This year brought a lot of changes in my meditation practice as it has shifted from never-miss daily formal sittings, to one of more informal techniques and a constant awareness of awareness. Literally anything can be an exercise in mindfulness once you have a solid foundation, and opportunities for meditation are everywhere.
This isn’t an excuse not to practice. It is a way to incorporate your practice into every moment of your life.
Here are the 5 resources that stood out to me this year.
Sam Harris. I understand that he is not the popular with everyone, but there are very few people who can articulate the principles and practice of a mindful lifestyle better than he can. I am not sure there are many more articulate people anywhere in our popular consciousness if I am honest. Here are a few of his contributions:
His podcast, Waking Up with Sam Harris #4: The Path and the Goal – A Conversation with Joseph Goldstein, and the follow-up #15 – Questions Along the Path. The first two podcasts on his feed are useful as well – Mindfulness Meditation and Looking for the Self, respectively.
His book, Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion
Vivid Awareness: The Mind Instructions of Khenpo Gangshar. This and the next are both from the Tibetan tradition of Dzogchen, which I like very much once I strip away a lot of the more elaborate belief structures.
Flight of the Garuda. Remember, there is a lot to strip away here.
These short videos from The School of Life (everything they do is pretty great).
The Mind Illuminated. It would be difficult to find a more complete guide to meditation and mindfulness than this book, it feels like a full Masters level class in itself.
Not from this year, but my teacher’s book is always worth mentioning. This was my first real introduction to this world, and is one I still refer back to. A great first step if you want to learn more:
Soul-Centered: Transform Your Life in 8 Weeks with Meditation by Sarah McLean.
There are so, so many resources for mindfulness and meditation right now. This is good, but also means there is a lot of garbage.
Sift everything you hear and read, including anything I recommend.
Have a great day.
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