Beyond Class
It’s hard to keep up your practice. We’ve compiled a list of ways to help you keep growing and staying active with your mindfulness practice.
Take a class or join a meditation group
Trying to keep your mindfulness practice going all by yourself is nearly impossible. There are so many cultural pulls away from this practice, that if you don’t spend some time on a regular basis with others who are practicing, you’re likely to lose your momentum. The best thing you could do to further your growth would be to sign up for another class or join a meditation group that meets weekly. See if there is our follow up class Intro to Mindfulness Part 2 in your area or search for meditation groups in your area.
MIEA often hosts mindfulness retreats, workshops, or series for students. Check our schedule here.
Read another book about mindfulness
Learning more about the benefits of mindfulness is a great way to build your motivation to keep practicing. Consider trying one of the books below, or go to your favorite bookstore and browse. There are lots of books out there, so find one that resonates with you.
- Real Happiness by Sharon Salzberg
Salzberg is one of the best mindfulness teachers out there, and this book has been wildly popular. It’s a clearly written manual that guides you through a 28-Âday program for building a mindfulness practice. This can be a great follow up for your Intro to Mindfulness class and it is the one we use for Intro to Mindfulness Part 2. - The Mindful Athlete by George Mumford
This is a great mindfulness guide for athletes and aspiring athletes. Mumford is an experienced meditator who teaches mindfulness to professional athletes. He does a great job making mindfulness practices relevant for all. - Mindfulness in Plain English by Henepola Gunaratana
This book has a more Buddhist perspective, but it’s a great introduction to meditation practice. The style is very direct and the meditation instructions are easy to follow. - Radical Dharma by Jasmine Syedullah, Lama Rod Owens, and angel Kyodo Williams
If you are interested in the interface between contemplative practices and social justice, this book will engage and inspire you.
Online Resources
There are endless resources online. You can find YouTube videos, TedTalks, and endless articles about mindfulness and meditation. Search for something that interests you, or try one of these.
- Wild Mind offers resources for what it calls “Buddhist Meditation”. The articles are straightforward, and the techniques offered are consistent with the strategies we work on in Intro to Mindfulness. They also offer an on-line course that might be interesting to try if you wanted to take your practice up another notch.
- There’s a podcast for millennials called, The Millenials Guide to Mindfulness. You might find some of the episodes interesting.
- Dharma Seed has hundreds of talks on meditation, all for free.
- Don’t forget about the pause, our blog dedicated to providing tips and inspiration.
Koru Mindfulness App
Hopefully, you have been using the app during your class. Don’t stop now! Keep logging your meditations and use your favorite guided meditations. You’ll keep seeing your class stats so you’ll know you’re not alone!