See All Stories In

Loving the Lotus

From combatting anxiety to reducing physical pain, meditation has a host of mind-body benefits.

Psych Basics

Meditation

All About Meditation

Meditation is the practice of turning your attention to a single point of reference. It can involve focusing on the breath, on bodily sensations, or on a word known as a mantra. In other words, meditation means turning your attention away from distracting thoughts and focusing on the present moment. Meditating is deceptively simple. A cartoon from The New Yorker sums it up: Two monks are sitting side by side, meditating. The younger one is giving the older one a quizzical look, to which the older one responds, "Nothing happens next. This is it."



Clear Your Mind

A Meditation on Meditation

Presence, breath, intuition and slowing — not for you? Think again.

A Simple Meditation Technique

For mental tranquility and clarity

The Science of Meditation

Squashing anxiety in a tranquil state.

Too Busy to Meditate? Think Again!

Learn three easy and quick meditations to improve your life.

Back to the Present: How to Live in the Moment

How to get mindful now.

Changing Your Brain By Changing Your Mind

How meditation rewires your brain to be more positive

How Meditation Changes Pain, Relieves Depression

The more you focus on pain, the higher your pain tolerance.

How to Meditate On the Subway

Meditate while commuting?!  Give it a try!

Anytime, Anywhere Meditation

Learn to discover the silence inside the noise.

Four Good Times of Day to Meditate (And One to Avoid)

Expert advice on when to meditate, and when not to.

See Also

Stressed Out?
Find someone to help you slow down

Meditation Tests

Attention

Can't concentrate? Learn how to focus your attention.

Attention Span Test

Do you focus on a task or zone out?

More Tests

Current Issue

Confessions of a Sociopath

She's successful and charming as well as ruthless and calculating.

Integrative Medicine Blogs

  • Marc Schoen

    5 Cents: The Doctor Is In

    How to change your life through mind and body.
    By Marc Schoen, Ph.D.
  • Robert Hedaya, M.D., D.F.A.P.A.

    Health Matters

    Connecting you to the sources of health.
    By Robert J. Hedaya, M.D.
  • Marilyn Mitchell, M.D.

    Heart and Soul Healing

    A women's health physician explores avenues to greater wellness.
    By Marilyn Mitchell, M.D.
  • Peter Bongiorno

    Inner Source

    Better health the natural way.
    By Peter Bongiorno
  • Catherine Ulbricht, Pharm.D.

    Natural Standard

    The authority on integrative medicine.
    By Catherine Ulbricht, Pharm.D.

  • Real Healing

    Real healing bubbles to consciousness as a call to use our illness to transform our lives
    By Carolyn C. Ross, M.D., M.P.H
  • Roy B. Sessions, M.D.

    The Cancer Experience

    The doctor, the patient, the journey.
    By Roy B. Sessions, M.D.
  • Leana Wen, M.D.

    The Doctor Is Listening

    How patients can advocate for better care
    By Leana Wen, M.D.