To ask for meditation recommendations

[TicketBoo23]

Having recently watched a documentary in the possible benefits of meditation (though the documentary maker actually had the strongest evidence of the usefulness of a silent retreat, not feasible for me ATM or many ppl I'd imagine) ..... Can I ask what you meditate too.

There are so many resources, I'm interested as to what people found most helpful/effective.

Thank you.

To, not too 😖

Sorry, forgot to turn off voting

10% happier - it's an app, also a book by Dan Harris. Very good.

I too am finding this to be an area where there is too much choice! I am trying mindfulness and wading through the ten million recordings on youtube (and other sites). Lots of different angles, eg breathing, physical sensations, some more Eastern/mystical. Having to try short ones due to bad back muscles and lack of focus.
Last night I searched for something like 'mindfulness for anxiety' and picked a short ten minute one by Headspace;

Insight timer is a great free source of guided meditation. I would have a look there and see what sort of style you like.

That's exactly what I was imagining; so I thought I'd ask for advice from some experienced meditators.

Really do recommend Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic World.

Would suggest the audio version. Written by doctors and gives a full introduction and then offers an eight week programme to follow.
Each week you do that weeks meditation (takes about ten minutes) then at the end you choose which to carry on.

I listened to it over two years ago when I was having a very tough time.
Helped me massively, I now do half hour every day and will never ever live without this in my life.

Thank you everyone so far for your suggestions.

Thank you for this .... It's highlighted for me that I think you need to really like the person's voice, accent and speaking style (not this bloke for me unfortunately).

I also use the Mark Williams Mindfulness that @TourmalineGiraffe mentioned. It helped me through the toughest thing I’d ever experienced. It’s in audible.

I listen to one of the meditations every day before I go to bed.

You’re right about the voice, I like Mark Williams voice.

I also did not like it at first, but actually it got better, and I liked his spacing/what he was saying. Others I've picked for a great voice but than their pauses are odd or what they're talking about is - for me - off.
Other night I tried this one; . Gorgeous voice, lovely backing track.... All was well until he started telling me to 'own it' or whatever :-) Sometimes what they're saying just makes no sense, at all or to me! However I will use this one again.

I suggest keeping well away from the Triratna Buddhist Order.

I really loved the Headspace app but not sure I’d pay for it. I get a free subscription through work so it’s worth checking if you get anything free if you work or as add ons with insurance policies etc.

The app has turned a bit woke now and I find there’s a bit of an agenda about political issues etc on there (hence why I wouldn’t pay as I’ve gone off it a bit). But the Netflix Headspace series is a brilliant introduction, and the free videos on YouTube are good - they’re all clean from the wokeness/politics!

Really though all you need is a timer (use one on your phone) - set it for 15 minutes a day, focus on your breath or a word, and every time your mind wanders note the distraction and bring your attention back to your breath or the word. Some people prefer to focus on a noise, like white noise or the hum of an air conditioner etc. It’s the act of bringing your attention back that’s the important bit for building your ability to observe, so don’t worry about how many times your attention wanders - every time you bring it back to focus you’re doing something good for your mind.

When you get to the point where you can focus for a while without distraction, the feeling of your body sinking down to a deeper calm is amazing.

I use transcendental meditation. It's old fashioned now, I guess, but I learned it 40+ years ago and still find it helpful.

It takes 40 minutes a day, Two lots of 20 minutes.

@CarolineHelston
Interesting, could you say why?

I use the 10% happier app. I like the host and enjoy the podcasts too. 15-20 mins per day consistently for 6 months and I feel more stable in my moods, better able to reflect on what’s at the root of anything that triggers emotions, and less inclined to take things personally.

@CarolineHelston
Interesting, could you say why?

I was involved with them many years back - they had a different name then. The guru/spiritual leader sexually abused young men.

I just googled it Caroline - heck - Guardian article from 21/07/19.

this one is super

Thank you for the suggestions everyone.