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Meditation Resources: Mindful Moments

Mindful Moments

When we think about meditation, we often imagine sitting on a cushion. This kind of meditation - whether practiced sitting, standing, walking, or lying down - is known as formal meditation. But what about bringing our practice into our daily lives? This approach is known as informal meditation. We might pause for breath before unlocking our phones. We might take a moment at the start of the day to set an intention and then reflect on it at the end of the day. 

Informal meditation is any technique or practice that helps us tap into our awareness. We can practice informal meditation alone, especially if our lives are especially busy, but informal meditation tends to be most helpful when it is supported by formal meditation, even if you only practice formal meditation for a few minutes a day.

Use the resources on this page to explore ways to create mindful moments. You can also find many additional ideas by searching “Mindful moments” online.

Techniques to Try

  • Link a mindful moment to an activity you routinely perform. You can check in with your mind when you’re brushing your teeth. You can take a deep breath whenever you unlock your phone. 
  • Put a sticky note reminder some place where you’ll see it. The note can be a reminder to breathe or might state an intention, like “breathe” or “relax.”
  • Set reminders on your phone, like a quiet alarm that prompts you to stop and take a breath whenever you see it.
  • If you’re feeling disconnected, try to get outside and sense the larger world around you. Or take a moment to tune into your feet. Just feel your feet on the ground right now.
  • Explore a mindful moments video - check out the recommendations to the right.

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0