Meditation Practice and Buddhist Psychology

Mindfulness and Meditation Resources

UCLA Mindful – Guided Meditations (Body Scan, Loving Kindness, & Mindfulness)

UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness – Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

Self-Compassion Resources

Kristin Neff – Self-Compassion Practices

Brene Brown – Ted Talks on Shame and Vulnerability

Tara Brach – RAIN model to work on developing self-compassion

Therapy for Black Girls – resourceful website and podcast on various topics

Apps

Headspace – program, free at first and then monthly subscription

Insight Timer – timer, guided meditations, community of meditators online

Recovery Record – app for addressing eating related issues with a meditation component built in

DrJud.com – app dedicated to addressing any behavior that can be compulsive including worrying using a mindfulness based approach

Finch – take care of a virtual pet by completing self-care tasks, setting and meeting goals, mood tracking, and more.

Dharma Seed – access Buddhist meditation instructions and Dharma talks

Practice with Others in Community

Some spiritual communities will have their own meditation groups you can explore within your own tradition. If you don’t follow a specific tradition and are open to exploring various practices with a spiritual component I’ve listed some here. For a secular approach to mindfulness, consider signing up for a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction group (usually offered for 8 weeks).

Some yoga studios offer yin yoga that includes a meditation component and general meditation sits.

Most centers are based in Buddhist philosophy but open to secular practitioners. Some centers have affinity groups like people of color, LGBTQ groups, people in recovery, etc.

Bay Area Meditation Centers:
Spirit Rock
East Bay Meditation Center
San Francisco Zen Center
Insight Meditation Center

For secular group practice, you can find Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction groups online or close to where you live.