Give Your Monkey Mind a Rest!

Photo by Soul Full Sanctuary Photography

A powerful tool that I learned to use to manage my depression and anxiety, is how to "get out of my head" by focusing on the present moment. Sometimes it can be as simple as reminding myself to take a few deep breaths or to allow myself to watch the birds outside my window when I first wake up. Other times, it may be a more formal, guided meditation practice. Of course, for me the easiest and by far my favorite mindful practice, is getting out in nature with my camera! The point is to find what allows you to be more fully present in the now and less attached to the scattered thoughts jumping around in your monkey mind.

Whether you are a newcomer to practicing mindfulness, or a seasoned meditator, you can benefit from the free mindfulness resources provided by Sounds True, an independent multimedia publishing company dedicated to inspiring, supporting and serving personal transformation and spiritual awakening.

The Practice of Mindfulness features six guided meditation tracks by mindful living leaders:

1. "Breathing Meditation" by Jack Kornfield

2. "Meditation for Relaxation" by Shinzen Young

3. "Mindfulness Meditation" by Kelly McGonigal

4. "A Pause for Presence" by Tara Brach

5. "Meditation on Compassion" by Sharon Salzberg

6. "The Healing Lake Meditation" by Jon Kabat-Zinn and Andrew Weil, MD

Meditation Music: An Invitation to Still the Mind and Open the Heart offers nine music tracks that support a relaxed, contemplative state of being:

1. "Moola Prayer" from the album Om Deeksha

2. "Walking into the Himalaya to Meditate" from the album Tibetan Meditation Music

3. "Safe Delivery" from the album Shakuhachi Water Meditations

4. "Return to Peace" from the album Vibrational Sound Healing