With all the press about the benefits of meditation, you may be thinking it’s time you began meditating. But how to get started?

One of the greatest challenges for beginning meditators is the great noise of their minds. It is easy to feel like a meditation failure, and so it helps to have a little help.

While learning with a meditation teacher can be a wonderful way to begin, you can also explore on your own. From apps and podcasts to websites and books, there’s no shortage of options. The choices can feel overwhelming, so I’ve gathered a few trusted resources to help you take those first steps with ease.

In this article, you’ll find an easy-to-follow guide to helpful meditation resources, including:

• Online tools and websites from trusted teachers

• Popular meditation apps and podcasts you can try

• Recommended books and library materials to deepen your practice

Whether you prefer digital or print, guided or self-led, this list will help you find a starting point that feels right for you.

Online Resources

Google the word “meditation,” and you may well be overwhelmed. Your search will yield numerous pages of resources. In addition to websites, you will find a wealth of YouTube videos as well as playlists on Spotify and other music services.

With so many resources to choose from, I suggest you start by exploring online resources from well-known teachers, such as  Tara Brach, Joseph Goldstein, and Sharon Salzberg.

Apps and Podcasts

There are numerous apps available for your iPhone, Android, or iPad. Most apps offer a few free guided meditations but require a subscription to access the rest of their content. This can be expensive as some of them cost upwards of $100 a year! There is one exception, however: the Insight Timer app. You can purchase a paid plan, but by and large, its content is free. Some of its most appealing features are:

• a customizable timer with your choice of bell tones to start and end your meditation session

• ability to search for guided meditations by instructor or topic, such as sleep, stress, anxiety, etc.

• a bookmark feature which allows you to create your library of favorite meditations

While this is the app I recommend most often, I encourage you to explore others, such as Headspace, Calm, and 10% Happier to find one best suited to your preferences.

As for podcasts, I recommend reading this article about the best meditation podcasts. Many of them are by teachers named in this article.

Books and Library Resources

A visit to your local library or bookstore will provide you with a wide array of meditation books and audio resources. In addition to resources from the meditation teachers named above, you’ll find some true classics from the following teachers:

• Jon Kabat-Zinn, has written several books worth reading, namely Full Catastrophe Living and Wherever You Go There You Are. The latter is shorter and a good place to start. In my local library, I also found a set of CDs by Kabat-Zinn in which he talks about mindfulness meditation and provides several guided meditations.

• Sally Kempton, Pema Chodron, and Thich Nhat Hanh have written several wonderful books about meditation. Take time to search online for guided meditations by both of these esteemed teachers.

• Be sure to check out the popular book by former ABC news anchor, Dan Harris, called 10% Happier. In his book, Harris describes his journey from being a “meditation skeptic” to becoming an avid practitioner and creating his 10% Happier app. The book is funny and informative, providing insight into the benefits of meditation as well as the stressful world of TV network news.

Keep in mind this list is meant to be a starting place, not a comprehensive list. No doubt, you’ll find many more, so explore and see what resonates with you.

Whichever of these resources you choose to use, remember to be gentle with yourself as you begin practicing. Some days your mind will be quiet and blissful, and other days you won’t be able to quiet it for 30 seconds. This is normal, and even experienced meditators struggle some days. Keep at it. The long-term benefits are worth it.

Still overwhelmed and not sure where to begin? Try one of these guided meditations:

Breath Meditation

5-Minute Meditation You Can Do Anywhere

Be well!

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