How to Integrate Meditation Into Your Life Using Technology

It’s great to have a meditation practice! Whether we’re just beginning to learn, or are seasoned (meaning that we’re still learning but think that we aren’t), there are times in our lives when gentle reminders and nifty tools can help us to be consistent.

We’ve already discussed how to use and integrate meditation into our on this site and addressed a number of ways to deal with obstacles to our meditation (Please see Related Posts below). In this post, we’ll answer one question that comes up a lot; “How do I remember to meditate?” “How do I remember to practice, to do short sessions during the day?”

I don’t know about you, but I have to keep reminding myself to do all sorts of things in my life, pay bills, get my son to music lessons, even…remind myself to feed the parking meter at the right time so that I won’t get a ticket!

Although I find myself gaining great benefits from meditation such as more presence, attention and awareness, I find that I still need to use tools to get keep myself on track with remembering to practice meditation my daily life. Fortunately for me, and for other meditators, we’re lucky to have so many geeks in our ranks, meditators who actually create tools to help us to remember to meditate.

Spotlight Six Software Insight Timer

The first application is a handy little number from the folks at Spotlight Six Software. I’ve been using this application for a few years and have found it to be just the ticket for reminding me to take time to practice. The application, Insight Timer, is a great tool to use while at work, while cooking, or even driving. It comes with “seven different bells of varying size and metal compositions – from bright and clean to deep and complex with lovely overtones.” There are a number of great options, including a log for keeping track of your sessions, a vibrate function (so you can use it during long tedious meetings to bring your mind back!), the option to pause meditation sessions, and the ability to change the time-interval between reminder bells. Here’s a GREAT FEATURE that adds a little personality to this application; you can even see who else is meditating with you…all over the world! And, this app is just $1.99. It’s worth checking out. This app is available for the iPhone, iPad, and Android-based phones.

Simple Touch Meditate

Two additional applications can be found on the SimpleTouch website. This company seems to make timers for everything; exercise, yoga, meditation…even boxing! The first application, Meditate, is described as being “simple, elegant, beautiful.” Indeed, it is. For me, I like having a few more options such as those found in the Insight Timer application, described above. However, this is the first application that I used as a meditation/timing device and I found it effective. This application comes with 3 basic bell sounds, but then you have to purchase additional meditation bowl sounds if you want a wider variety. Use options include a vibrate function, preparation timer, interval chimes and a cool down period. This application sells for $2.99 and is available of iPhone and iPad.

Simple Touch Meditator

The other application from SimpleTouch is Meditator, whose application page looks like an advertisement for Gothic meditation. This application is similar to the Meditate application except that you can choose from 4 “ambient soundscapes” to enhance your meditation. It has the the same options as Meditate does, except that it comes with more sound/chime/bell choices. This application sells for $2.99 and is available for iPhone and iPad.

Now and Zen Meditation Timer

Besides these portable and high-tech tools, there are hundreds of meditation timers available. These timers come in the form of clock-like gadgets that can be either very simple (like a clock!) or beautifully handcrafted timers like those offered by Now and Zen.

Web-Based Timers and Widgets

There’s an abundance of web-based timers as well as desktop widgets that you can download and use on your computer. These tools are easy to use, generally cost nothing (yes, they’re free) and can add another dimension to your practice reminder toolbox.

However you do it, it’s well worth embracing modern technology to assist you in stabilizing your practice, remembering that learning to meditate is learning to live life, more present, aware and compassionately. All of these products are here for the one purpose of helping us to become better and more consistent meditators. See what you think. Explore them. Enjoy!

How To Meditate

 

Maybe you’ve already got a meditation practice. If that’s the case, great! Keep it up. And feel free to use all of the content from this site to support you in your efforts. If you haven’t started to meditate, begin now.

Many people don’t meditate because they believe that they need to do “something special” in order to meditate, maybe you’re one of them. “Doing something” special isn’t the case. All you need is your breath, and a few minutes of time set aside to begin your practice. Here are some tools to get you started:

 

This site has tons of tools for learning how to meditate.

 

I encourage you to look through the HUNDREDS of articles that I’ve written and especially check out my weekly meditation tips and other useful meditation materials provided for your health and well being. And please let me know if you’d like to discuss anything with me, have any questions or need clarification regarding anything that I’ve written about.

Thanks for visiting and have a mindful day.