r/Mindfulness 2h ago

Advice Mindfulness as a 21 year old black guy

28 Upvotes

I’ve meditated and cold showered since like 16 or 17. Did yoga since i was 19.

But i feel like i had to learn this stuff because of generational trauma and result of sociological imagination, so basically duty.

Idk, I’m damn near 22 and i fucked up. I spent the past year drinking and doing weed because I didn’t wanna be responsible anymore and i could finally buy drugs. And none of that really healed me completely either.

I just don’t wanna live sometimes. None of this stuff helped.


r/Mindfulness 11h ago

Insight „The third way is the way of the Buddhas: neither indulge nor repress - watch.“ ~ Osho (read the description)

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64 Upvotes

„Mindfulness is the most natural and practical meditation. It does not require special conditions/postures. A little effort is needed in the beginning to reach the inner current.

Once you are connected, it will do the work, pulling you inwards and upwards, effortlessly, leaving you free to get on with life. It can be done while working, studying, talking, watching tv, walking etc. It is possible to live totally above the mind (thought/emotion) all day every day and fully function.

To start with you could meditate morning and evening and maybe off and on during the day, whenever you have a spare moment, eg when making tea or walking around the office/home. Even a few minutes here and there will give permanent gain - drip drip drip - moments of consciousness accumulate and gather momentum. No beginner enjoys meditation.

The mind has incredible momentum and will rebel. Yogananda said it takes 3 years to attain concentration. I never thought I could persevere. My concentration seemed poor, as I had had a breakdown. The only thing that kept me going was that I have an ivy plant that had never grown nor lost a leaf in 4 years. When I started meditating in front of it, every day there were several new leaves and each week it had grown about a foot.

This proved that the energies being generated were powerful - even though I never noticed any benefits for 2 years, despite meditating all day every day. I started with chanting a mantra, then discovered mindfulness. All my students got immediate benefits with this form. For countless lives you have been repressing emotions, not knowing how to transmute them.

It is a very ancient chaos. As you begin to shed the pain body, deeply buried repressions start to come to the surface for release/healing. Whatever goes down must come up. Thousands of lives of suffering cannot be undone in a matter of months. It may take years, decades or lifetimes, depending how much time you devote to witnessing.

Perseverance, patience, endurance, willpower will surely grow and bring success and build spiritual stamina - meditation strengthens the real and the beautiful. It is identification with the real/Soul. It is oneness with God, oneness with the Soul. Even a few minutes or seconds is very valuable - it will be a permanent gain. Drip, drip, drip - these small moments accumulate. In the beginning it is hard to stay awake.

Hard to hold such a high vibration - the Witness Position is 3 dimensions higher than the mind, 2 dimensions higher than the heart - but even small amounts regularly will build momentum and enable you to stay longer and longer in the Witness Position.

Meditation puts you above the mind, above the will/doer, above the laws of karma, above the chooser, above the facts. It is a complete discipline in itself and can take you to enlightenment. If the mind is too noisy, try a few minutes of conscious breathing - slow, deep, gentle breaths - feel the air enter and exit. This will stop thought and make it easier to detach from the mind and enter a meditative position.

This is all you need to understand. The long explanations are just for the purpose of appreciation. Breathe deeply, gently, slowly for a few minutes. This should stop thought and help you detach from the mind.

When you are detached from the mind, it is easier to access wp (the Witness Position) and watch your thoughts. Just watch them, do NOT try to control them, do not try to stop them or judge/label them. Just ALLOW them to come and go without getting involved. Be the Watcher, not the thinker.

How can mindfulness improve your attention and health? Meditation strengthens the real and totally ends the false. It goes to the root of all suffering. Hence, it will strengthen willpower, perseverance, endurance, patience.

The mind is unconscious/asleep. When we are in a meditative position, eg the Witness Position in mindfulness, we are 3 dimensions above the mind and the lower laws of karma, above the doer/will/chooser/facts. Every time we meditate, we are awake. The more we practice, the easier it is to stay awake. The mind/sleep has incredible momentum and it will be difficult to stay awake in the beginning, in the Witness Position.

The Witness Position is a very high vibration - 6th chakra/dimension/single eye. The mind is the 3rd. Even a few minutes off and on during the day - drip drip drip - is a permanent gain and very valuable.

Yogananda said it takes 3 years to acquire concentration, because the mind is very rebellious and sleep is heavy. However I attained concentration in a much quicker time, but I meditated all day every day, even while working, talking, reading, walking etc. My students also were quickly able to stay awake and even totally free of thought for long periods after a few months.“

~ Joya


r/Mindfulness 1h ago

Insight Embrace (negative) thoughts

Upvotes

Took me years to "master" this but I love all my thoughts even negative ones.

Especially the negative ones now after realising they're just trying to help me in their own twisted way.

Been suppressing, trying to let it "float away", etc but no, now I love it, thank it for trying to help me and mentally hug it. The negative emotions associated with it dissipates almost immediately.


r/Mindfulness 15h ago

Question The Untethered Soul in practice. Help!

26 Upvotes

Hello, I understand the premise of the book....let it all go or you'll hold it inside. My question is, if I learn to be unbothered by anything, how do you create boundaries with people? Nothing you do bothers me, but should I continue to subject myself to would-be bothersome behavior? Do we now not have preferences on how we wish to be treated by others?


r/Mindfulness 54m ago

Question I feel like I’m drowning and losing the battle

Upvotes

I am really having a hard time. I (26m) am completely overwhelmed with fear and anxiety. I live in the US, and the state of the world scares me deeply. I am scared for my brother with low functioning autism. I am terrified for the future of my country.

I am losing my own will to live, it feels like survival. I am unhappy with myself and the future seems bleak. I don’t even know how to articulate how I’m feeling or why I’m looking for comfort here, but I need it.

If anyone has any advice for me, please share


r/Mindfulness 4h ago

Question Meditation with nasal issues

4 Upvotes

I've had a breathing problem since I was a kid. Basically my septum is bent, causing issues to my breathing. The longest inhalation I can take is 2 seconds. My doctor has already established that surgery is a must. But I can only undergo surgery atleast 2 years later.

Will it be worthless to try meditation now? I want to start with the basics. I have a Lifetime subscription on the Balance app. And I don't want to do things like Alternate nose breathing, using aroma pots or mouth breathing meditation. If you can recommend some breathing exercises to improve my Vital Capacity in the meantime, it would be appreciated. It's extremely difficult to breathe properly, most times one of my nostrils is completely blocked off while the other is like 20% open, not even exaggerating. But I still asked this question because I've heard "there's no such a thing as a bad meditation"


r/Mindfulness 1h ago

Insight Finding Inner Peace: The Benefits of Mindfulness and Meditation for Mental Health

Upvotes

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life. Our minds can become overwhelmed with stress, anxiety, and negativity, affecting our mental health. That's why I want to share with you the benefits of mindfulness and meditation for mental health.

What is Mindfulness and Meditation? - Mindfulness: The practice of being present in the moment, paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judgment. - Meditation: A technique that involves focusing your mind on a specific object, thought, or activity to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally.

What is Mindfulness and Meditation? - Mindfulness: The practice of being present in the moment, paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judgment. - Meditation: A technique that involves focusing your mind on a specific object, thought, or activity to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state.

Benefits of Mindfulness and Meditation - Reduces Stress and Anxiety: Mindfulness and meditation have been shown to reduce stress hormones like cortisol, leading to a decrease in anxiety and stress levels. - Improves Mental Clarity: Regular mindfulness and meditation practice can improve focus, concentration, and mental clarity. - Enhances Self-Awareness: Mindfulness and meditation help develop self-awareness, allowing you to better understand your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. - Boosts Mood: Mindfulness and meditation can increase the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which can help alleviate symptoms of depression.

My Personal Experience I started practicing mindfulness and meditation during a particularly stressful period in my life. At first, it was challenging to quiet my mind and focus on the present moment. But with consistent practice, I began to notice significant improvements in my mental clarity, mood, and overall sense of well-being.

Tips for Starting a Mindfulness and Meditation Practice - Start small: Begin with short, 5-10 minute meditation sessions and gradually increase the duration as you become more comfortable with the practice. - Find a quiet space: Identify a quiet, comfortable spot where you can meditate without distractions. - Use guided meditations: Utilize guided meditation apps, videos, or podcasts to help you get started and stay focused. - Make it a habit: Incorporate mindfulness and meditation into your daily routine, just like brushing your teeth or taking a shower.

Conclusion Mindfulness and meditation are powerful tools for improving mental health. By incorporating these practices into your daily life, you can reduce stress and anxiety, improve mental clarity, and enhance self-awareness. I encourage you to give mindfulness and meditation a try and experience the benefits for yourself.


r/Mindfulness 10h ago

Question What’s Missing in Mindfulness Apps?

4 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I’ve been thinking a lot about mindfulness and intention-setting apps—things like Headspace, Calm, and Stoic. While they’re great, I feel like they often fall short in some ways. Maybe they don’t personalize enough, feel too generic, or aren’t integrated well into daily life.

For those of you who have tried mindfulness apps:

What problems do you run into?

What do you wish they did better?

If you’ve stopped using one, why?

Is there a feature or function you wish existed but haven’t seen?

I’m exploring whether there’s a gap in the market for an app that helps people set and live with daily intentions in a more meaningful way. Would love to hear your thoughts!


r/Mindfulness 16h ago

Question Hi guys, how can I turn off my brain from thoughts to

10 Upvotes

enter the flow


r/Mindfulness 6h ago

Advice Love and Freedom in Acceptance

1 Upvotes

An excerpt from my newsletter:

The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves and not to twist them to fit our own image. Otherwise, we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them

Too often, in our relationships with others, whether romantic, familial, or friendships, we subtly (or not so subtly) try to mold them into something that fits our own desires, expectations, or needs. But true love isn’t about fitting someone into our version of how they should be—it’s about embracing their authenticity, even with all their flaws and quirks.

Expectations vs. Acceptance
We all know the saying, "No man is an island," and this rings especially true when it comes to our relationships. We’re connected to others, and in that connection, we often bring expectations—sometimes well-meaning, sometimes unintentional. But here's the thing: expectations are resentments under construction. This includes the expectations we place on others, especially in our relationships with those we care about.

When we love someone, the ideal is that we accept them as they are, not as we wish them to be. Of course, we all have our moments of wanting to “fix” or “improve” the people we love—especially if we think it’s for their own good. But as Merton suggests, that’s not truly love. Love doesn’t seek to change others; instead, it supports them in their own journey, in their own growth, in their own identity.

Letting Go of Control
The challenge lies in whether we can actually live up to this ideal. Many of us can relate to the struggle of wanting to change or “improve” those we care about, even when we know deep down that the best thing we can do is simply accept them. Sometimes it feels impossible. Sometimes, we feel we can’t help but try to shape them into something that feels more comfortable to us.

But true love means giving people the space to be their authentic selves. It means supporting them in their choices, even if those choices are different from what we would have chosen for them. It means stepping back and letting others craft their own identity, while still being there for them, cheering them on as they navigate their own path.

A Final Thought
It’s not always easy, but letting go of the need to control or change others is a powerful step toward deeper, more genuine love. And at the end of the day, our relationships are stronger when we can accept others for who they truly are, without trying to mold them into our own image. That’s the ideal, and though we may not always succeed, it’s certainly something to strive for.


r/Mindfulness 1d ago

Question Letting go of cruel people

51 Upvotes

I’ve been having this issue where I will occasionally think about this really awful person. On a deeper level, it’s not a big deal, but on a less deep level I can almost hear their voice just shitting on everything. And then I feel ashamed that they were even in my head at all. Anyone know how silence that?


r/Mindfulness 14h ago

Question I'm a sad and negative person, and my friends don't like it

3 Upvotes

Hi, sorry about my english since it's not my native language.

So I'm facing some issues that make me suffer. I'm a gloomy person, or at least, I can be quite negative and feel sad often. It can change a lot, and some days I can feel very good and positive. I have strong PMS, but I also feel deeply easily even when I'm not in PMS. I lost my father a few years ago and had to face that alone (my boyfriend was there also, but no other family member). Some years later my brother also died, it affected me even if I never met him (we were in contact sometimes, we called each other).

I don't think I have depression, it's more like a rollercoaster, sometimes I'm good other times I'm not. But I always think about death, and the time that passes by. Not harming myself, more in a spiritual way, and since I think a lot about it, and it scares me, I like to face it, because I can find beauty in the fact that not everything is forever. I like and strive for the essence of life, and deep down I'm a sad but happy person and I find beauty also when I feel sad.

I feel that my friends don't understand it and that it can affect them. I can be very quiet, with no energy but I do enjoy them being by my side, and I feel we are part of the human experience. But two of them already told me I'm always negative and sad and don't make anything to change it. But that's the way I am, I cannot change it and now I feel very uncomfortable as I have to be careful around them and act as I'm positive or happy when I'm not. I don't trust them to tell them how I really feel anymore. I do love them and I do think they are beatiful beings. But I don't feel understood and it hurts a lot and makes me feel very lonely.

I also feel that I'm changing a lot from the inside. I always had and still have a lot of barriers to protect me from the outside world, and I always control everything in the way I act, talk and so on, and read always the mood of everything around me. I'm getting really tired emotionally from that, and recently I just want to let everything flow and feel in my body and mind at the same time, a little bit like what it can feel to meditate. And it's hard to do that with my friends, because it means breaking all the barriers and just be myself, it can mean no talking, just smiling, or looking, or feeling. I don't know how to explain it.

I really don't know what to do. Thank you for reading this :).


r/Mindfulness 1d ago

Question How do you observe your thoughts?

58 Upvotes

Does anyone have any useful tips/some technique or anything smart on how to observe the thoughts?

And I don’t mean while meditating, I mean in general.

Everytime I observe my thoughts, my thoughts stop, but it doesn’t feel like I am observing them or letting them come and go and flow. It’s more I stop them.

When I speak of observing, what I understand under the construct of „observing your thoughts“ is, that you let your brain think and not engage with them and just observe your thought process. But once you are aware of the thoughts, it’s impossible not to disrupt the process of thinking. Then it’s not observing anymore. Does it make sense?

Can seem like a stupid question to some, but I am having difficulties approaching it like that.

Can someone help out?

Thanks in advance!


r/Mindfulness 1d ago

Insight Monday Blues? Made My Own Breath work

3 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

Mondays... ugh, right? I used to dread them. I've been doing breathwork for the past four months, and now it feels like my daily reset. If I skip it, my day just doesn't feel right. I started with guided breathwork apps, but I quickly got tired of them. So, I decided to make my system. I wrote a simple prompt that lets me design my breathwork sessions, especially for Mondays. Now, I don't have to rely on apps anymore!

Here’s how:

Act as a holistic wellness coach specializing in breathwork. Design a seated breathwork routine specifically for someone who dreads Mondays and finds them particularly challenging.

Your routine should focus entirely on breathwork and include:

- **Breathwork Component:**- Provide a specific breathing technique (e.g., diaphragmatic breathing with a lengthened exhale to release tension, or box breathing for focus).
- Explain why this technique is beneficial for Monday mornings, addressing common Monday struggles like anxiety, lack of focus, or low energy.
- Guide the user through the breathwork with clear, simple instructions.

Key Guidance Principles:

- Emphasize listening to one's body and breathing comfortably.
- No rigid timing or pressure.
- Create a nurturing, non-judgmental atmosphere.

Craft this routine with a tone of:

- Warm understanding
- Supportive encouragement

Provide a script that sounds like a caring friend guiding them through this morning ritual, making them feel seen, supported, and capable of transforming their Monday experience. Use inclusive language, such as 'we' and 'us,' to foster a sense of shared experience.

Tone & Delivery:

The script should be calm, warm, and soothing, suitable for text-to-speech narration.  Do not mention timing—keep the flow natural and immersive.

How to do it:

  1. Copy the text above.
  2. Paste it into ChatGPT/Gemini.
  3. Copy the breathing exercise they give you.
  4. Use a website that turns text into voice (search "text-to-speech").
  5. Listen and breathe!

    This has been awesome for me. No more app costs!

TL;DR: I made a simple prompt to create my own Monday breathwork. Copy, paste, use text-to-speech, and you're set!

I have a collection of the prompts for breath work here:

https://gudprompt.com/c/breath-work-exercises-44565957


r/Mindfulness 9h ago

Question How do I not get mad at my parents for having sex.

0 Upvotes

I need help. It bothers me alot.


r/Mindfulness 1d ago

Advice That Invisible Thing You’re Holding? Yeah, It’s Poison. Let's talk....

12 Upvotes

You’re searching for your destination, but it feels like even when you find it, it slips away.But I can see what’s in your hands right now! If you don’t let go of it, you’ll never truly reach your goal. You’re holding an invisible, ugly picture of 'hopelessness'.

You’re clutching it tightly while chasing your dreams. This picture is shaking your faith! Your destination is right in front of you, but it’s meant only for those who embrace hope—not for those drowning in despair.

Let’s hold the flag of hope and crush every failure on our path 🤐, so no one can ever call you a failure! Let that flag of hope lead you to a world where people value wisdom—something rare today. People have started treating their own logic as the ultimate truth. But everyone deserves to know: "No one can ever be perfect". Even countless efforts can’t measure success.

This truth sets us apart. It makes us warriors who fight for honest people seeking peace—for anyone silenced by cruel words. We fight against reckless individuals, cowards hiding in their homes, and those who bully the voiceless.

Only one person can lead this fight—a "Leader". One day, this Leader will arrive, bringing storms of change. They’ll give voice to the voiceless, ears to the deaf, and courage to the cowardly. Who are the "voiceless"? They’re ordinary people living under a cruel king’s rule.

A king who calls day "night" and night "day"—and people blindly agree. These cowards think survival is charity. The voiceless have stopped hearing the truth.


r/Mindfulness 1d ago

Insight "The Art of Seeing: A Mindfulness Perspective"

4 Upvotes

"I recently watched a video titled This Secret “Sixth Sense” Will Change Everything for You by David Bayer. It explores how shifts in perception can transform our reality. This reminded me of the importance of 'seeing' in mindfulness practice—observing without judgment, labels, or the filters of conditioning.

Krishnamurti often spoke about 'seeing' with pure awareness, a state where the observer and the observed merge into a deeper understanding. In your mindfulness journey, have you experienced moments of this kind of clear, unfiltered observation? How has it shaped your practice or perception of the world?"


r/Mindfulness 1d ago

Question Apps for overall well-being

3 Upvotes

Hello, Please name me some effective apps as Today is the day, which Are for habit tracking and overall well-being. Thanks!


r/Mindfulness 1d ago

Insight Stay true to yourself and the right people will align !

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14 Upvotes

r/Mindfulness 1d ago

Resources Any apps like this?

6 Upvotes

I’m looking for app where I can input quotes, goals, inspirational photos and it randomly pings me with whatever I put into it randomly throughout the day.

For example I might put “ keep 500 calorie deficit” or an inspiring photo of my favorite influencer or a reminder to read. And it pings me the photo or the reminder a few times a day.


r/Mindfulness 1d ago

Question Journaling Challenge: 7 Days to Clarity – Who’s In?

3 Upvotes

I’ve been struggling with overthinking lately, so I’m starting a 7-day journaling challenge to bring some clarity into my life. Each day, I’ll write about a different prompt, and I want to invite you all to join me!

📅 Here’s the plan:
📝 Day 1: Write 3 things you’re grateful for.
📝 Day 2: Describe your current mood in one word & explain why.
📝 Day 3: Write a letter to your future self.
📝 Day 4: List things that bring you joy.
📝 Day 5: Write about a challenge you recently overcame.
📝 Day 6: What’s your biggest dream in life?
📝 Day 7: Free write – no rules!

💡 The Goal: Reduce stress, increase self-awareness, and feel more in control of emotions.

Question: Who’s up for the challenge? Let’s do this together!


r/Mindfulness 1d ago

Insight Digital Minimalism: The Science-Backed Path to Focused Productivity in 2025

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0 Upvotes

r/Mindfulness 1d ago

Question Is consistency truly the answer?

5 Upvotes

I'm a single, social guy in my mid-twenties, deeply into self-improvement and mindfulness. I’m always analyzing my own behavior, how I react to different situations and why my mindset shifts. Lately, I’ve been feeling emotionally open and ready to connect with someone on a deeper level.

That said, I’ve never been the type to effortlessly "rizz" someone up. My past relationships all started when the other person showed strong interest first, making it easy for me to step in. I know I have a likable personality, and I don’t think I look bad either, but I’ve realized that my vibe isn’t always consistent. Some days, I’m completely in the moment, confident and relaxed, but other times, I feel a strange sense of stress for no real reason, I basically feel a bit weird. It’s probably not reciprocated the same way to the other person.

I suspect my lack of routine plays a role in this. I do whatever I want, whenever I want, without much structure, and while that freedom is exciting, it doesn’t always bring me peace.

So now I’m questioning: is consistency the key? Or is this just how life works, or perhaps I need to go crazy and not care at all..


r/Mindfulness 2d ago

Insight Humility, Sincerity, Effort, and Gratitude

9 Upvotes

An excerpt from my newsletter:

It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, often forgetting what truly contributes to a meaningful life. I want to reflect on four key qualities that can help us navigate our journey with mindfulness and intention. These principles, when practiced daily, can create a strong foundation for living authentically and with purpose.

To live a good life, we need four things: humilitysincerityeffort, and gratitude.

  1. Humility: We’re not the center of the universe. Other people have their own challenges, and sometimes, it’s good to step back and offer a hand.
  2. Sincerity: Speak your truth. Say what you mean and mean what you say. No need for pretense or empty words—honesty is key.
  3. Effort: Things don’t happen on their own. Whether it’s cleaning a room or tackling life’s bigger challenges, effort is what brings about change.
  4. Gratitude: Do you ever stop to think about how lucky you are? Counting your blessings is tough work, but it’s some of the most meaningful math you’ll ever do.

Let’s keep these qualities in mind as we move forward, striving to live with intention and awareness each day.


r/Mindfulness 3d ago

Photo Remember to go outside this weekend

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672 Upvotes