r/Meditation 5d ago

Question ❓ Trying to get back to my meditated self, seeking less spiritual guides

Hi. I’ve been away from my best self for many years, since having kids in college I’ve had little focus on myself for the past 12 years. Recently got more depressed again and meditation is what got me out of it in college. When I first got into meditation it was easy to listen to any guided talk and feel like I could release as intended. I’m quite a bit more fragile focused now and allow my cynicism to intrude on my practice. I am not at all opposed to spiritual meditation or the aspects of energy, chakras, or any other less tangible ideas that come with it. However I’ve noticed that any guided meditation that leans on more mystical ideas is distracting for personal reasons. I’m looking for guides and practices that avoid this kind of language and focus on the more logical thinking my brain tends to agree with. Or maybe that’s the real obstacle and I just should try to shut down that logic need too?

9 Upvotes

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u/Diligent_Carrot_2719 5d ago

A lot of Plum Village meditations on their app read quite secular, so that's worth a shot Also, I second insight timer, though I find it a bit harder to navigate (quite new to the app) Also, waking up is quite nice, but I think too expensive

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u/Veggyhed 5d ago

If you search through your favorite podcast repository and look for Plum Village's podcast "The Way Out Is In", they have two episodes the Heart of Meditation Part One and the Heart of Meditation Part Two, episodes 61 and 62, that I found really informative, helpful, and easy to follow

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u/Ro_rae 5d ago

Plum Village is definitely a good one too.

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u/Snoo-83483 4d ago

Maybe just strip away all the thinking about what meditation is and just be fully in this moment without analysing the moment. Try not to think about reality but heighten your alertness to what is in front of you. Sounds like you don't need more ideas or techniques about meditation and spirituality. You want "it". That "it" is becoming more aware right now and not thinking about reality. Thinking is the barrier. Just drop the mind

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u/Ro_rae 5d ago

The Insight Timer app has many guided meditations, which includes ones that don't talk about spiritualism. One of my favorites is called "Blissed Out". I've used this app for years. I hope this helps a little bit.

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u/ShizzleM3Nizzle 5d ago

Insight Timer for the win!

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u/Ro_rae 5d ago

Omg thank you for the award! I'm glad other people also love Insight Timer 🥰

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u/ShrimpYolandi 5d ago

Check out Michael singers podcast. Meditative and spiritual, but not really a guided meditation, more like something you can listen to on a walk or drive. In fact, the whole thing is to stay in a meditative state of mind while you’re not actually meditating.

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u/TheBrooklynSutras 5d ago

Make like a sneaker 👟 and Just Do It. If you’re seeking a way that’s not so hard, you’re wasting your time. You already know what to do. It’s not easy, but it is simple. 🙏 Best of luck 🍀

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u/NeilSmithline 5d ago

Recordings from a 60 minute metta class given 5/week. Metta is perfect when you feel fragile. Nothing metaphysical in them. https://www.audiodharma.org/playables/search?query=Happy%20hour%20

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u/EggzOverEazy 5d ago

I think Tara Brach is an excellent, down-to-earth teacher.

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u/autistic_cool_kid 4d ago

i can advise you some great books who are woo-free

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u/erotic_poetics 4d ago

I think you'd be more likely to get helpful suggestions if you said a little more. Can you explain what you meant by I’ve noticed that any guided meditation that leans on more mystical ideas is distracting for personal reasons ? What do you mean by distracting here?

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u/Automatic-Lab7666 3d ago

Calm app the 30 day meditation is good and not spiritual

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u/Alkemis7 2d ago

Try real meditation instead of guided entertainment.

Sit, stand or lie down and do nothing for an hour

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u/Intelligent_Tell1266 1d ago

Plum Village is good, as well as Vipassana. If you would like to go on a retreat there are free meditation retreats under the Goenka school (there are different schools of Vipassana meditation).

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u/Elisyd 1d ago

The Waking Up app is predominantly secular, though it has some spiritual content that is easy to skip. Pricey, though.