Last year I took the plunge and downloaded the Headspace app. Does it work? I can say an outstanding, "Yes!" Originally, I paid for the promotional yearly rate after trying the app for several weeks free.
It only took a few weeks to attain better, more thorough nightly sleep, calmed jittery nerves, and a more focused daily outlook on life. In fact, it worked so well that I gladly paid the usual yearly fee when it was up. I just couldn't be without it! My daily sessions after coming home from work were gladly anticipated and rigidly fit into my schedule so that I can maintain that balance.
The history of meditation is deep, stretching back to before the beginning of the Current Era. Without going too far into the weeds, it's important to understand the difference between meditation as part of Hindu and Buddhist traditions on the one hand and secular mindfulness meditation on the other.
Headspace doesn't purport to offer enlightenment or to explain the concept of Samsara — the endless cycle of suffering, death and rebirth that is at the center of those Indian religions. Instead, the app aims to teach "the essentials of living a healthier, happier life."
Though the principle of the practice is very similar — watching your breath — the underpinnings of each are drastically different. Headspace is based in modern science, while Buddhist and Hindu meditation is based on the writings and teachings of various spiritual leaders.
In many ways, Headspace feels like Buddhism-lite. It's got all the flavor of spiritual meditation with none of the religious underpinnings. That's not a huge surprise, as one of the app's founders is an ordained Buddhist monk. His goal with the app is to bring meditation to people who might not have tried it otherwise.
Headspace boasts, "Any time, any place, anywhere. On your mobile and tablet, you can listen to Headspace on the go and download sessions to use offline. On your computer, you can play any session, any time."
It only took a few weeks to attain better, more thorough nightly sleep, calmed jittery nerves, and a more focused daily outlook on life. In fact, it worked so well that I gladly paid the usual yearly fee when it was up. I just couldn't be without it! My daily sessions after coming home from work were gladly anticipated and rigidly fit into my schedule so that I can maintain that balance.
The history of meditation is deep, stretching back to before the beginning of the Current Era. Without going too far into the weeds, it's important to understand the difference between meditation as part of Hindu and Buddhist traditions on the one hand and secular mindfulness meditation on the other.
Headspace doesn't purport to offer enlightenment or to explain the concept of Samsara — the endless cycle of suffering, death and rebirth that is at the center of those Indian religions. Instead, the app aims to teach "the essentials of living a healthier, happier life."
Though the principle of the practice is very similar — watching your breath — the underpinnings of each are drastically different. Headspace is based in modern science, while Buddhist and Hindu meditation is based on the writings and teachings of various spiritual leaders.
In many ways, Headspace feels like Buddhism-lite. It's got all the flavor of spiritual meditation with none of the religious underpinnings. That's not a huge surprise, as one of the app's founders is an ordained Buddhist monk. His goal with the app is to bring meditation to people who might not have tried it otherwise.
Headspace boasts, "Any time, any place, anywhere. On your mobile and tablet, you can listen to Headspace on the go and download sessions to use offline. On your computer, you can play any session, any time."
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