Where Should the Tongue Be During Meditation? (seriously!)

A monk deep in meditation in Jhana realm at the top of a local Theravada Buddhist temple in Krabi, Thailand.

Some new meditators must be wondering, ‘Where should the tongue be during meditation?’ Should it just stick to the top of your mouth? Move with the breath? Or sit still somewhere? As I sat here an hour ago or so, I realized that usually, I don’t tell new meditators who read my books what exactly … Read more

16 Essential Meditation Tips for Beginners (#11 and 16 are key)

16 Essential meditation tips for beginners and advanced students.

Meditation is not difficult, but there are a hundred ways you can get off track. You maybe already know that. Most of the questions I get about meditation from beginners are about the basics. These 15 tips will put you mostly on the right track. You certainly should pay attention to them and find yourself … Read more

Meditation at Night vs Morning – Which Is Better?

Woman meditating at sunset at night looking at mountains.

It depends on you! That’s the short answer. I’ve meditated both at night and in the morning and at all times in-between. Sometimes I preferred one time of day, and other times I preferred another. Honestly, what mattered most was when I had time to do it and when would be the quietest space for … Read more

Is there a Phrase (Mantra) I should Repeat when Meditating?

Should I repeat a Phrase while Meditating? (Mantra) This is a good question. The main goal of meditation as you begin is to reach a place where the mind is not churning out so many thoughts. It will be impossible for you to concentrate on the full breath until your mind has calmed down a … Read more

Suan Mokkh Buddhist Temple, Chaiya, Thailand

I wouldn’t consider myself a Buddhist, but I do love visiting the Buddhist temples around Thailand. Just the other week I went to one of my favorite temples – Wat Suan Mokkhabalaram in Chaiya district of Surat Thani, well south of Bangkok by about 600 kilometers. Wat Suan Mokkh is a forest temple, Thais say … Read more

Meditation Catch-22

Meditation Catch-22 – Don’t Want the Experiences I was lucky when I began meditating. I didn’t have any illusion about what states I might reach, what levels. I didn’t study any of that, because I just couldn’t have cared less at the time I started meditation. To me, meditation was just an attempt at relaxation … Read more