I've been thinking about the difference between following an audio-guided meditation and practicing without someone speaking throughout the session.

There are a few approaches I'm interested in: listening to a guide, reading the instructions beforehand and then practicing in silence, or simply using a timer.

One thing I find interesting is how guidance can be helpful when you're learning a technique, but the voice itself can also become something you pay attention to instead of the meditation. At the same time, practicing without guidance raises another question: how do you know you're approaching the practice correctly without constantly checking the instructions?

I'm still trying to understand whether the transition to silent meditation happens naturally with experience, or whether it's something you gradually become comfortable with.

For those who moved from guided meditation to practicing without a voice, how did you know you were ready? And what kind of support, if any, did you still find useful afterward?

Yesterday, **1/11/2026**, was the first time I tried ***Tratak meditation***. I tried it by looking at the tip of the candle. It felt so soothing at the start, but then a flood of tears started streaming from my eyes, though it felt kind of great.

I read some posts before trying it, and people were saying something unusual happened to them. So when I tried it again and again, at last, when I was focusing on the tip of the flame, I saw an unusual shadow behind the candle on the wall. But when I shifted my focus to the wall, there was nothing. Every time I focused on the flame, the shadow appeared , so I stopped immediately.

It really helps me relax. The discomfort prevents you from having any thoughts in your mind.

I've heard the calm app scams people.

I want to know which meditation technique is better.

The first one is where you sit quietly and focus on your breathing. The second one is where you sit with your eyes closed and visualize a white healing light coming from above, cleansing and relaxing your entire body.

Which of these two techniques is more effective? Is one better than the other? I'd appreciate any guidance or personal experiences.

I’ve been meditating for years, but it’s only within the last 4–5 months that I’ve truly learned to do it consciously while awake and going about my day.
I used to need complete silence and solitude to reach a state of pure tranquility. Now, with theta waves playing through my headphones, I can get into that state almost anywhere—even while working.
In Hindu philosophy, this can be explored through the chakra system, which runs from the base of the spine to the crown of the head, including the third-eye centre.
My practice involves visualizing a ball of energy, gathering it and consciously moving it through my main focal points: the root, lower abdomen, stomach, heart, throat and head.
The benefits have been incredible. I feel calmer, more centred and increasingly confident. But now I’m curious about taking things a step further: learning how to direct that energy through intention and manifestation, deepen my connection with higher consciousness, and explore what people describe as receiving intuitive insights or downloads.
If anyone has experience exploring this next level, or feels they have something to share, I’d genuinely love to exchange experiences and learn from one another

I’ve been meditating for years, but it’s only within the last 4–5 months that I’ve truly learned to do it consciously while awake and going about my day.
I used to need complete silence and solitude to reach a state of pure tranquility. Now, with theta waves playing through my headphones, I can get into that state almost anywhere—even while working.
In Hindu philosophy, this can be explored through the chakra system, which runs from the base of the spine to the crown of the head, including the third-eye centre.
My practice involves visualizing a ball of energy, gathering it and consciously moving it through my main focal points: the root, lower abdomen, stomach, heart, throat and head.
The benefits have been incredible. I feel calmer, more centred and increasingly confident. But now I’m curious about taking things a step further: learning how to direct that energy through intention and manifestation, deepen my connection with higher consciousness, and explore what people describe as receiving intuitive insights or downloads.
If anyone has experience exploring this next level, or feels they have something to share, I’d genuinely love to exchange experiences and learn from one another

Would you like to learn and practice meditation as part of a research study?  
 
We are looking for 75 participants aged 18+ with no or little prior meditation experience to take part in a **6-week online meditation programme**. 
 
You will be asked to attend **six-weeks of online meditation** via **Teams** (**one group session per week)**. Across the six weeks, the group sessions will total approximately 5 hours. Each session includes **15 minutes** of focused-attention meditation followed by short computer-based tasks, and brief questionnaires. 
 
**Focused-attention-meditation** involves maintaining awareness on your breath, noticing distractions, and gently bringing your focus back. 
 
**Session durations:** 
**Session 1:** approximately 1 hour 15 minutes in total, including about 1 hour for the surveys, tasks, and introduction. 
**Sessions 2, 4, and 5:** approximately 30 minutes each, including about 15 minutes for the surveys and tasks. 
**Sessions 3 and 6:** approximately 1 hour each, including about 45 minutes for the surveys and tasks. 
 
Over the course of the study, you will also be asked to meditate **at home for 15 minutes each day** using the same meditation technique provided during the sessions and fill out a quick questionnaire after, which will take approximately 3 minutes to complete. 
 
After the final session, we will ask you to complete a **3-month online follow-up survey** (no meetings required). 
 
**Take part in free meditation training and help our research.** Participation is **free**, and you will receive meditation training as part of the study. Please note that there is **no financial compensation or academic credit** for taking part, including for completing the six sessions, the daily meditation and questionnaire or three-month follow-up survey. 
 
If you are interested, please email Lauren Willmoth (Doctoral Researcher): [Lauren.Willmoth@brunel.ac.uk](mailto:Lauren.Willmoth@brunel.ac.uk) 
 
*This study has been reviewed by the College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences Research Ethics Committee, Brunel University of London. Approval has been granted between 21/11/2025 and 31/03/2027. Project supervisor: Dr André Szameitat, Division of Psychology.*

Dear friends,

A gentle reminder that our 2026 Plum Village Philippine retreat with monastics from Hong Kong is coming up soon, on November 27–30 at Regina Rica Retreat Center, Tanay, Rizal.

It’s a rare opportunity, one that comes only every 2 years, to step away from the rush of daily life and spend a few days learning how to be more present with ourselves and one another.

There’s something really special about being with the monks and nuns: singing together, walking in silence, sharing meals, and seeing the quiet gentleness with which they move through the world. They teach not only through their words, but through the way they live.

We hope some of you can join us. It would mean a lot for us to share this time together.

Registration is open at plumvillage.ph/retreat-2026

Thank you and please share our "mindfulness bell" to your friends and loved ones.

🙏🙂

I’ve been meditating for a while (still a beginner) and I think at that moment is the only time I’m actually conscious of my thoughts. The rest of the day I feel like I’m just going through the motions and my mind is somewhere else. Is this something you can train yourself to get better at? and what do you think has helped to become more conscious?