experience of the earth moves from being strictly transactional to being interconnected and relational. 

This meditation is part of our Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement series, where we're sharing guided practices from the women featured in our 2025 special edition of Mindful magazine.  

If you'd like the transcription of this guided meditation, it will be online on Mindful.org next week. 

Curious about the many benefits of being a member? Learn about our subscription tiers and join Mindful here.

Stay curious, stay inspired. Join our community by signing up for our free newsletter, where we share compelling insights and actionable ideas to enrich your everyday life. Connect with us at mindful.org/signup.

Show Notes

Find more from Yuria Celidwen here.

You can learn more about Yuria's story and how her work is fostering an "ethics of belonging"  on Mindful.org, where we interviewed her for our 2025 Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement feature.

And more from Mindful here:

More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

Join us for a transformative meditation led by Jessica Morey, as we explore the power of connecting with our own goodness. By anchoring ourselves in feelings of love and gratitude, we can cultivate a sense of loving-kindness and compassion that extends beyond ourselves and into the world.

In this practice, Jessica guides us through various steps to deepen our connection with ourselves and others. Starting with listening to our bodies and surrendering to gravity, we embrace the support and kindness within and around us. Placing a hand on our body, we offer soothing and supportive gestures throughout the practice.

Through breath and intention, we wish ourselves well and explore phrases of loving-kindness and self-compassion. We allow these well wishes to permeate our being, bathing every cell of our body in happiness and ease.

With our hearts overflowing with love and gratitude, we shift our focus to someone in our lives who effortlessly inspires love. We extend our well wishes to them, hoping for their well-being, happiness, and ease.

As we conclude this meditative journey, we carry the warmth of loving-kindness and compassion with us, ready to face the world with open hearts and open minds.

Tune in to this episode and embrace the transformative power of connecting with your own goodness.

Find more from Jessica Morey here:
jessicamorey.org

www.mindful.org/author/jessica-morey/

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

Join clinical psychologist Diana Hill as she takes us on a journey to uncover the profound meaning that can arise from our greatest pains.

Drawing from her extensive experience straddling the realms of pain and meaning, Diana guides us through a thought-provoking experiment. Through a series of activities, we explore the discomfort we feel and the significance these activities hold in our lives. From saying no when overwhelmed to engaging with opposing political views, Diana skillfully highlights the inherent connection between pain and meaning.

Discover how a meaningful life is not devoid of pain but rather intertwined with it. Engaging in purposeful activities often brings discomfort, yet this discomfort can serve as a source of pleasure and growth. Diana shares insights from experts, revealing how contrast, self-reflection breaks, and the signaling of strength contribute to finding pleasure in pain.

Learn how pain plays a vital role in our brain's dopamine balance and why skillfully choosing pain in service of what matters to us can lead to a more fulfilling life. Diana introduces six strategies to expand our flexibility in the face of discomfort, such as embracing the power of choice, turning up the meaning dial, and staying present in the moment. She guides us to physicalize our discomfort, expand our perspective, and transcend our self-centered mindset to cultivate compassion and interconnection.

Don't miss this captivating episode that will challenge your understanding of pain, meaning, and the transformative possibilities that arise when we wholeheartedly embrace our full range of experiences. 

Show notes

Find more from Diana Hill, PhD here:

Drdianahill.com

http://yourlifeinprocess.com/

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

Join us this week as Rose Felix Cratsley shares powerful affirmations that nurture self-compassion, encourage personal growth, and bring about healing through hope. With a firm belief in the importance of mindfulness as a fundamental human right, Rose reminds us that we enter this world with openness and curiosity, yet often find ourselves burdened by self-judgment, criticism, fear, and anxiety.

Rose is the visionary founder and president of Ivy Child International, a remarkable non-profit organization dedicated to creating global mental health initiatives for children, families, and communities. Through their impactful work, Ivy Child International strives to improve the well-being of individuals worldwide.

Tune in to discover affirmations that will empower you to embrace self-compassion, foster growth, and find solace in the transformative power of hope. Rose's wisdom and experience will guide you on a journey of healing, as you navigate the challenges of life with renewed strength and resilience.

Show notes:

Find more from Rose Felix Cratsley here:

Ivy Child International

https://www.mindful.org/author/rosefelixcratsley/

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

Join expert Cara Bradley for a transformative mindful movement practice, synchronizing mind and body through breath and spinal movement. This practice integrates mindfulness into movement, unlocking the power of the mind-body connection. Experience increased calmness, clarity, relaxation, and alertness.

Cara Bradley, renowned in mindful movement, guides you through spinal alignment with breath, followed by seated observation. Explore subtle sensations and body boundaries in the first half. In the second half, sit and notice thoughts, emotions, and sensations without judgment.

Cara Bradley's practice offers a holistic approach, enhancing physical alignment, flexibility, body awareness, and mental resilience. Embark on this journey, guided by Cara Bradley, and embrace the profound benefits of mindful movement in just one session. Harmonize mind and body, transforming your well-being.

Show notes:

Find more from Cara Bradley here:

https://www.carabradley.net/

https://www.mindful.org/author/cara-bradley/

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

As this week's meditation teacher Mark Coleman says, "We know being in nature is good for us, but how do we put this into practice in a way that will really serve and nurture us?" This is a question we address in our course, Nature Meditations. And with Spring blossoming around us, it seems like the right time to get outside and appreciate what the natural world offers.

Show Notes:

Find more from Mark Coleman here:

markcoleman.org 

Awake in the Wild: Mindfulness in Nature as a Path of Self-Discovery

Make Peace With Your Mind

From Suffering to Peace

And more from Mindful here:

Nature Meditations course

More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation

The Real Mindful Podcast

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

Delicious means enjoyable, delightful, and pleasant—and we can bring that perspective into the kitchen as we cook. This week, mindful eating expert Lynn Rossy offers four ways to savor the dance of cooking. Lynn says Delicious is the term used to describe the type of food she hopes to eat, but also the way in which she moves. 

For this practice, find a quiet spot to listen and visualize with Lynn's guidance, or, bring this podcast with you into the kitchen when you go to cook your next meal. When Lynn's instructions end, you can continue to meditate, journal, or cook, reflecting on Lynn's offering, until you hear the sound of the final bell.

Show notes

Find more from Lynn Rossy here: 

lynnrossy.com

mindful.org/author/lynn-rossy

And more from Mindful here:

The April 2023 issue of Mindful magazine: The Joyful Movement Issue

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

This week we're offering something a little different. Elaine Smookler guides a laughter yoga practice. The amazing thing about laughter is you don't even have to really have something funny to laugh at. We can actually induce laughter as an experience and the body will still release the same endorphins. This gentle movement exercise is Elaine's foolproof way to induce laughter. It is based on the Hawaiian word "Aloha," a nice vowel-y word that opens the mouth and throat just by saying it. You can practice alongside Elaine, then, when the laughter yoga ends, find a comfortable position where you can continue to meditate or journal, reflecting on Elaine's offering, until you hear the sound of the final bell.

Show notes

Find more from Elaine Smookler here:

Elainesmookler.com

mindful.org/author/elaine-smookler

And more from Mindful here:

The April 2023 issue of Mindful magazine: The Joyful Movement Issue

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

This week, Patricia Rockman offers a practice to explore your habitual reactions. This meditation is about working with habits. In particular, our habitual reactions to difficult situations that commonly arise. These could be anger at being stuck in traffic, sadness at not getting what we want, or frustration when dealing with companies that keep us on hold for what feels like eternity. Whatever it may be, mindfulness practices can help us deal with our habitual reactivity in more skillful ways.

Show notes

Find more from Patricia Rockman here: 

patriciarockman.com

mindful.org/author/patricia-rockman

And more from Mindful here:

The April 2023 issue of Mindful magazine: The Joyful Movement Issue

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

Wisdom arises out of our mind's capacity to be aware—which is not the same as thinking. Meditation teacher Kimberly Brown says, wisdom is a moment-to-moment awareness of what's arising internally and externally. So, this week, Brown offers a practice to train our awareness. It begins with developing concentration, which allows us to let go of our thoughts and our plans and be in this moment.

Show Notes

Find more from Kimberly Brown here: 

meditationwithheart.com

mindful.org/author/kimberlybrown

And more from Mindful here:

The April 2023 issue of Mindful magazine: The Joyful Movement Issue

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

Walking meditation can be a formal practice, like watching the breath, or it can be informal, simply bringing awareness to this everyday activity whenever we need to travel from point A to point B. It's an opportunity to gather our awareness which so often becomes distracted or even stuck when the mind is left to its own devices. Whether moving between floors of a building, on a city street, or in the woods, Mark Bertin offers this opportunity to guide ourselves out of the distracted autopilot we live in throughout so much of our day. So take a break and boost your mood with this simple walking meditation. 

Show Notes

Find more from Mark Bertin here: 

developmentaldoctor.com

Mark on mindful.org

And more from Mindful here:

Mindful.org

The April 2023 issue of Mindful magazine: The Joyful Movement Issue

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

Recent studies have confirmed that the constant presence and use of tech in our lives have become a hazard to our well-being on multiple levels. 

Meditation teacher, mindful tech designer, and self-identified tech lover Jay Vidyarthi observes, "It's okay to enjoy technology. Tech becomes a problem when we get so attached to it that our lives fall out of balance—and this happens because a certain device or app or game or even your work email might satisfy a specific, lacking, healthy emotional need."

So how do we mindfully hold that tension and seek balance in our relationship to technology? 

In today's meditation, Jay leads us through a contemplative practice that can help us dig down and understand our motivations for using tech, while also identifying ways to be more intentional about the why, how, and when of our digital consumption. 

If you'd like the transcription of this guided meditation, it will be online on Mindful.org next week. 

Curious about the many benefits of being a member? Learn about our  subscription tiers and join Mindful here.

Stay curious, stay inspired. Join our community by signing up for our free newsletter, where we share compelling insights and actionable ideas to enrich your everyday life. Connect with us at mindful.org/signup.

Show Notes

Find more from Jay Vidyarthi here.

If you live in North America and are interested in creating a healthier relationship to all the screens in your life, you can enter to win a free copy of Jay's new book, Reclaim Your Mind: Seven Strategies to Enjoy Tech Mindfully, which offers a compassionate, research-informed path to a more intentional digital life. The contest runs through May 17th, and it's easy and free to enter. Just click here.   

And more from Mindful here:

More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

The opposite of feeling checked out or distracted—the unfortunate reality for many—is the experience of flow state, bringing your skills and focus together to meet whatever challenge you face. This week, Nate Klemp offers a practice to rest in the flow of effortlessness. Here's how you can train your mind to cultivate the ease and joy of being "in the zone."

You'll find this practice as a web extra in the April issue of Mindful. You can find the April issue of the magazine now on newsstands or you can check it out on mindful.org 

Show Notes

Find more from Nate Klemp here: 

Nateklemp.com

Nate on mindful.org

And more from Mindful here:

Flow State: How to Get in the Zone

The April 2023 issue of Mindful magazine: The Joyful Movement Issue

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

Movement is a valuable ally in bringing more calm, focus, and clarity to our state of mind. So, this week, Dianne Bondy offers a soothing yoga flow to help you choose yourself. Gentle movement helps us tune in to the daily routines that we might otherwise go through on autopilot.

Savor this gentle practice as part of your time to simply be present with yourself or  invite a loved one to join you and unwind together.

You'll find this practice as a web extra to our guide to mindful movement, in the April issue of Mindful. You can find the April issue of the magazine now on newsstands or you can check it out on mindful.org 

Show Notes

Find more from Diane Bondy here: 

diannebondyyoga.com

And more from Mindful here:

7 Mindful Movement Practices for Daily Life

The April 2023 issue of Mindful magazine: The Joyful Movement Issue

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

When we lengthen the exhale, we're better able to find our power and invite a sense of relaxation to high intensity movement. Longer exhales cause the vagus nerve to send a signal to your brain, activating the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest) and easing the sympathetic nervous system (fight, flight, or freeze).

You'll find this practice as a web extra to our Guide to Mindful Movement, in the April issue of Mindful magazine—now on newsstands and mindful.org.

Show Notes

More from Georgina Miranda: 

Georginamiranda.com

Georgina Miranda, Author at Mindful

And more from Mindful here:

7 Mindful Movement Practices for Daily Life

The April 2023 issue of Mindful magazine: The Joyful Movement Issue

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

Even when we're sitting still, we can sense the movement of nature around us, full of moment-to-moment reminders of the continuous state of growth and life surrounding us. This week, Jeanne Corrigal offers a practice to rest in the movement of nature. You can do this meditation outdoors, or anywhere.

You'll find this practice as a web extra to our Guide to Mindful Movement, in the April issue of Mindful magazine—now on newsstands and mindful.org.

Show Notes

Find more from Jeanne Corrigal here: 

jeannecorrigal.com

Jeanne Corrigal, Author at Mindful

And more from Mindful here:

7 Mindful Movement Practices for Daily Life

The April 2023 issue of Mindful magazine: The Joyful Movement Issue

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

There are countless ways we can shift our world for the better—whether it's volunteering weekly in our communities, engaging someone in a compassionate conversation, joining an activist group, or creating art that envisions what positive change might look like and energizes us to get there. But that's not the whole story. We need to care for ourselves, too: Healing and replenishing ourselves is part of the healing we wish for others. 

In this seated yoga practice, we cultivate the tools to nurture, strengthen, and give courage to our fearless hearts.

Show Notes

Find more from Boo Boafo here: @holisticlifestyler

And more from Mindful here:

7 Mindful Movement Practices for Daily Life

The April 2023 issue of Mindful magazine: The Joyful Movement Issue

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

It is easy to feel overwhelmed and confused about how to engage with the world from a place of strength, groundedness, and calm. So, this week, we're sharing an awareness practice to foster three key insights: clarity of intention; understanding of our power, presence, and impact; and opportunities for wise action-taking. We don't have to know all the answers. We are simply inviting in reflection and introspection to allow insights and awareness of body and mind to arise. Whatever arises, see if you can meet it with self-compassion and curiosity.

This practice was featured in the February 2023 issue of Mindful as part of an at-home meditation retreat designed for you to take your individual practice into your relationships and your community. You can find the new issue of Mindful on newsstands or on mindful.org.

Show Notes

Find more from Michelle Maldonado here:

lucenscia.com

A Bridge to Better

More from Michelle on mindful.org

And more from Mindful here:

Try This Self-Guided Meditation Retreat for Rest and Restoration

The February 2023 issue of Mindful magazine: The Healing Burnout Issue

Mindful at Work

More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation

The Real Mindful Podcast

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

We tend to focus all our love on the people we care about—yet, to connect more deeply with others, we must turn toward the one person we keep on the shortest leash: ourselves. We often reject other people's care or attention when we believe we don't deserve it. This practice reminds us that there's nothing special we must do to deserve love. You are worthy of love simply because you exist.

Show Notes: 

More from Sharon Salzberg here:

sharonsalzberg.com

More from Sharon on mindful.org

And more from Mindful here:

Try This Self-Guided Meditation Retreat for Rest and Restoration

The February 2023 issue of Mindful magazine: The Healing Burnout Issue

Mindful at Work

More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation

The Real Mindful Podcast

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

The simple act of questioning the thoughts that shape our reality (especially when they create stress, anger, or frustration) opens the door to living a life with more compassion, ease, and openness to new possibilities. This week, Nate Klemp and Eric Langshur offer a practice (recorded by Mindful editor-in-chief Heather Hurlock) to inquire into our thoughts and unwind from stress.

This practice is featured in the February 2023 issue of Mindful as part of an at-home meditation retreat. The mini-retreat is curated for relief and restoration when you're teetering on the edge of burnout and designed for you to take your individual practice into your relationships and your community.

Show Notes

Find more from Nate Klemp and Eric Langshur here:

Nateklemp.com

Start Here: Mast the Lifelong Habit of Well-being

More from Nate on mindful.org

More from Eric on mindful.org

And more from Mindful here:

Try This Self-Guided Meditation Retreat for Rest and Restoration

The February 2023 issue of Mindful magazine: The Healing Burnout Issue

Mindful at Work

More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation

The Real Mindful Podcast

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

While many of us take stock at the end of a year, and use the fresh page of January to set goals, or make plans, that sense of letting go of what we're caught up in and the habits we've been living through can be an integral part of our everyday mindfulness practice. Each time we sit for a few minutes, there's an opportunity to let go of wherever our minds, attention, and awareness have gotten caught up in, come back, and realign ourselves with our best intentions and efforts. 

As you approach this practise, ask yourself what you'd like to bring to it today. And remember that at any moment, you can realign yourself with your best intentions, recognizing that you may lose touch again and then come back when you do.

Show Notes

Find more from Mark Bertin here:

Mark Bertin, Author at Mindful

developmentaldoctor.com

And more from Mindful here:

The February 2023 issue of Mindful magazine: The Healing Burnout Issue

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org

For the month of December we're rounding up our most popular meditations from this year. This week, Rose Felix Cratsley offers affirmations for self-compassion, embracing growth, and healing through hope. She says, "I think mindfulness is an essential and fundamental human right. We come into the world open and curious, but oftentimes self-judgment, criticism, fear, and anxiety come about." 

Show Notes

Find more from Rose Felix Cratsley here:

Ivy Child International

Rose Felix Cratsley. Author at Mindful

And more from Mindful here:

The Top 10 Guided Meditations of 2022

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org

If you've faced challenging or polarizing conversations lately, you likely know how difficult it can be to connect and cooperate with the person on the other side of that interaction. 

In today's guided practice, Dr. Shalini Bahl invites us to explore our innate interconnectedness by recognizing our needs and those of others, so that we can be empowered to work together in new and creative ways that benefit all involved. 

This meditation is part of our Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement series, where we're sharing guided practices from the women featured in our 2025 special edition of Mindful magazine.  

If you'd like the transcription of this guided meditation, it will be online on Mindful.org next week. 

Curious about the many benefits of being a member? Learn about our  subscription tiers and join Mindful here.

Stay curious, stay inspired. Join our community by signing up for our free newsletter, where we share compelling insights and actionable ideas to enrich your everyday life. Connect with us at mindful.org/signup.

Show Notes

Find more from Dr. Bahl here.

You can learn more about Shalini's story and how she leads through bringing mindfulness to organizations, marketing, and business on Mindful.org, where we interviewed her for our 2025 Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement feature.

And more from Mindful here:

More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

For the month of December we're rounding up our most popular meditations from this year. This week, Elaine Smookler offers a practice to help savor the moment by tapping into your senses. 

One morning in early October, Elaine Smookler glanced at her cell phone and noticed the weather app ominously predicting many days of snow and icy temperatures ahead. Life's challenges were seemingly everywhere. And Elaine was smiling. Cheerful. Grateful. Difficulties were still present, but awareness of her gratitude shifted her view, letting her see that everything was not dark and cold—in fact, many sights and sounds were quite lovely. Cultivate gratitude for life's small delights as you're guided through the senses by Elaine. 

Show Notes

Find more from Elaine Smookler here:

elainesmookler.com 

Read Elaine's latest Inner Wisdom column in Mindful magazine

More from Elaine on mindful.org

And more from Mindful here:

The Top 10 Guided Meditations of 2022

The February 2023 issue of Mindful magazine: The Healing Burnout Issue

The Gratitude Journal by Mindful

More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation

The Real Mindful Podcast

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

Sometimes we need to drop into our body to discern what we need in this moment. In this episode of 12 Minute Meditation, author and mindfulness teacher Dr. Christopher Willard offers four prompts to help us self-regulate by attending to what our difficult emotions or physical sensations may be telling us, using the acronym H.A.L.T. H is for asking ourselves: Am I hungry right now? A means checking in to see: Am I angry or anxious, or otherwise dysregulated and activated? L stands for lonely: Am I feeling lonely in this moment? And T stands for: Am I tired?

Show Notes:

Find more from Chris Willard here:

drchristopherwillard.com

Chris on mindful.org

And more from Mindful here:

The Top 10 Guided Meditations of 2022

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

When love feels scarce, we are conditioned to slip into survival mode. We cling to our beliefs about who we are in order to feel safe, to compensate for the belief that we are lacking. But seeing these conditioned habits for what they are can help create pathways for returning, for remembrance, for releasing into our inherent belonging. This mindful journaling practice guides you in bringing any judgments or unmet needs into your conscious awareness, where they can be healed.

Show Notes:

Find more from Caverly Morgan here:

caverlymorgan.org

Caverly Morgan, Author at Mindful

And more from Mindful here:

More episode of 12 Minute Meditation

The Real Mindful Podcast

Win a free copy of The Heart of Who We Are by Caverly Morgan

If you're celebrating Thanksgiving this week, we're sending you warm wishes for a safe and happy holiday. And, in the spirit of season, this week, Steve Hickman offers a gratitude practice for small things.

You'll find this practice featured in our Gratitude Journal, which is a beautiful, lovingly designed collection of essays, articles, and practices, rooted in neuroscience, and featuring writing prompts by Jane Anne Staw, and lots of space for you to draw, write, and reflect on your own relationship with and practice of gratitude.

Show Notes

Find more from Steve Hickman here:

drstevenhickman.com

More from Steven on mindful.org

And more from Mindful here:

The December 2022 issue of Mindful magazine: The Self-Love Issue

The Gratitude Journal by Mindful

More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation

The Real Mindful Podcast

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

Sometimes gratitude can be tough to tap into, so this week, Jessica Morey shares a meditation to help us connect with our own goodness. When we're anchored in feelings of love and gratitude, we can bring loving-kindness and compassion with us out into the world. This practice as a web extra to our guide to gratitude, in the December issue of Mindful. Our guide to gratitude features a variety of practices designed to help you tune into your five senses, shift toward qualities like joy and awe, and more.

Show Notes

Find more from Jessica Morey here:

jessicamorey.org

Jessica on mindful.org

And more from Mindful here:

The December 2022 issue of Mindful magazine: The Self-Love Issue

More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation

The Real Mindful Podcast

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

One of the biggest obstacles to gratitude is resentment, says Barry Boyce, Mindful's founding editor. From time to time, we need to undercut our own perspective and see things from the other side—maybe even from all sides. Here, Barry shares a gratitude practice to help us stop clinging to our ideas of what we want, and to work with the feelings that come up when we feel resistant to the way things are. 

Show Notes

Find more from Barry Boyce here:

"Gratitude for the Lousy Ingrate"

"The Truth About Parasocial Relationships"

More from Barry on mindful.org

And more from Mindful here:

The December 2022 issue of Mindful magazine: The Self-Love Issue

More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation

The Real Mindful Podcast

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

While moving through nature, we have the opportunity to enter a state of being, be present with all of our sensations, and awaken gratitude for the Earth that is also part of us. So, take this moment to connect with the breath as Georgina Miranda, social entrepreneur, outdoor adventurer, speaker, writer, and mindful leadership expert guides you in a meditation for gratitude in nature. This meditation is a web extra for the December 2022 issue of Mindful magazine, on newsstands now or on mindful.org.

Show Notes

Find more from Georgina Miranda here:

georginamiranda.com

"Gratitude for the Lousy Ingrate"

More from Georgina on mindful.org

And more from Mindful here:

The December 2022 issue of Mindful magazine: The Self-Love Issue

More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation

The Real Mindful Podcast

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

When we take a moment to appreciate what's happening in our bodies, with a spirit of curiosity, we honor all that our bodies do for us every day. This week, Elaine Smookler guides us in a moment to bring appreciation to our embodied experience right now. 

Show Notes

Find more from Elaine Smookler here:

Elainesmookler.com

Elaine Smookler, Author at Mindful

Mindful course: Get Started with Mindfulness Course

And more from Mindful here:

The December 2022 issue of Mindful magazine: The Self-Love Issue

The Gratitude Journal by Mindful

More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation

The Real Mindful PodcastLet us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

This week, experienced mindfulness practitioner and instructor Gina Rollo White offers a gentle way to connect with each area of your body, while nurturing a felt sense of loving-kindness and gratitude. This somatic (embodied awareness) practice is a bonus that adds on to the "Guide to Gratitude" that you'll find in the December issue of Mindful magazine. There, mindfulness experts share their best tips and guided practices to shift focus toward qualities like joy and awe, and discover new ways to let gratitude come alive. 

Show Notes

Find more from Gina Rollo White here:

Mindfuljunkie.com

Mindful course: Learn to De-Stress With Gina Rollo White

And more from Mindful here:

More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation

The Real Mindful PodcastLet us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

When we're caught in the throes of an emotion like sadness, loneliness, or anger, shifting our awareness into the body allows us to experience the ever-changing nature of these strong and often unpleasant emotions. This practice will help you get used to the feeling of paying attention to difficult emotions in the body with curiosity and without judgment.

Show Notes

Find more from Sharon Salzberg here:

sharonsalzberg.com

Sharon Salzberg on mindful.org

And more from Mindful here:

The October 2022 issue of Mindful magazine: The Peaceful Mind Issue

More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation

The Real Mindful PodcastLet us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

Forgiveness is a cornerstone practice of mindfulness, and it's also one of the most difficult. 

Extending forgiveness to others and to ourselves requires a kind of awareness and vulnerability that can feel deeply uncomfortable, especially if we are carrying heavy stories of shame, anger, or resentment connected to that experience. 

In today's guided practice, Will Schneider from Men Talking Mindfulness walks us through a forgiveness meditation filled with kindness, grace, and surrender that's designed to help us walk a little lighter in the world. 

If you'd like the transcription of this guided meditation, it will be online on Mindful.org next week. 

Curious about the many benefits of being a member? Learn about our  subscription tiers and join Mindful here.

Stay curious, stay inspired. Join our community by signing up for our free newsletter, where we share compelling insights and actionable ideas to enrich your everyday life. Connect with us at mindful.org/signup.

Show Notes

Find more from Will Schneider here.

Discover more from Men Talking Mindfulness here. 

Men Talking Mindfulness is also starting a new online meditation circle, every Sunday at 4pm ET from April 27 - June 29. It's for all adults, not just men! You can get more info and sign up here. And if you missed this one, there will be more in the future. Email will@mentalkingmindfulness.com to get on the list.

And more from Mindful here:

More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

This practice is a web extra in the October issue of Mindful magazine where we look into the science and practice of meditating—not to push away your painful emotions, but to see and recognize those emotions with kindness and curiosity. This week, Jud Brewer offers this simple exercise to help you shift your attitude toward what you're feeling. Curiosity is a helpful tool for engaging with our embodied experience, including emotions like sadness, anxiety, or any other unpleasant emotion. 

Show Notes

Find more from Judson Brewer here:

Drjud.com

Unwinding Anxiety

Jud on mindful.org

And more from Mindful here:

The October 2022 issue of Mindful magazine: The Peaceful Mind Issue

More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation

The Real Mindful Podcast

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

This practice is a web extra in the October issue of Mindful magazine where we look into the science and practice of meditating—not to push away your painful emotions, but to see and recognize those emotions with kindness and curiosity. By allowing ourselves to experience where tough emotions are present in the body, and opening up to them with love, we can cultivate a sense of peace and acceptance toward the imperfect nature of life. This meditation is guided by author and mindful self-compassion expert Kristin Neff. It's designed for dealing with really difficult emotions, so if you're feeling something very difficult right now, this may be a good meditation for you. 

Show Notes

Find more from Kristin Neff here:

Self-compassion.org

Fierce Self-Compassion

Kristin on mindful.org

And more from Mindful here:

The October 2022 issue of Mindful magazine: The Peaceful Mind Issue

More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation

The Real Mindful Podcast

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

Sometimes we need to drop into our body to discern what we need in this moment. In this episode of 12 Minute Meditation, author and mindfulness teacher Dr. Christopher Willard offers four prompts to help us self-regulate by attending to what our difficult emotions or physical sensations may be telling us, using the acronym H.A.L.T. In a nutshell, H is for asking ourselves: Am I hungry right now? A means checking in to see: Am I angry or anxious, or otherwise dysregulated and activated? L stands for lonely: Am I feeling lonely in this moment? And T stands for: Am I tired? 

Show Notes

Find more from Chris Willard here:

drchristopherwillard.com 

Chris on mindful.org

And more from Mindful here:

The October 2022 issue of Mindful magazine: The Peaceful Mind Issue

More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation

The Real Mindful Podcast

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

This week, meditation teacher and author Kimberly Brown offers a loving-kindness practice variation to help us cultivate more ease and openness within the moment-to-moment unfolding of our lives. "Everything is impermanent. It's always changing, coming together and falling apart," she says. When we can accept that not everything is up to us, and let go of trying to control what we can't change, we can find more ease. This practice is a web extra in the October issue of Mindful magazine. In the feature, veteran journalist Caren Osten Gerszberg looks into the science and practice of meditating—not to push away your painful emotions, but to see and recognize those emotions with kindness and curiosity.

Show Notes

Find more from Kimberly Brown here:

Kimberly on Mindful.org

Meditationwithheart.com

Navigating Grief and Loss

Check out the October issue of Mindful Magazine here: 

The Peaceful Mind issue: Calm Your Anxious Brain

 And more from Mindful here:

More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation

The Real Mindful PodcastLet us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

Dr. Ni-Cheng Liang leads us in a 4-7-8 breath practice to release stagnant air and find calm. Ni-Cheng is a pulmonary physician, podcast host, and mindfulness teacher. In the early days of the pandemic, she recruited eight medical colleagues from across the United States to create the Mindful Healthcare Collective, which offers free online mindfulness sessions to healthcare workers, with topics including basic breath awareness, mindful eating, and even anti-racism work.

Show Notes:

Find more of Ni-Cheng Liang here:

Ni-Cheng Liang, Author at Mindful

ncliangmd.com

Meditate with Ni-Cheng in the Mindful30: a 30-Day Meditation Challenge

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

This week, Georgina Miranda shares a guided practice to help us feel more grounded and at ease, especially during stressful or fearful moments. Georgina is a global leader in change, transformation, mindfulness, conscious leadership development and the advancement of women. She is also a highly sought after international transformation coach, public speaker, and management consultant.

Show Notes: 

Find more of Georgina Miranda here: 

Author Page, Georgina Miranda

This Woman Used Mindfulness to Climb Mt. Everest 

GEORGINA MIRANDA   

Meditate with Georgina in the Mindful30: a 30-Day Meditation Challenge

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

In order to be giving, we need to be nourished. This week, Andres Gonzalez shares a practice about learning to check in with yourself and to do so with love. Andres is cofounder of the Holistic Life Foundation. For twenty years, Andres has taught yoga to diverse populations, including Baltimore City Public School, drug treatment centers, mental crisis facilities, homeless shelters, wellness centers, colleges, private schools, and other venues throughout the nation. He is also one of this year's teachers in our Mindful30 meditation challenge. Andres will be guiding practices based on easing stress with intentional breathing. If you want to know more about Mindful30, we'll link to it in the show notes for this episode.

Show Notes:

Find more from Andres Gonzalez here:

Holistic Life Foundation

Meditate with Andres in the Mindful30: a 30-Day Meditation Challenge

Andres on mindful.org

And more from Mindful here:

The August 2022 issue of Mindful magazine: The Happiness Issue

More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation

The Real Mindful Podcast

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

Founding editor of Mindful and mindful.org Barry Boyce offers a simple practice for cultivating your attention. He says, "The simple act of paying attention is really the kindest thing you can do for yourself. When our mind is scattered it creates pain and disconnection, and that pain and disconnection gets picked up by others." But paying attention isn't as easy as deciding to do it—it does take practice! So that's what this week's meditation is all about. 

Show Notes: 

Find more from Barry Boyce here:

Barry on mindful.org

Read his latest column in Mindful magazine, "What Happens If We Drop Our Illusions?"

Mindful30: 30-Day Meditation Challenge

And more from Mindful here:

The August 2022 issue of Mindful magazine: The Happiness Issue

More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation

The Real Mindful Podcast

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

This week, we're offering something a little different. Dr. Michelle Chatman shares a practice that she's been singing since 2020, when we saw the killing of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor; when the COVID-19 pandemic began and we saw its devastating effects upon Black and brown communities; and we also saw protests and uprisings in response to racial injustice around the globe.

As an assistant professor in the Crime, Justice, and Security Studies program at The University of the District of Columbia and contemplative educator, Michelle weaves meditation, music, and introspective practices into her teaching to help facilitate student learning and growth and build community. This song helps Michelle restore.

You can close your eyes or lower your gaze while you listen to Michelle sing and then can continue to meditate, reflecting on Michelle's offering, until you hear the sound of the final bell.

Show Notes:

Find more from Dr. Michelle Chatman here: 

Healing the Harm in Schools - TEDxUStreetWomen

Black Mindfulness Summit

10 Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement: 2022

And more from Mindful here:

The August 2022 issue of Mindful magazine: The Happiness Issue

More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation

The Real Mindful Podcast

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

During times of stress and uncertainty, touching into your groundedness while remaining open can help you find calm—and inspire others to do the same. Meena Srinivasan offers a practice for staying both rooted, and open. "You can always draw upon the strength of those who've come before us," she says. "Know that you can act from a place and space of groundedness and compassion. And this is what the world needs now."

Show notes:

Find more from Meena Srinivasan here: 

meenasrinivasan.com

Transformative Educational Leadership

10 Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement: 2022

And more from Mindful here:

The August 2022 issue of Mindful magazine: The Happiness Issue

More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation

The Real Mindful Podcast

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

Being in pain makes being present extra challenging. 

On a physical level, being in the present moment while our body is in pain is often extremely unpleasant. There is a part of us, understandably, that wishes we could escape from it entirely. 

At the same time, the experience of pain itself can be overwhelming—to our senses, our thoughts, our emotions. It can feel like drowning, when what we long for is just a moment of peace to rest in. 

In today's guided meditation, longtime meditation teacher and pain expert Vidyamala Burch offers a tender practice to find a middle way—one that doesn't lean into denial or give in to overwhelm, but rather allows all that is happening to be gently met, as Vidyamala says, with "wholeness, integration, and kindliness."   

This meditation is part of our Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement series, where we're sharing guided practices from the women featured in our 2025 special edition of Mindful magazine. 

If you'd like the transcription of this guided meditation, it will be online on Mindful.org next week. 

Curious about the many benefits of being a member? Learn about our  subscription tiers and join Mindful here.

Stay curious, stay inspired. Join our community by signing up for our free newsletter, where we share compelling insights and actionable ideas to enrich your everyday life. Connect with us at mindful.org/signup.

Show Notes

Find more from Vidyamala Burch here.

You can learn more about Vidyamala's story and how she came to be a leader in the mindfulness movement on Mindful.org, where we interviewed her for our 2025 Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement feature.

And more from Mindful here:

More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

"Resilience can be thought of as our capacity to know when we are not in a state of equilibrium and to be in the practice of gently inviting ourselves to open up and reveal whatever it is we need to be nourished and to be held." Dr. Sará King says. And this can help us to reestablish a feeling of safety, connectedness, and grounding. This week, Dr. King invites us to connect with the love and healing we'd like to send to future generations to cultivate intergenerational resilience. 

Show Notes:

Find more from Sará King here:

Where Science, Mindfulness, and Social Justice Intersect

10 Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement: 2022

Sará King on mindful.org

And more from Mindful here:

The August 2022 issue of Mindful magazine: The Happiness Issue

More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation

The Real Mindful Podcast

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

This week, Rose Felix Cratsley offers affirmations for self-compassion, embracing growth, and healing through hope. She says, "I think mindfulness is an essential and fundamental human right. We come into the world open and curious, but oftentimes self-judgment, criticism, fear, and anxiety come about." Rose is founder and president of Ivy Child International, a non-profit that develops global mental health initiatives for children, families, and communities. 

Show Notes:

Find more from Rose Felix Cratsley here:

Ivy Child International

10 Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement: 2022

Rose on mindful.org

And more from Mindful here:

The August 2022 issue of Mindful magazine: The Happiness Issue

More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation

The Real Mindful Podcast

Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

This engaging meditation uses the energy and imagery of stones to foster inner connection and emotional regulation. Follow the guided practice and join your child on a mindful adventure.