Mindfulness

Getting Started

4-7-8 Breathing - a simple breath practice for relaxation and stress relief

Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction - Maine Health offers this 8-week course integrating sitting and moving meditation. With the exception of a residential meditation retreat, this is one of the best ways to begin or strengthen a practice.

Meditation for Beginners - This short book by Kornfield is a great resource to help start a home meditation practice. You can read the first few pages here.

10 % Happier by Dan Harris - This is a great introduction to mindfulness and meditation for the sceptic, or really anyone else.

Guided Meditations

Basic Guided Mindfulness Meditation - by Joseph Goldstein

Big Mind Meditation - by Joseph Goldstein

Busy Life, No Self - Three 3-minute meditations for the busy life, both audio and transcript, by Joseph Goldstein.

Meditation Instructions - by Sam Harris

True Meditation - Instructions by Adyashanti

Tonglen meditations instructions - by Joan Halifax

Books

Meditation for Beginners - This short book by Kornfield is a great resource to help start a home meditation practice. You can read the first few pages here.

A Path With Heart - A comprehensive exploration of the spiritual path by meditation teacher Jack Kornfield.

10 % Happier by Dan Harris - A great introduction to mindfulness and meditation for the sceptic, or really anyone else.

No Boundary - A great gateway to transpersonal psychology and the work of Ken Wilber.

Mindfulness in Plain English - This classic is another excellent doorway for the novice meditator. Its also available free online here.

Waking Up - A well written and fascinating exploration of contemplative practice by neuroscientist and philosopher Sam Harris, perfect for those with an allergy to spiritual mumbo-jumbo.

Retreats and Community

Insight Meditation Society - Based in nearby in Massachusetts, IMS is the east-coast mecca of all things meditation and Buddhism.

Vipassana Meditation Retreats - Ten day silent meditation courses, donation based. Highly recommended for anyone looking to begin or deepen practice.

Maine Buddhist Gathering - This website and newsletter provides a great listing for group sittings, events, retreats, and Sangha in Maine.

Whole Health Center in Bar Harbor, Maine - This holistic health center offers a powerful four day retreat, the True Heart/True Mind Intensives.