Meditation Without Apps: Going Analog
Most meditation apps are designed to keep you dependent. Here's the case for simpler tools—or no tools at all—and how to practice without constant guidance.
Blog
Thoughts on meditation, mindfulness, and returning to what matters.
Finding a Meditation Teacher: When and How
At some point, self-teaching reaches its limits. But how do you find a legitimate meditation teacher? What should you look for—and watch out for? A practical guide to getting guidance.
Stoic Mental Training: Ancient Philosophy for Modern Athletic Performance
Roman Stoics developed sophisticated mental practices 2,000 years ago that parallel modern sports psychology. Learn how Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus created a philosophy of mental toughness that athletes can apply today.
Athletic Identity Crisis: When 'I Am an Athlete' Becomes a Problem
Strong athletic identity drives commitment and performance—until it doesn't. When sport becomes the entirety of self-concept, injury, retirement, or failure can trigger profound crisis. Mindfulness offers a path through.
Tracking Your Meditation Practice: What's Worth Measuring
Should you track your meditation? If so, what? Streaks can motivate or create anxiety. Duration logs can inform or obsess. Here's how to track wisely.
The Noting Technique: Labeling Thoughts for Mental Clarity
Thoughts arise. Instead of getting lost in them, you note: 'thinking.' Then return to the present. This simple labeling technique develops remarkable clarity about your mental patterns.
Short Sessions vs Long Sessions: What Works Better
Is 5 minutes of meditation worth doing? Do you need hour-long sessions to see benefits? The research and tradition have answers about how session length affects your practice.
Playoff Mentality: Mental Preparation When Stakes Are Highest
Playoffs demand a different mental approach. The intensity increases, pressure multiplies, and margins narrow. How to prepare your mind for the games that matter most.
Team Meditation: Building Collective Mental Strength
Individual meditation builds personal capacity. Team meditation creates shared mental skills, synchronized focus, and collective resilience. Learn how to implement group mental training that transforms team performance.
The Noting Technique: Mahasi-Style Meditation
Noting—silently labeling experience as it arises—is one of Vipassana's most powerful techniques. It develops moment-to-moment awareness, prevents getting lost in thought, and reveals the true nature of experience.
Dealing with a Difficult Coach: Mindfulness for Challenging Relationships
Not every coach is a good fit. Some are genuinely difficult—harsh, unfair, uncommunicative, or even abusive. Mindfulness provides tools for navigating these relationships while protecting your well-being and performance.
The 'Am I Doing This Right?' Spiral
You sit to meditate and immediately start questioning: Is this right? Am I supposed to feel this? Should my mind be doing this? The self-doubt spiral is itself the obstacle. Here's how to break free.