If you’re anything like me, you may sometimes have the best intentions of meditating, only to find yourself finding excuses to avoid sitting still.
Maybe it’s because the thought of slowing down makes your heart start to race with terror. Maybe it’s because you’d rather sit naked on the subway floor for an hour than sit with your own thoughts for even a minute.
Or maybe your lack of motivation stems from a list of can’ts—a sense that you can’t devote enough time to make it worthwhile, or you can’t do it consistently because some days are busier than others, or you can’t make the time for yourself because other people need you.
Whatever the case may be, if you’ve finally decided to create a consistent meditation practice, now is a great time to start, as you’ll have two amazing free resources to help you make it a habit.
Meditation 101
Meditation 101 is a free virtual conference taking place between April 21st and 25th. Featuring interviews with thirty-two experts on meditation, mindfulness, psychology, and neuroscience, this online event will help you learn how to meditate to:
- Reduce stress, anxiety, and depression
- Sleep better
- Feel happier and more present
- Have more energy
- Transform yourself mentally, physically, and spiritually
Some of the experts include:
- Marianne Williamson, spiritual teacher and author of A Return to Love
- Rick Hanson, neuropsychologist and author of Buddha’s Brain
- Tommy Rosen, yoga teacher and addiction recovery expert
- Michael Beckwith, meditation teacher and author of 40 Day Mind Fast Soul Feast
- Stephen Cope, former director of the Kripalu Institute for Extraordinary Living
- Waylon Lewis, founder of elephantjournal.com
- Mallika Chopra, founder of intent.com
Each interview includes a guided meditation, so you can soak up all the information and then immediately reap the benefits of meditating.
Learn more about this event and get a free ticket to the conference, visit Meditation 101.
Mindful in May
If after participating in the Meditation 101 Conference you need some support to maintain your practice, Mindful in May can help.
This month-long event helps you clear your mind with meditation while providing clean water to those without.
Throughout the month, you’ll receive daily emails with resources and support to help you stick to a ten-minute-a-day meditation commitment.
You can either make a donation of any amount, or get sponsored by friends and family, to help raise money for Charity Water.
The program includes:
- Daily guidance through an e-course with clear, accessible tips on how to meditate
- Downloadable, weekly audio meditations
- Daily motivation and coaching to support your new mindful habit
- Exclusive video interviews with leading global mindfulness leaders from around the world
- A meditation journal to keep track of your month
- One month curation of inspiring content including video links, articles, and quotes to nourish your soul and introduce you to world leaders in wellbeing.
- Healthy, quick recipes that can support your wellness and inspire you to practise mindful eating
Join the Mindful in May challenge here.
Photo by Gabriel Rocha
About Lori Deschene
Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, c-PTSD, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others to do the same. You can find her books, including Tiny Buddha’s Gratitude Journal and Tiny Buddha’s Worry Journal, here and learn more about her eCourse, Recreate Your Life Story, if you’re ready to transform your life and become the person you want to be.
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Though I run this site, it is not mine. It's ours. It's not about me. It's about us. Your stories and your wisdom are just as meaningful as mine. 
Thank you for these resources Lori. I have been sharing the Mindful in May website to help others with developing a daily mindfulness practice and awareness. I think it starts as anything else…if you commit to it for a 3-4 week period, it usually turns into a lifestyle habit. I find that if I have a day where I do not practice, I am sometimes not myself.
When I first started practicing mindfulness, I kept a journal (small notebook) in my purse. That way I could write down things about my meditation and possible distractions that made my mind wander. I also wrote down different observations in the workplace where I could be more mindful in my approach or response to situations.
You’re most welcome! What a wonderful idea, to keep a meditation/mindfulness journal. =)