I’m currently stuck in life. It’s been months and im dealing with two things part of my life im stuck on. I always struggled with taking action, i grew up not really having achievements, sports or hobby in life that i would want to work hard in. I feel like im stuck in life because im not taking action enough but i guess its more than that. After researching bunch of videos how to heal bunch of trauma and issues about myself im left with confusion, lack of direction, cluelessness. It seems easy to start from where but its been more than a week since i start being sad over this problem, i just feel dumb like its so easy to start but my brain just cant seem to understand where and when. I can’t afford therapy and im still a student but knowing you have self awareness of bunch of your issues about yourself and not being able to solve or heal is damn awful. Im left with all these awareness without doing anything about it. If i have this awareness why not start now? I want to get a job already and afford therapy so i can seek help with how to heal trauma so i dont have to feel dumb trying to heal myself. I noticed i always get been stuck in life for 2 years now i just want clarity and direction in life and thats all i need in order for me to take action but i cant, i dont know what to do, i have no idea what to do and i just realized this now for the past week i just felt sooo dumb for not knowing the answers im looking for. Writing this won’t give me answer but its just frustrating when you have a lot of self awareness yet you cant take action.

Wassup guys so I would like some advice on how to improve this area of my life.

Obviously it’s Sunday, I went to mass today and had a great time. But it’s so hard for me to relax in every day life when I do have an “ off day” recently college grad working in retail trying to get back into grad school.

As mentioned I just have such a hard time trying to get rid of this anxiety I have and trying to get rid of that feeling that I have to be doing something all the time. Doesn’t feel good.

So far, I have tried mindfulness, being present. But what else can I do to live more in the moment and enjoy time off?

I live with a close friend and just find myself feeling resentful over things she does, like monopolizing our living room is the biggest thing right now. I feel irrational because it is a communal space, but she’s always down there and I’d love some time there for myself. But it feels unfair to ask her not to be in the shared space, so I am just trying to cope with this resentment. I am trying to have empathy and accept my discomfort but I feel blocked. Any advice?

To keep a journal 📓. What all you write it in to better yourself?

Lately I’m in a bit of a low phase. Sleeping too much, lacking motivation and generally feeling low. It has been going on for a while, and it seems that there’s nothing that can really get me out of this rut. But I have discovered the one thing that actually gives me some relief. A while ago I took a meditation program offered by Sadh-guru where I learned some powerful practices. Doing these practices can always give me some solace from however I might be feeling. It took some discipline to get started at first. But once I worked up the discipline to do this for at least 1.5 hours a day it makes such a difference for my depression that I cannot skip it. I literally don’t know where I would be without my meditation practice. This is just about the only thing that actually works in bringing some relief and balance to my mind.

I’m curious to hear your experience with meditation and how it keeps up your mental health.

I recently wrote about the top 10 restful activities to help us reclaim some balance. From mindfulness and forest walks to simply doing nothing (shoutout to the Dutch practice of “Niksen”!), these little rituals can bring some much-needed peace.

In a world that glorifies busyness, rest has become an act of self-care. Thought I’d share my post for anyone looking to unwind a bit more each day. Would love to hear what helps you recharge too!

https://bookishdoctor.blogspot.com/2024/11/top-10-restful-activities-to-try-when.html

Meditating for 30 days straight. Yet i just cant seem to focus on breath for even 30 seconds. Generally the guidance is to focus on sensations on/in nostrils, chest expanding or belly expanding. When my eyes are open i see my upper body expanding quite enormously. And yet when i close my eyes to sit to meditate. I just cant seem to focus. Please help with some practical guidance

Do you think there's a big difference from a set of 7 Tibetan singing bowls for like $150 on eBay or Etsy vs a set of 7 from a more new agey spiritual store like (Himalayanbowls dot com, the Ohm store, etc) that sells for $800? Is it just marketing? Thank you

Hey all!

I’m just now reaching 20 minutes in my practice! But every time I hit the 15 min mark, I feel my back pinching in between my shoulder blades…

Anyways, it kinda takes me out of the zone so I was wondering if anyone had advice! Either how to not get distracted, or to stop the pain altogether?

What i mean by inner peace is where nothing bothers you you take everything "on the chin" as it were. To me though Apathy seems to be that as well, so what is the difference when they both seem to be achieving the same thing

I have been told i'm apathetic but i see it as inner peace because i don't have to worry about emotions i can just "dift" to me that's peace and harmony

For many of us online and offline, there's an awareness that we live in a world full of overload of information and news and perspectives and such. And overthinking in ourselves.

And the fact that everyone around the internet and personal life,(especially reddit home-page when you log-out), it seems that politics and other fields, any field, seem very biased and people very attached to their sources, likes and dislikes, thoughts and insulting to views of others

I noticed that over time, that the practice of meditation and awareness of my thoughts, has led me to see that it's very easy to fall into this trap, but when you notice it before you act on it, It creates rationality and calmness to see how you're gonna engage with people. Thus, treating them more kindly, and noticing when to accept what resonates, what you can acknowledge about them and the views.

Of course, it can also create a paradox, where one can become biased towards non-attachment views themselves, like buddhism and other spiritual sources. Or meditation itself. This is an extreme path to also be aware of.

But, I try to cope with this, by acknowledging that, since cognitive bias and emotional attachment , and ideological indoctrination/bias are part of nearly all human experience, then, at least following methods that aim at reducing it, may paradoxically be a way of using this human nature on our favor, to, as a final goal, reduce unhealthy attachment even to the practices and doctrines that we followed themselves.

*(I also posted this text, this reflection on the r/mindfullness subreddit first, to see and ask you guys if you think that people from other subs who are not so familiar with the concept as those who already practiced it, could understand this text easily, and understand the message.)*

I am a pretty heavy doomscroller and basically carry my phone everywhere. From morning walks to evening stroll everywhere my phone and earphones are with me. I guess I am suffering from loneliness and use phone as a coping mechanism. I also have ADHD so ig I need constant stimulation.

However I am trying to get rid of this habit. Today I took the courage and went for a morning walk without phone. It was blissful. Noticed so many birds , the sound of winds , the smell of morning dew. It was soo great.

My mind really felt relaxed and it improved my mood.

Any advice to reduce my phone usage to minimum?

Hello Everyone! 😊

I’m a cognitive science student at the University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland. I’m conducting a study as part of my master’s thesis to explore how different types of meditation, including practices like Mindfulness, may influence visual perception.

The goal of my research is to find out whether people who meditate can recognize visual stimuli more quickly than non-meditators and to see if the duration of meditation practice is linked to improved perceptual skills. It’s a quick, 6-minute interactive test where you’ll be able to see your results immediately afterward.

The study is anonymous, safe, and voluntary. If you’re interested in helping with this research, here’s the link to participate: https://perceptionthresholdthesis.site/

Your support would not only be incredibly helpful for my thesis but would also contribute to our understanding of how meditation may affect cognition. If you have friends or fellow practitioners who might be interested, feel free to share the link! 🙏

Thank you very much, and I’m looking forward to seeing the results! 😊

I have watched a lot of spiritual teachers,gurus and just people explaining the importance of presence and that all knowing awareness behind the thoughts of the mind. My question though is can it even be truly communicated.

One example i will give is alot of these teachers will usually tell a story of when they became aware of the true self/I in I am. Realising they are not the story the thoughts in their mind tells them. When they do that their thoughts tend to lessen or completely stop and from then on they become truly aware of themselves and the world around them. Often being inseparable.

At that point though when someone begins to teach of this awareness they use words formed in the mind. To my understanding awareness cannot speak and is just always their so are we just being taught by the ego of that person? Where does the wisdom of this awareness come from? It seems like a pointless endeavor to communicate something that can solely be experienced and cannot be experienced by the ego which isnt even real but everyone believes to be true.

P.S. I know i phrased this question poorly so forgive me.

To society and my peers I look like I've made it. I’m constantly trying to get better but can never appreciate how far I’ve come and I’m so hard on myself because of this. There is a lot in my life that I should be grateful for, but even when I practice gratitude, I still don’t feel like this is enough. For so long, I have associated my self-worth, performance, and ranking amongst my peers together from childhood into adulthood

What can I do to improve this? What can I tell my inner-child? What new behaviors can I introduce into my life?

I'm actually speechless on how the time went by so fast and that I managed to meditate 100 (!!!) days in a row.

I used an app called Mainspring habit tracker which reminded me to meditate and kept me motivated with nice stats and graphs - this is usually not enough for me, but I pushed myself to do it and I think without this app I couldn't find the motivation I was looking for.

I feel like another person really, it's like this 100 days was my first. I'm calmer, happier, more productive, less anxious, and I hope you will find this feeling too! If I did it, you can do it too, I'm sure of it - just keep trying at your own pace and your future self will thank you.

I would love to find an app that will:

• ring at random times/random intervals
• that can be set for time parameters
• bonus: can be set for a certain number of rings a day, but timing still random

I see that Mindfulness and Random Timer have this functionality… but the longest interval on both is one hour.

I’m hoping to find a tool that lets me say, for example, 5 random timers between 7 am and 11 pm.

Let me know if you know of any!

https://preview.redd.it/5w9nn3fynozd1.jpg?width=1042&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5b27f87e06c37ede568e61944a90e8d292e65606

At 1GEN, Diwali is a celebration of unity, kindness, and empathy. Through our "Spread the Light" (STL) campaign, we’ve aimed to make a meaningful impact this festive season. This year, we united supporters from across communities, raising ₹1,01,000 to share the joy of Diwali with those who need it most.

With this support, we organized a memorable Diwali Mela for orphaned children, bringing them laughter, games, and the joy of creation through crafts. Our "Empower Vision" initiative provided essential eye care services and raised awareness on eye donation, giving the gift of sight and making the festival truly bright. And through "Umeed Ka Diya," we celebrated with senior citizens, creating a night filled with laughter, connection, and the warmth of togetherness.

This campaign has shown us the power of collective action. Each gesture, every act of generosity, and each shared moment of joy spreads light far and wide, creating a ripple effect of kindness. Diwali reminds us that by lighting up someone else’s world, we illuminate our own.

Together, let’s keep the spirit alive and carry forward the message of compassion and unity. #SpreadTheLight #HappyHappyDiwali #1GEN

I started meditating daily about a month ago, and while everyone talks about feeling calmer, I'm suddenly noticing just how much my mind races all day thoughts I used to ignore are now super obvious. I'm starting to see patterns in what triggers my stress too. Is this a normal part of the journey?

https://preview.redd.it/wfcbthsyplzd1.jpg?width=1042&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=eacc035fa57f9bf1b1d47c44ad3e6abaeb936c4d

Diwali is a festival filled with joy, love, and light, and for us at 1GEN, it’s also a reminder of the power of unity, kindness, and empathy. This year, our "Spread the Light" (STL) campaign has touched hearts and brought smiles to so many, reminding us of the season's true spirit.

At 1GEN, Diwali is more than a festival of lights; it’s a celebration of the power of kindness and the impact of collective compassion. This year’s "Spread the Light" campaign, #HappyHappyDiwali, exemplifies this spirit by creating positive change through a blend of empathy, joy, and connection.

The Purpose of "Spread the Light"

What does it mean to "spread the light"?

At its heart, it’s about creating moments that bring happiness and hope that connect us as a community. This campaign is our way of reminding everyone that each of us has a role in making the world brighter, kinder, and more inclusive.

Embracing Collective Action: A Community of Givers

This year, 1GEN united supporters from all walks of life to become part of our vision. Through the generosity and kindness of these supporters, we raised ₹1,01,000, showing the power of collective action. It’s this community spirit that truly lights the path to a better tomorrow.

Our Initiatives: Meaningful Change

With the amount of money we had, we were able to initiate three impactful programs that brought hope and joy to the people who needed it the most. These efforts showed our commitment to not only helping but also building long-term connections that uplift whole communities.

Diwali Mela for Children

As no child should ever miss the magic of Diwali, this Diwali Mela was sure to bring happiness to the orphaned children without which they might have otherwise missed the warmth of the festival. From card-making to enjoying delicious treats, the Diwali Mela was filled with moments of laughter and excitement. Seeing the children light up as they crafted Diwali cards was one of the most heartwarming experiences of the event.

Children have an innate joy that brings life to any celebration. Diwali Mela in Chandigarh brought Diwali magic to children. Through activities, games, and vibrant decorations, we were able to create memories that these children will hold in their hearts for years to come.

Empower Vision: Eye Care for All

This Diwali, we brought clarity to the eyes of those in need through our "Empower Vision" initiative. With eye care programs in Pune and a virtual awareness campaign about eye donation, we have enabled people to see and feel the beauty of this festival of lights.

Our virtual awareness campaign on eye donation also helped spread knowledge and understanding about this precious gift of sight.

Through your support, we empowered more people to see the world with renewed hope.

Umeed Ka Diya: A Celebration with Senior Citizens

Loneliness can truly weigh upon anyone, particularly the old at the festivals. Umeed Ka Diya, which brought warm and roars of laughter to such aged people especially the aged who cannot celebrate it far from family. It's a full-time, dynamic management to keep things running at the great performances, great decorations, and warmth-filled connections at Diwali so none feels missed.

Together, we created an evening that left everyone feeling valued and cared for.

The Numbers Behind Our Impact

The success of our campaign was achieved through the generous support of many. With over ₹1,01,000 raised, we’ve touched hundreds of lives, showing how even the smallest contributions make a difference when united under a single cause.

The Ripple Effect of Kindness

Spread the Light is about creating a ripple effect of kindness that spreads far and wide. Every act of generosity, no matter how small, contributes to a brighter world. It's about realizing that in lighting up someone else's world, we illuminate our own.

Reflecting on the impact of this Diwali, we would encourage you to continue spreading kindness and making a difference. Be it supporting our initiatives or taking your own steps to spread compassion, every little action counts. From sharing our campaign with friends and family to volunteering your time or donating to a local cause, every little effort makes an impact.

Let's take this Diwali spirit forward into the festival.

Together, we can continue a movement of giving, compassion, and connection that inspires others and creates a brighter future for everyone.

For more information, visit our website.

There are a lot of techniques for mindfulness and thought reflection. But my idea is that I built on existing techniques and built my own.

Similar techniques include the "leaves on a stream" exercise, where individuals observe thoughts as they come and go. Mental nothing: This other technique includes acknowledgment of thoughts and emotions without immediate analysis. So now let's talk about my technique. It's a technique; it's about observing in the moment when your mind is still not full of the day's emotions and problems. Where you are awaking and still relaxed. It's best to practice it in the morning when you wake up.

The difference in my technique are the steps and the way you practice it.

Here are the steps: Dialy thought observation: for 5 minutes every morning when you wake up, observe the thoughts, ideas, and images that come to your mind without judging or early analyzing. Let the ideas flow and come to surface without pushing them away.

Noting images or words: when you see certain feeling, image, or thought that comes to mind and inspires you, makes you feel sad, happy, laugh, or confident, write it down in a journal to reflect on it later. But not now; for now, just continue seeing your thoughts.

Reflecting: after the observing period, start reflecting on ideas and thoughts and see similar or repeating ideas, patterns, or insights that emerged. You can make notes about some ideas that you want.

Benefits Great self awareness Observing the ideas in the morning, let your subconscious speak to you about the idea that makes him feel uncertain or worried. Or make you happy.

Mindfulness: This technique keeps you connected with the core of your thinking pattern, strengthening you before the day bigan.

And I called thought Surfacing.

To be present is to be mindful.

Tonight, I keep wondering how it would feel to sleep in someone's embrace. If you feel the same, these words are for you: I want you to have love. I want you to feel the warm embrace at night as well as the kiss on the forehead. I want you to sleep knowing that you will wake up being loved just as you slept off being adored. I want you to smile the first thing in the morning and the last thing at night. I want you to have love and to never wonder what it's like not having it. 💕

I’m a woman, & disabled as well. I don’t feel like I’ve ever made either of those things a core of my identity, but it’s hard not to feel abandoned after this election. I knew this was a possible outcome & have come to accept it. I knew half the population felt like this, but I’m struggling more with the fact that good chunk of my countrymen didn’t feel bothered enough to come out for voting. I’m trying to stay mindful, but feel anger bubbling up at those around me who it feels don’t value my autonomy. I’m looking for book recommendations that may also come from the perspective of authors below those in power. I’m trying to be mindful & live my life with purpose, but am trying to reconcile the feelings of anger I have for those actively working against the struggle or those apathetic to it. Thanks for reading.

Everyone is real stressed right now, so I'd like to have a video/series of videos queued up in a quiet space of our office that people could go chill in for a bit. I need something that isn't super guided or like overly educational. The problem is, I don't have time to listen through a bunch to find the right one. Can you help? Thank you!

I like to mindful, I feel like I am living rather than existing when I am mindful. But past month, with series of dating applications, disappointments, job troubles, mental health degradation, i cant even be mindful for 5 minutes. Living in reality without engaging in mindfulness haunts me, i am just wanting to escape the reality. I just keep day dreaming and engage in fantasies my own dream world, please suggest me few things.