We missed celebrating the anniversary, but the Wildmind blog has officially turned ten years old. Instead of listing the top 10 posts from the last decade—which would be unfair to our more recent work—we’re sharing the most popular articles on meditation from the past 12 months, starting with the least viewed.
Often, we think being “kind” to ourselves means avoiding difficulties, but true self-compassion is offering ourselves support, understanding, and encouragement during tough times. This approach actually helps us tackle challenges more effectively.
When we narrow our focus to a tiny area of our breathing, our mind gets bored and starts creating distractions. Paying attention to a variety of sensations keeps the mind engaged and less prone to wandering.
Our mental reactions often aim to escape or solve unpleasant situations. It might feel strange, but turning toward our suffering actually reduces it.
When our eyes relax during meditation, we can perceive the entire “scene” of our breathing. This provides a richer experience as we observe how different sensations in the body are interconnected.
Each breath holds a lifetime within it. Every moment influences the next, much like the connection between inhaling and exhaling. Awareness of each breathing moment lets us impact our present and future reality.
Try making a fist with one hand and notice your breathing. You might find yourself holding your breath. Now imagine breathing into the fist; it likely wants to release. This exercise shows how we unconsciously tense up and hold our breath in response to stress.
Our body is a living, breathing presence with its own intelligence. Just as we are aware of our body, our body is aware of us. Let yourself be perceived by your body.
Recognizing and appreciating what’s going right in our lives makes us happier. Psychologists say gratitude is key to happiness. One study found that people who wrote letters of appreciation felt noticeably happier a month later.
We can use our focus in two distinct ways: like a flashlight or a candle. The way we choose to direct our attention profoundly affects our experiences, both in meditation and in daily life.
Central to Buddhism is the teaching that everything changes. Though many philosophers and religious teachers have noted this, the Buddha delved deeply into the implications of impermanence.
These are the ten most popular articles on Wildmind from 2017. We hope you enjoy these highlights and look forward to bringing you more valuable content in 2018. Thanks for reading!