12 Minute Meditation (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

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The Real Mindful Podcast

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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.

This is a foundational awareness practice designed to help bring about three key insights: clarity of intention; understanding of our power, presence, and impact; and opportunities for wise action-taking.

Show notes: Meditation by Michelle Maldonado.

Michelle Maldonado is the author of A Bridge To Better: An Open Letter To Humanity and Resource Guide. She is also the founder and CEO of Lucenscia, a human potential and mindful business transformation firm.

Explore this 10-minute guided practice to bring attention to your body. 

This week, Melli O’Brien guides us in a practice that invites us to pause and reconnect with the simplicity of being. In the midst of life’s noise and distractions, this meditation creates space to step back and truly listen. By exploring the sensations of the body, the natural rhythm of the breath, and the sounds surrounding us, we’re reminded that peace is found in awareness, not in controlling what’s around us.

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 Melli O’Brien here:

Melli O'Brien on Mindfulness.com

Melli O'Brien's Website

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In a world that constantly pulls us in different directions—from productivity and external validation to endless distractions—coming home to ourselves is one of the most powerful things we can do. True resilience isn’t about pushing through; it’s about creating an inner refuge, a place of strength and safety that stays steady no matter what’s happening around us.

That’s why we’re bringing back Coming Home to Yourself, a meditation guided by Georgina Miranda. This meditation invites you to pause, reflect, and reconnect with your inner strength. Georgina reminds us that while mindfulness can be a refuge in difficult times, its real power comes from regular practice. This meditation is an opportunity to reset, find stability, and ground yourself in the present moment.

We’re also excited to share that Georgina has a new course with us: Reset and Let Go: The Freedom to Live Fully. This transformative journey will help you release what no longer serves you, reset your mindset, and step into a life of greater clarity and joy. Through guided exercises, journaling prompts, and mindfulness practices, you’ll learn practical tools to support real, lasting change.

Learn more and sign up here

Want a chance to WIN a free year of Mindful Premium? Simply visit: https://signups.mindful.org/win-premium/ and enter your email today.

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Show Notes

Find more from Georgina Miranda here:

Georgina Miranda on Mindful.org

Georgina Miranda's Website

And more from Mindful here:

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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.

Let go of the what ifs and let yourself sit with what is. This guided meditation opens you up to the space that’s available when you sit with your thoughts and observe them without judgment. 

Show notes: Meditation by Mark Bertin. 

Mark Bertin, MD, is a pediatrician, author, professor, and mindfulness teacher specializing in neurodevelopmental behavioral pediatrics.

In today’s interconnected yet paradoxically divided world, the path to understanding each other requires more than just good intentions. To truly connect and heal, we need something more: the cultivation of a deeper understanding. The path forward isn’t about eliminating differences—it’s about building bridges of understanding across them.

In this gentle yet powerful meditation with Shalini Bahl, we experience how we are all shaped by our experiences, fears, and hopes. Deep understanding is like diving below the illuminated surface to deeper waters.  By understanding both what floats on the surface and what lies in the depths, we can begin to shift our habitual patterns and make choices that arise from genuine wisdom rather than reactive impulses.

We’re also celebrating the revival of Mindful Magazine with a special giveaway for our podcast listeners. Mindful Premium gives you a full year of access to the print magazine, plus our complete digital library of articles, meditations, courses, and more.

Want a chance to WIN a free year of Mindful Premium? Simply visit: https://signups.mindful.org/win-premium/ and enter your email today.

This giveaway is our way of saying thank you for being part of our amazing community. We can’t wait for you to explore everything Mindful Premium has to offer!

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 Shalini Bahl here:

Shalini Bahl on Mindful.org

Know Your Mind

The Book: Return to Mindfulness

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Take a break and boost your mood with this guided walking meditation. The practice guides your mind out of autopilot and helps refocus your attention on the present moment. You can do this practice indoors or outdoors and in a formal or informal way. 

Show notes: Meditation by Mark Bertin. 

Mark Bertin, MD, is a pediatrician, author, professor, and mindfulness teacher specializing in neurodevelopmental behavioral pediatrics.

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

Show notes: Meditation by Heather Hawk Feinberg. 

Heather Hawk Feinberg is a mother, counselor, writer, music-maker, educator, and spiritual guide. In 2016 she founded Mindful Kids, a non profit organization that creates pioneering resources for social emotional awakening.

We often use the breath and sensations of the body as anchors in meditation, but listening to the sounds around us can also help ground us. In this guided meditation for focus we listen, notice, and let go of tension.

Show notes: Meditation by Susan Kaiser Greenland.

Susan Kaiser Greenland is a mindfulness teacher and author who specializes in teaching mindfulness to children and families. She's an author and founding faculty member of UCLA's Mindful Awareness Research Center's facilitator training.

This week, Shamash Alidina guides us through a practice focused on the calming power of belly breathing. In our fast-paced world, stress can easily take hold, and this meditation offers a simple yet powerful way to find relaxation and ease.

Belly breathing, or deep diaphragmatic breathing, encourages a full breath that engages the diaphragm and helps activate the body’s relaxation response. By consciously slowing your breath and focusing on the expansion and contraction of your belly, you can send signals to your nervous system that it’s safe to relax, lowering stress levels and promoting a sense of calm.

Don’t miss out on our upcoming Community Connection Meditation Series from August 26th to 30th, 2024! This live virtual event brings us together in the spirit of mindfulness, connection, and growth. Over five days, enjoy 30 minutes of daily group meditations followed by a Q&A session, all guided by renowned meditation teachers Christopher Willard, Caverly Morgan, Shamash Alidina, Sue Hutton, and Tovi C. Scruggs-Hussein. Learn more and register at https://shop.mindful.org/products/community-connection-meditation-series.

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 Shamash Alidina here:

Shamash Alidina on Mindful.org

Shamash Alidina's Website

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Ruth King offers a guided meditation practice from her heart to yours. Ruth is a teacher, author, founder of the Mindful of Race Institute, and featured in the August issue of Mindful magazine as one of the powerful women of the mindfulness movement. In this first episode of 12 Minute Meditation, she invites us to savor stillness and feel deeply into the ways our lives are interconnected. “May we remember that we belong to each other.”

This week, Jenée Johnson leads us in a guided meditation to encourage deep relaxation at any point during the day. With a reminder to listen to our bodies and acknowledge when it’s time for us to rest, she shares an effective technique known as quiet sitting to inspire us to simply be. Jenée Johnson is the program innovation leader at the San Francisco Department of Public Health, Mindfulness, Trauma and Racial Healing. Her goal is to improve her organization's ability to manage change, stay resilient, inspire growth and become a mindful culture that leads and serves with compassion.

Show notes:

Top 10 meditations of 2021: The Top 10 Guided Meditations of 2021

Find more from Jenée Johnson here: Jenée Johnson, Author at Mindful 

And find more from Mindful at mindful.org and on our conversation podcast, Real Mindful. Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

Join Shalini Bahl-Milne in this week's practice as she guides us through a practice to replenish our mental energy. By focusing on our senses, we can rest our thinking mind and fully experience the present moment. Feel the sensations in your feet, listen to the sounds around you, and embrace the scents in your environment. Open your eyes and see an object with fresh eyes, free from judgments.

This 12-Minute Meditation allows you to reconnect with yourself and cultivate a sense of presence.

Take a moment to replenish your energy and feel fully present.

Find more from Shalini Bahl-Milne here:

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

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

It’s not always the case that our formal mindfulness practice carries seamlessly into daily life—especially in conversations that spark tension. Shalini Bahl-Milne offers a practice to help you remain present for these difficult moments.

Show notes: Meditation by Shalini Bahl-Milne.

Shalini Bahl-Milne, PhD, is an award-winning researcher and Certified MBSR and Search Inside Yourself teacher. Dr. Bahl develops mindfulness skills to help disrupt harmful default habits, cope with stress, and more.

This week, Rose Felix Cratsley offers a meditation to honor equity by uplifting and celebrating the power of pausing together. In this mindfulness framework, each letter of the word BREATH serves to remind us of our responsibility to ourselves and to others to honor and promote equity. So she invites us to breathe, renew, exercise equity, activate and advocate, trust the power, and heal.

Rose Felix Cratsley is the founder and president of Ivy Child International, a nonprofit that develops global mental health initiatives for children, families, and communities. She is also featured in our annual list of powerful women in the mindfulness movement. You can find that feature in the August issue of Mindful Magazine later this month.

Show Notes:

Find more from Rose Felix Cratsley here:
Ivy Child International 

And more from Mindful here:

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The Real Mindful Podcast

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Traditional meditation practices can sometimes be frustrating and alienating for those who are neurodivergent. Bodily discomfort or intense mental restlessness can make even the most mindfulness-curious person feel like classic meditation techniques might not be for them.

Sue Hutton believes that mindfulness can be for anyone, and she’s dedicated her work to making mindfulness practices like meditation accessible for neurodiverse communities. In this practice, she guides us through what she calls “Dual Anchor,” a kind of meditation that engages the senses to help gently steer attention. 

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 Sue Hutton here.

You can learn more about Sue’s neurodiversity-informed approach to  mindfulness 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.

This week, Mark Bertin guides us in a practice to find harmony amidst the holiday hustle. Release the grip of the "comparing mind," and embrace imperfect moments. Through intentional reflection, gratitude, connection, and self-compassion,this meditation offers a serene path to a joyous holiday experience.

Show Notes

Find more from Mark Bertin here:

Mark Bertin on Mindful.org

Mark Bertin Website

And more from Mindful here:

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, join mindfulness expert Shamash Alidina in this transformative 12-minute guided meditation, "Finding Meaning with ACT in Action," exclusively on mindful.org. Drawing from his acclaimed course "ACT for Beginners," Shamash will lead you through the 6 flexibility skills of the ACT process, using the acronym ACTION:

A - Acceptance: Embrace the present moment with kindness, making space for feelings.

C - Cognitive Defusion: Unhook from unhelpful thoughts, creating mental flexibility.

T - Transcendent Self: Observe experiences without judgment, fostering a flexible sense of self.

I - In the Moment: Embrace presence by focusing on sensory experiences, cultivating mindfulness.

O - Open to Values: Recognize what truly matters, aligning actions with core values.

N - Navigating with Meaningful Action: Infuse daily activities with intention, living according to values.

Experience psychological flexibility and discover fulfillment by integrating mindfulness and values-directed living. Explore the journey of mindful living with Shamash, and join his 30-day Mindfulness Challenge for deeper insights into ACT and mindfulness.

Show Notes

Find more from Shamash Alidina here:

https://www.mindful.org/author/shamash-alidinia/

https://www.shamashalidina.com/

And more from Mindful here:

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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, Anu Gupta leads us through a detailed body scan, guiding us to shift our energy back to the present moment, coming back from any distracting thoughts and worries that come up. Here and now, we can return to our breath. Take this time to feel wonder and gratitude for every part of your physical body, from head to toe, just the way you are today. With this practice, you’ll cultivate a sense of grounding and openness as you let this energy of relaxation soothe your whole body.

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 Anu Gupta here:

Anu Gupta on Mindful.org

Anu Gupta’s Website

Be More with Anu

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 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.

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.

A mindful eating practice from Eat Right Now, a new app developed by addictions expert Dr. Judson Brewer http://goeatrightnow.com/

Audio track by Mark Bertin, author of "Mindful Parenting for ADHD."

“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, Cara Bradley invites you on a meditation journey that starts in the familiar setting of your daily life:smack in the middle of the commotion, distractions, and obligations that often fill your hours.  . Imagine stepping off the noisy city street into a quiet courtyard, a space where the chaos begins to fade, and your breath becomes your guide to calmness and clarity.

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 Cara Bradley here:

Cara Bradley on Mindful.org

Cara Bradley's Website

And more from Mindful here:

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, 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.

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

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The Real Mindful Podcast

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Life doesn't always serve us exactly what we want. Sometimes it offers pain, confusion, and sorrow. There's no way to stop those circumstances, nor to stop the difficult emotions that might arise alongside them. This week, Frank Ostaseski offers a meditation to investigate all of the circumstances of our lives with curiosity, and that can help us welcome everything that comes, or at least allow it. When we allow what is to simply be, we relieve ourselves of the suffering that can get heaped on top of our moments of difficulty. That extra suffering is optional, even if the difficult causes and conditions are not.

Show Notes:

Find more from Frank Ostaseski here:
Frank Ostaseski, Author at Mindful 

Zen Hospice Project 

Metta Institute

Read Kate Bowler’s essay:

Coming Undone But Not Unmade

Read the June issue of Mindful Magazine here: 

Discover the June 2022 Issue

 And more from Mindful here:

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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’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.

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

Show Notes:

Meditation by Heather Hawk Feinberg. 
Heather Hawk Feinberg is a mother, counselor, writer, music-maker, educator, and spiritual guide. In 2016 she founded Mindful Kids, a non profit organization that creates pioneering resources for social emotional awakening.

This week, meditation teacher Ed Halliwell guides you through "A Guided Meditation for Resting in the Flow," inviting you to envision the human experience as a flowing river—comprised of countless moving droplets forming a dynamic stream. Just as a river undergoes continuous change while maintaining a sense of continuity through well-worn grooves, our lives follow established patterns set by past events. By becoming attuned to the flow and the grooves, we can relax into the journey, gaining clarity that empowers us to skillfully navigate the current. Ed introduces the practice of resting in the flow, offering a meditation that aligns with the metaphor of the river, encouraging a deeper connection with the ever-changing currents of our existence.

Show Notes

Find more from Ed Halliwell here:

Mindfulness with Ed Halliwell

Ed Halliwell on Mindful.org

Ed Halliwell Youtube

And more from Mindful here:

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

This week, Shalini Bahl offers a 12-minute meditation to help us take in and process information efficiently. When we use our senses—touch, sight, hearing, taste, and smell—our thinking mind rests. So here, we focus on our senses and relax the mind. 

This practice is part of a four-part series rooted in the lessons and wisdom from Shalini’s new book Return to Mindfulness: Disrupting Default Habits for Personal Fulfillment, Effective Leadership, and Global Impact, which launched on January 18th.

Show Notes

Find more from Shalini Bahl here:

Shalini Bahl on Mindful.org

And more from Mindful here:

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, Jenée Johnson invites us to come home to our hearts during the holiday season. Through a simple heart-centered practice, we’ll focus on our breath, cultivate calm and appreciation, and create space to rest and renew. This meditation helps us honor the season’s challenges and beauty while finding strength in self-love and care.

We’re also celebrating the revival of Mindful Magazine with a special giveaway for our podcast listeners. Mindful Premium gives you a full year of access to the print magazine, plus our complete digital library of articles, meditations, courses, and more.

Want a chance to WIN a free year of Mindful Premium? Simply visit: https://signups.mindful.org/win-premium/ and enter your email today.

This giveaway is our way of saying thank you for being part of our amazing community. We can’t wait for you to explore everything Mindful Premium has to offer!

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 Jenée Johnson here:

Jenée Johnson on Mindful.org

Jenée Johnson's Website

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 guided meditation can be done anywhere. By tapping into the noise of everyday activities you can find a space to rest and settle your mind. 

Show notes: Meditation by Diana Winston. 

Diana Winston is the Director of Mindfulness Education at UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Center and author of several books including The Little Book of Being: Practices and Guidance for Uncovering your Natural Awareness.

This practice starts by guiding kids through belly breathing with their stuffed animal if they choose. From there, Mark Bertin guides them through reflecting on their day to thinking about proud moments. This simple meditation can help bring mindfulness to kids in an accessible and engaging way.

Show notes: Meditation by Mark Bertin. 

Mark Bertin, MD, is a pediatrician, author, professor, and mindfulness teacher specializing in neurodevelopmental behavioral pediatrics.

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.

When we’re wrestling with experiences that challenge our identities or our confidence—like failures at work, relationship struggles, or letting go of old belief systems — it can be tempting to reach for positive self-talk that pushes back against the difficult feelings we might be having.  

In today’s guided practice, Caverly Morgan offers something much sturdier, what she calls unconditional reassurances. 

In this practice, we’re not just saying the opposite of what we’re feeling, hoping that it will be true. Rather, it’s about anchoring into a deep-down sense of worthiness and compassion that’s always present, regardless of how well things are going for us or how great we feel about ourselves in any given moment. 

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 Caverly Morgan here.

You can learn more about unconditional reassurances on Mindful.org, where we interviewed Caverly 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.

In a world filled with challenges and distractions, we often find ourselves repeating automatic reactions that once helped us survive but now hold us back. Mindful journaling offers a lifeline—allowing us to slow down, listen inwardly, and meet ourselves with compassion.

Today, we’re refreshing a powerful journaling practice guided by Caverly Morgan, focused on letting go of limiting habits. With gentle prompts, Caverly invites us to explore inherited survival strategies, understand deeper needs beneath them, and nurture true belonging within ourselves.

If you’d like more from Caverly, join us for an experiential practice collective based on Caverly Morgan’s transformational, practical and timely book, The Heart of Who We Are: Realizing Freedom Together.

This interactive and experiential course will support you to connect your personal meditation practice to community practice, and to true and meaningful change. True change occurs when we not only understand who we truly are but also act in the world from this understanding.

Learn more and sign up here! 

Want a chance to WIN a free year of Mindful Premium? Simply visit: https://signups.mindful.org/win-premium/ and enter your email today.

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 Caverly Morgan here:

Caverly Morgan on Mindful.org

Caverly Morgan's Website

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.

In this podcast, Patricia Rockman, director of education and clinical services for the Center for Mindfulness Studies in Toronto, and Mindful columnist Elaine Smookler, both cancer survivors, talk about how mindfulness factors into the cancer experience. Full transcript here: https://www.mindful.org/how-to-show-up-when-you-have-cancer/

15-minute loving-kindness meditation from Emma Seppala Science Director of Stanford University’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education and author of "The Happiness Track."

This pen and paper practice guides you into finding your loving-kindness phrases which you can use in meditations. After writing, reflecting and writing some more, Chris guides us in using our phrases.

Show notes: This practice originally appeared on ChrisGermer.com.

Christopher Germer, PhD, has a private practice in mindfulness and compassion-based psychotherapy and is a psychiatry lecturer at the Harvard Medical School/Cambridge Health Alliance.

This week, Stephanie Domet invites us to explore a mindful journaling practice. With the launch of our new Mindful Living Journal, this meditation serves as a perfect companion to deepen your reflective journey.

In this guided meditation, you’ll connect with your senses in a real or imagined setting. What do you hear? What do you smell? Feel the emotional content of the space. Mindful journaling empowers you to connect deeply with yourself and the present moment. In just a few minutes each day, it offers a sanctuary where you can slow down, center your thoughts, and nurture your inner calm. This practice is a compassionate space for self-exploration, helping you to process emotions, gain clarity, and cultivate gratitude.

To celebrate the launch, we're offering a special discount for our podcast listeners. Use the code 12MINUTEMEDITATION at checkout to receive 15% off your purchase. Visit mindful.org/journal  to get your Mindful Living Journal today.

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 Stephanie Domet here:

Stephanie Domet on Mindful.org

AfterWords Literary Festival

Stephanie Domet's Website

And more from Mindful here:

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.

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.

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

We live in a world of constant change and this week, Aden Van Noppen invites us to find what roots us. Aden is the founder and executive director of Mobius, a collaboration between leading neuroscientists, meditation teachers, and technologists to work toward the creation of digital technology that enhances our individual and collective well-being. Aden is also one of the 10 powerful women of the mindfulness movement 2022, and here she guides a meditation on impermanence.

Show Notes:

Find more about Aden Van Noppen here:

“10 Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement: 2022”

Mobius

Check out the August issue of Mindful Magazine here: 

Mindful - August 2022: The Self-Care Issue

And more from Mindful here:

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.

8-minute breathing space practice by Patricia Rockman from the Centre for Mindfulness Studies
*Adapted from Zindel Segal et al. (3-minute Responsive Breathing Space, 2002, 2013)

This week, Judy Lief leads a meditation for grief and loss. Most of us have come up against the experience of grief and loss over the last several years. These feelings can be hard to hold, even as we see how widespread they are. Judy, who wrote the book Making Friends With Death, says that "There’s nothing really to be said about grieving that doesn’t sound trite. There’s no simple way through it. It is extremely difficult to put the gravity or the force of grief into words. And there’s no one way to grieve. Neither is there a cure for our fragility and vulnerability. We have only one option, which is somehow to figure out a way to love and embrace it."

Show notes:

Find more from Judy Lief here:

judylief.com

Making Friends with Death

And more from Mindful here:

Welcome Everything: The February 2022 issue of Mindful magazine.

The Real Mindful Podcast

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 guided meditation helps open your heart to both giving and receiving love. You’ll begin by imagining yourself surrounded by a circle loving beings. Offer love and goodwill to them and they’ll do the same for you. 

Show notes: Meditation by Sharon Salzberg

Sharon Salzberg is a meditation teacher and New York Times best-selling author. She is also the cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society.

This week, Carley Hauck invites us to look within ourselves and affirm what it is that we love most. By connecting with our heart and remembering who and what we love, we also get to connect with our inner caring, protective instinct. This compassionate part of ourselves provides the motivation to choose beneficial actions, not just one time but over the days, weeks, and months of our lives.

Join leadership expert Carley Hauck for the Mindful Workshop: Awaken Your Inner Leader on September 10th at 10 AM PDT. In this 75-minute workshop, you’ll learn how to develop leadership skills that bridge differences and foster belonging at work and in the world. Don’t miss this opportunity to create a positive impact through conscious leadership. Sign up now at shop.mindful.org/.

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 Carley Hauck here:

Carley Hauck on Mindful.org

Carley Hauck's Website

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 week, Dr. Sará King offers a practice to explore, "don't know mind"— an idea that is sometimes used in meditation to evoke a sense of curiosity. So in this practice, we'll explore what it's like to approach the world with a don't know mind. How does that land in the body? What is it like to explore not knowing, not being quite certain?

Show Notes:

Find more from Dr. Sará King here:

Where Science, Mindfulness, and Social Justice Intersect 

And more from Mindful here:

The Only Constant is Change

The April 2022 issue of Mindful magazine: The Resilience 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.

Find your inner support group with this guided meditation for working with physical pain and internally connecting with people who have a similar experience.

Show notes: Meditation by Christiane Wolf.

Christiane Wolf, MD, PhD is a certified MBSR and mindfulness teacher and teacher trainer, and coauthor of A Clinician’s Guide To Teaching Mindfulness.

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.

On this week’s episode of 12 Minute Meditation, Georgina Miranda shares a guided practice to help you feel more grounded and at ease. This is a practice that can help you reconnect with yourself, 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.

Find more of Georgina Miranda here: 

Author Page, Georgina Miranda

This Woman Used Mindfulness to Climb Mt. Everest 

GEORGINA MIRANDA   

Sign up for our Leading Mindfully Newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/b3bedcdfd930/leading-mindfully-newsletter-signups 

And more from Mindful on our conversation podcast, Real Mindful.

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, Diana Hill invites us into a soothing space where we learn to embrace our uncomfortable feelings, much like finding shelter in a serene greenhouse while a storm rages outside. In this practice, guided by principles from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dr. Hill helps us turn toward our emotions—be it anxiety, stress, sadness, or anger—with the kind of tender attention you might give a fragile seedling needing nurture to grow.

Diana is also offering 10 free copies of her new book The Self-Compassion Daily Journal: Let Go of Your Inner Critic and Embrace Who You Are with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to our listeners. If you’d like your own copy, head over to https://signups.mindful.org/book-giveaway-the-self-compassion-daily-journal-dr-diana-hill/ before May 15th to enter for a chance to win.

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 Diana Hill here:

Diana Hill on Mindful.org

Diana Hill’s Website

Diana Hill on Youtube

And more from Mindful here:

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, Steve Hickman guides us in a meditation to cultivate gratitude for the small things that often go unnoticed in our daily lives. It’s easy to get caught up in longing for what we don’t have, which can lead to a cycle of dissatisfaction and striving. In this practice, we’re invited to pause, let go of striving, and open our hearts to the joy and wisdom already present in the seemingly simple moments around us.

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 Steven Hickman here:

Steven Hickman on Mindful.org

Dr. Steven Hickman’s Website

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 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.

Returning to the breath, again and again, when the mind has wandered—that's how we train our attention. A 5-minute breathing practice from Mark Bertin. 

In recent years, mental health professionals have raised the alarm about the growing epidemic of loneliness. Millions of people feel separated and isolated, even when they are surrounded by colleagues or thousands of social media acquaintances. 

In today’s guided practice, Shelly Harrell offers one mindful approach that can counteract this sense of lonely atomization. It is the South African greeting of Sawubona, which carries an intentional willingness to see and to be seen, in our fullness, vulnerability, mutual belonging, and radiance.  

This meditation is part of our Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement series, where we will be 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 new 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 Shelly Harrell here:

• The Soulfulness Center
• You can read Dr. Harrell’s story 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.

Follow this guided meditation to become more aware of the emotions and body sensations when you use your phone.

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.

This guided meditation will help you to get familiar with self-judgments and how you relate to your flaws, so that you can cultivate compassion and recognize your own worthiness.

Show notes: Meditation by Diana Winston. 

Diana Winston is the Director of Mindfulness Education at UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Center and author of several books including The Little Book of Being: Practices and Guidance for Uncovering your Natural Awareness.

This week, Carley Hauck introduces us to a simple yet profound meditation practice aimed at helping us navigate through the ups and downs of everyday life. In a world that feels increasingly complex and uncertain, Carley's guidance is like a gentle hand on the back, encouraging us to slow down and find calm amidst the chaos. She shows us how to face life's challenges with a kind and open heart, reminding us that it's okay to feel overwhelmed sometimes.

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 Carley Hauck here:

Carley Hauck on Mindful.org

Carley Hauck's Website

And more from Mindful here:

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.

"Yes" is the ultimate parenting tool, argues Dan Siegel in his new book with co-author Tina Bryson, "The Yes Brain," because it teaches kids discipline without shutting them down, which encourages them to explore and be more resilient when faced with difficult emotions or mistakes.

Life is constantly changing in various ways that can make it feel like the rug is constantly being pulled out from under you. Join this walking meditation with Mark Bertin as he explores how mindfulness can help you find a balance between accepting what you cannot change and seeking out where to actively put your effort.

Show notes: Meditation by Mark Bertin.

Mark Bertin, MD., is a pediatrician, author, professor, and mindfulness teacher specializing in neurodevelopmental behavioral pediatrics.

This week, join Nadene Cherry for a 12-minute meditation journey aimed at Cultivating Connection to Yourself and Beyond. Amid the rapid pace of everyday life, it's common to feel isolated, with our attention tightly focused on our personal experiences—our physical sensations, our thoughts, our emotions. Nadene's meditation offers a pathway to break down these walls, fostering a deep sense of connection and belonging that resonates with the values of inclusivity and unity.

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 Nadene Cherry here:

Nadene Cherry Website

And more from Mindful here:

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.

Today, Diana Winston guides us through a loving-kindness meditation by encouraging us to focus on someone who brings joy—be it a relative, friend, or beloved pet. As you extend well-wishes for their safety, happiness, health, and ease, notice the calm and contentment you feel. And as you practice this meditation over time, you might be pleasantly surprised by how your thoughts, feelings, and responses begin to shift. 

Show Notes

Find more from Diana Winston here:

Diana Winston

Diana Winston on Mindful.org

And more from Mindful here:

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.

In this practice, Sharon Salzberg invites us to allow ourselves to feel our emotions, notice the sensations that arise in our body, and forgive ourselves for what we feel. And while your mind might wander during the meditation, Salzburg reminds us that it is always possible to let go and begin again. This practice is featured in the June issue of Mindful magazine, which you can find on Mindful.org or at a newsstand near you. 

Show Notes

Find more from Sharon Salzberg here:

Sharon Salzberg, Author at Mindful 

Read the June issue of Mindful magazine here: 

Discover the June 2022 Issue - Mindful Magazine

 And more from Mindful here:

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 guided meditation helps to find the similarities among us all. We are asked to look at each other with compassion and see how we all relate. This practice can be done while you think of a friend or a difficult person in your life. Alternatively, it can be done with a partner sitting across from you.

Show notes: Meditation by Mirabai Bush

Mirabai Bush is a senior fellow at the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society. She has led mindfulness training for lawyers, judges, educators, environmental leaders, activists, students, and the army, and was a key developer of Search Inside Yourself at Google.

This week, Will Schneider instructs us in paying attention to the gentle, natural flow of our breath. By becoming more aware of our inhales and exhales, we gradually bring calm to our mind and our nervous system. We’re giving ourselves permission to slow down for a few minutes. As we breathe, we can also witness the active chatter of our mind without being swept away—in thoughts about the past, or worries about the future. Mindfulness practice reveals how our thoughts and emotions are constantly changing, and this simple, relaxing meditation gives us a chance to release expectations and judgments. A state of mindful awareness is strengthened each time we notice the mind wandering, and choose to come back to the sensations of the breath moving in and out of our body. 

Is your mind more like a circus than a sanctuary? If you’re hoping to let go of stress and anxiety, and feel more present and focused throughout your day, check out the upcoming online Meditation Course with Men Talking Mindfulness. This 9-week, fully online course offers weekly sessions in a group atmosphere where two experienced mindfulness experts will lead practices together, answer your questions, and help you build a consistent mindfulness practice. Beginning October 6th, this course welcomes adults of all genders. Visit mentalkingmindfulness.com to learn more and sign up. 

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:

Will Schneider on Mindful.org

Men Talking Mindfulness Podcast

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 week, meditation teacher Adam Ortman leads us through a guided meditation that explores our inner dialogue. Our inner voice often constructs a limited narrative that obscures the full picture of our experiences. By paying close attention to this inner voice, especially when it tends to focus on negative thoughts, we can begin to nurture a habit of self-compassion.

This episode of 12-Minute Meditation is one of a series we created earlier this year in partnership with WholeSchool Mindfulness to support young people. That being said, anyone of any age can benefit from this beginner friendly self-compassion meditation. 

Show Notes

Find more from Adam Ortman here:

https://wholeschoolmindfulness.org/

And more from Mindful here:

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.

Exploring difficult emotions and experiences may be the key to loosening their hold over us. Patricia Rockman guides us through the experience of shame, offering a chance to let go and shift the narrative. 

Show notes: Meditation by Patricia Rockman.

Patricia Rockman, MD, CCFP, FCFP is a family physician with a focused practice in mental health. She is the Senior Director of Education and Clinical Services at the Centre for Mindfulness Studies, Toronto.

This week, join Nate Klemp as he leads us in a meditation practice to widen our perspective.  In our world, brimming with constant information and rapid change, it's common to feel overwhelmed and resort to narrowing our focus, often manifesting as stress and anxiety. This practice proposes a different approach by widening our perspective. It shifts our view from a limited 'soda straw' outlook to an expansive 'panoramic' one. 

Excitingly, Nate is also offering 20 free copies of his new book "Open: Living with an Expansive Mind in a Distracted World" to our listeners. This is a fantastic opportunity to delve deeper into mindfulness and expansion. To win a copy of Nate's new book, head over to https://signups.mindful.org/book-giveaway-open-by-nate-klemp/  before March 15th to enter for a chance to win.

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 Nate Klemp here:

Nate Klemp on Mindful.org

Nate Klemp’s Website

80/80 Marriage

And more from Mindful here:

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.

Elisha Goldstein says stress isn’t the problem. It’s how we relate to it. This guided meditation tames reactivity and helps you unwind from a hectic day. Once you stop and let go, you can return to the present and go about the rest of your day. 

Show notes: Meditation by Elisha Goldstein. 

Elisha Goldstein, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and conducts a private practice in West Los Angeles. He is founder of the Mindful Living Collective.

This week, meditation teacher Enrique Collazo leads a guided loving-kindness meditation to practice compassion toward ourselves and all others. In our society, we’re often hard on ourselves and strive to reach the high expectations we set. Inevitably, we fall short and this can  lead to a habit of self-criticism. With loving-kindness we can learn to befriend ourselves and others, even when it’s difficult. 

This episode of 12-Minute Meditation is one of a series we created earlier this year in partnership with WholeSchool Mindfulness to support young people. That being said, anyone of any age can benefit from this beginner-friendly loving-kindness meditation. 

Show Notes

Find more from Enrique Collazo here:

https://dharmahomies.com/

https://www.traumaawaremindfulness.com/

https://ibme.com/

https://wholeschoolmindfulness.org/

And more from Mindful here:

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 revisit one of our Top 10 Guided Meditations of 2024, led by Nate Klemp, PhD. Nate, a founding partner at Mindful and the co-author of The 80/80 Marriage, brings us a powerful practice to help expand our perspective.

In the hustle and stress of daily life, it’s easy for our focus to narrow, locking us into a tight, “soda straw” view of the world. This can make challenges feel larger than life, leaving little room for possibility or ease. Nate’s meditation invites us to shift our perspective—to move from this contracted view to a panoramic awareness. 

We’re also celebrating the revival of Mindful Magazine with a special giveaway for our podcast listeners. Mindful Premium gives you a full year of access to the print magazine, plus our complete digital library of articles, meditations, courses, and more.

Want a chance to WIN a free year of Mindful Premium? Simply visit: https://signups.mindful.org/win-premium/ and enter your email today.

This giveaway is our way of saying thank you for being part of our amazing community. We can’t wait for you to explore everything Mindful Premium has to offer!

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 Nate Klemp here:

Nate Klemp on Mindful.org

Nate Klemp’s Website

80/80 Marriage

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.

Learning to tune in to our own vulnerability is an act of courage that allows us to form deeper, more genuine relationships. In the August 2021 issue of Mindful magazine, Dr. Stacee Reicherzer wrote, “If you’re someone who grew up being told that tears are a sign of weakness, or that you should never show fear lest you be exploited, you understand how very difficult it is to communicate complex emotions like jealousy, resentment, or sorrow.” In this week’s episode, Dr. Reicherzer, author of The Healing Otherness Handbook, leads us in a guided meditation to explore vulnerability and what it might be like to open up to someone we trust.

Find more of Dr. Stacee Reicherzer here:

Drstacee.com

The Healing Otherness Handbook

Healing Otherness with Compassion (and Sass)

Guided Practices for Remembering How to Trust

A 15-Minute Guided Meditation on the Pride Flag

And more from Mindful on our conversation podcast Real Mindful and on mindful.org. 

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 are adrift in the wide sea of grief, it can be difficult to imagine any world other than the world of our intense sorrow and loss. In this guided meditation, Brenda K. Mitchell offers one tiny heart-opening invitation: simply allowing what she calls “the possibility of possible.” There isn’t an expectation that you have answers, or lots of hope, or a clear path forward. Rather, this is a tender way to be with the many difficult emotions that accompany losses in our lives, while opening the door just a bit to what might lie ahead.  

Brenda K. Mitchell is a pastor, mindfulness teacher, and advocate for survivors of gun violence. She lost her son Kenneth to gun violence in 2005, when he was just 31 years old. After discovering how mindfulness could help her be with and heal her own grief, she started bringing mindful practices to other people who have experienced trauma and loss as a result of gun violence. 

This meditation marks the beginning of our Women of Mindfulness series, where we will be 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. 

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Show Notes

Find more from Brenda Mitchell here:

Read Brenda’s story 

Learn how Brenda and others are using mindfulness to heal from the trauma of gun violence on Mindful.org

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 guided practice involves deep investigation into the causes of anxious feelings so you can discover the story lines that trigger and drive your emotions.

Show notes: Adapted from A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Workbook for Anxiety by Bob Stahl PhD, Florence Meleo-Meyer MS, MA, and Lynn Koerbel MPH.

Bob Stahl, PhD, has founded eight Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction programs in medical centers in the San Francisco Bay Area and is currently offering programs at Dominican Hospital and El Camino Hospitals in Los Gatos and Mt. View.

This week, Frank Ostaseski leads a practice to welcome everything. And we hear you—there’s a lot going on that you may not feel like welcoming right now. To welcome something doesn't mean we have to like it, and it doesn't mean we have to agree with it; it just means we have to be willing to meet it. In this practice which you can also find in the February 2022 issue of Mindful magazine, Frank Ostaseski offers six steps to open up to the present moment—whatever it may bring.

Show Notes:

Lean Into Love: An Interview with Frank Ostaseski

How to Bookend Your Day with Compassion

The Metta Institute

Check out the February 2022 issue of Mindful magazine 

And find more from Mindful at mindful.org and on our conversation podcast, Real Mindful. 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.

Mindfulness Teacher Vinny Ferraro, a longtime meditator and senior trainer with Mindful Schools, talks to Mindful about why it's so difficult to soften the heart and how we can engage the compassionate response.

This guided meditation is about labelling your emotions. Research suggests that the practice helps the amygdala, the structure in the brain that registers danger, become less active. 

Show notes: Adapted from The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook by Kristin Neff and Chris Germer. 

Audio: © Christopher Germer & Kristin Neff. Mindful Self-Compassion. June 2017. All rights reserved.

Christopher Germer, Ph.D., has a private practice in mindfulness and compassion-based psychotherapy and is a psychiatry lecturer at the Harvard Medical School/Cambridge Health Alliance.

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.

Begin to train your attention with this simple guided meditation. By focusing your attention you can learn to choose what you’d like to focus on instead of getting lost in a wandering mind. 

Show notes: Meditation by Mark Bertin.

Mark Bertin, MD, is a pediatrician, author, professor, and mindfulness teacher specializing in neurodevelopmental behavioral pediatrics.

This guided meditation is focused on deepening your awareness, freeing yourself, and settling in the present moment. This practice will lead you to experience a greater capacity to clear your mind, and increase your ability to focus.

Show notes: Meditation by Rhonda Magee.

Rhonda V. Magee is a professor of law at the University of San Francisco. She is a highly practiced facilitator of restorative MBSR interventions for lawyers and law students.

This week, Tovi Scruggs-Hussein leads us in a practice to explore integrity, inspiration, and purpose with compassion. Tovi is an author, educator, and leadership coach, as well as one of the powerful women of the mindfulness movement featured in the August issue of Mindful magazine. Her 17 years as a high school principal showed her that overworked and under-supported teachers were burning out, while students suffered as a result. Now she teaches leaders to reach their full professional potential—which in turn helps those they lead reach their full potential. 

A brief mindfulness meditation practice to relax your body and focus your mind.

A three-minute guided mindfulness practice: how to tune into the present moment and acknowledge wandering thoughts.

Resist trying to force yourself into peaceful sleep, and instead turn your attention to letting go of judgmental thoughts. It’s okay to have thoughts come up before bed, just let them melt away. Hopefully, by doing this, your body will calm and you will drift off to sleep in the process. 

Show notes: Meditation by Mark Bertin. 

Mark Bertin, MD, is a pediatrician, author, professor, and mindfulness teacher specializing in neurodevelopmental behavioral pediatrics.