And I agree.

I got up too early one morning…

and decided to try Amazon’s Headspace app for meditation. I gave it a fair shot by paying the first month, and then canceling. You can be charged $12.99/month or less if calculated by the year ($7.99), and even less over time with the lifetime subscription ($399)!

I wanted to see all that it has to offer in one month. I do not need it on a long-term basis because I write my own very effective guided meditations, and have access to others who are excellent guided meditation gurus and hypnotherapists.

My experience with meditation before trying this app is intensive, meaning I’ve been practicing self hypnosis (similar to guided meditation) and hypnosis over the course of several years while meditation is something I’ve studied, and rigorously continued to learn (minus the mountaintop retreat) only this last year.

Hypnosis and guided meditations (formerly known as self-hypnosis) are my specialty. Meditation is part of the equation though, and I realize this. I skipped over meditation for many years simply because I found self hypnosis first, and it worked!

I’m here to broaden my knowledge and experience the mind-body connection (in various forms) to relieve stress, as you may be interested in doing too.

The app

The format is quite organized right down to accommodating the competitive types with “reward” systems and tracking miles…or hours….whatever. Creators of apps love their data, or maybe because most people like data? Who knows? I don’t need it though. Sometimes that data makes you feel like you’re “doing something.”

I feel a little too connected at that point when I need to be told how many hours I’ve meditated. I really just want to focus on real benefits.

Co-creator of the app, Andy Puddicombe is the voice of Headspace. He has a soothing British accent. I personally enjoy recordings set in British accents. I wonder if the British do too.

There are fun little cartoon tutorials before you begin a meditation- some are free, most of it is unlocked with a paid subscription. There are a few different categories, from sports performance to meditation for kids.

As someone new to practicing the art of meditation, this app is definitely representative of traditional meditation- although not that “traditional” because you’re listening to it on an app, but absolutely convenient. Maybe too convenient like when microwave ovens rolled around to save our lives time-wise, but ruin our food…and bodies health-wise.

That’s why this app is great for beginners and people who need to be accountable with the tracking that I always tend to ignore anyway. It’s a good way to experience meditation, but not the only way, and in my opinion not the optimal way.

It’s quite true to the basic principles of meditation as it focuses on your breathing, and what to do with your brain…that wanders…and wanders…and mocks you while it’s thinking of everything but relaxing!

Funny thing is, I find myself more focused and relaxed during a traditional meditation session where it’s just me and the hard ground- no app, no British accent, no headphones.

 Meditation is for everyone

There will be a lot of people now made aware, just because this app exists, about the importance of meditation, and just how to get started. That’s a good thing!

My hope is that people will branch out and find what benefits them more specifically. More specific guided meditations are optimal, and this app falls flat in that aspect. It’s heavy on the meditation, but not the guided visualizations that produce quicker results with specific problems.

Benefits of meditation:

• Reduces stress.

• Improves concentration.

• Encourages a healthy lifestyle.

• Increases self-awareness.

• Increases happiness.

• Increases acceptance.

• May slow aging and signs of stress.

• Benefits cardiovascular and immune health.

I read through numerous comments about Headspace that reminded me of when I first discovered self hypnosis:

“After day one I am already super relaxed, can’t wait for day two.”

People will ultimately find what’s right for them. Some comments remarked that it is boring, and it is. The “challenge” of traditional meditation is more enjoyable than a repetitive app. This was a bit like imitation cheese. If you want cheese very badly, it’s a good substitute, and better than nothing. Do not mistake it for the real deal though.

Another comment:

“This has driven me to see what else is out there.”

A lot of discovering going on and that couldn’t make me happier!

Have you tried Headspace? Or Meditation?