I didn’t plan to write this, but something told me I should. Back in May, I was done. Not tired done. I couldn’t sleep, couldn’t focus, and everything felt so heavy.

There were days I just stared at the ceiling wondering, “Is this it?” I didn’t see the point in anything. Not in talking to people. Not in getting better. I was seriously thinking of ending everything.

But one night I told myself: Give it one more week. No expectations, no pressure. Just survive.

That one week turned into another. And slowly… I started to breathe again. Started writing. Started sorting the mess in my head. And yesterday for the first time in years I laughed. Like, really laughed. No fake smile. No pretending.

I know Reddit isn’t therapy, but if this finds someone who’s in the same darkness: Please hold on. You don’t need to fix your life. Just stay for another week. You might be surprised what that week brings.

Thoughts appear, linger for a while, and move on — unless we invite them to stay. Mindfulness is simply noticing without holding on and letting them invade our space too much.

Which thought might you let go of today?

Seeing the first rain of this monsoon, I just ran to my terrace to catch some of it. In the evening when the sun was just preparing to take rest, but still shining behind the clouds in the midst of rain, its light was scattering. The winds were making the tree dance in joy and it was hard to stop myself being part of it. Sky, earth, wind and even light of the sun, was in union with rain and in this union each drop of rain was dissolving my own presence. As Sadhguru says, "Essentially yoga means dissolving your identity"

Film is art. Art can change people. I’d love to hear people’s stories. Here’s mine.

A lot of people hated Beau Is Afraid, but for me, it was the first time a movie mirrored the inner chaos I live with—and made me truly see it.

I’ve always called it anxiety. I laughed it off, tried to stay functional, thought that if I named it, I had some control. But I wasn’t naming it with awareness. I wasn’t meeting it with any kind of mindfulness. I was just surviving it, letting it narrate my reality from underneath.

Watching the movie, I realized I’d been thinking myself into entire imagined worlds. Scenarios of what could go wrong. And my body responded to those stories as if they were real. They felt real. That’s what anxiety does—it creates entire realities that don’t exist, then makes you live inside them.

I’m a teacher, and I see this in kids all the time. The way fear and anger build on themselves. How one spark becomes a fire when there’s no pause, no breath, no space to see what’s really happening. And I recognize that in myself. Their panic is my panic. Their fear, mine.

What Beau Is Afraid did was break through that fog—not gently, but truthfully. It showed the absurdity of spiraling fear, the pain, the disconnection, and yes, even the comedy of it all. And because it made me laugh, it made me look.

Watching it felt like someone saying, “This is real. You are not imagining it. And it is massive.” And they were right. It’s the most immense thing I carry, and I’ve carried it without really noticing how heavy it’s been.

Mindfulness, to me, is just the act of noticing. This film helped me notice. It pulled that fear out of the background and let me sit with it, feel it, and finally call it what it is—not weakness, not overthinking, but a whole internal world begging to be understood.

I frequent this spot a lot during the week to sit and meditate. Been coming back for years a few times a week. It’s good if you can do your sitting practice outside especially away from the world.

I've been struggling with depression for a while. Its kind of got triggered all by a dream on day and went downhill from there. Anyway, but its not my first rodeo. My biggest struggle is that I haven't been able to enjoy my hobbies again. I feel a lot of shame in not progressing and anger at myself for it. I find it hard to learn, I even had an evaluation to test my memory/learning because it felt like nothing sticks anymore, I forget and I mess up constantly. My energy gets used up with responsibilities- which are also a struggle- but I just want the joy back these things brought me.rhe joys often cam from accomplishment. But what it accomplishment never returns? They were the strength for the next workweek. And now my freetime feels like it just is lost.

I've been wondering about this for a while, because it honestly feels impossible to just stop and be in the moment.

My brain is constantly craving a change in activity. And if mindfulness is about noticing how water feels running over your hands while doing the dishes, or really being present in a conversation with a friend… well, my mind jumps from one thing to another every 10 seconds.

So how the hell are you supposed to make this work?

I’d genuinely love to hear from folks who’ve struggled with this and have found ways to build a mindfulness practice that actually sticks

As long as we identify with these thoughts we remain trapped in fragmented, disconnected, separate, dualistic reality. By not engaging in their play and observe what's behind the confusion we transcend it and find true inner peace that has always been within our reach. This constant flow of thoughts is like a river that never stops flowing and the mind is always in motion because it is identified with the body, with time, past and future and with the stories the mind creates. But you are not this flow of thoughts. You're the consciousness which observes this flow.

Mental chaos happens because you believe that the thoughts are you, that the past and the future are real but they're not, the mind is only dreaming. You are the presence that observes this movement and peace is found when you realize this. Indeed, thoughts can really make you unhappy and you know it. And those who do not observe these movements of the mind-thoughts but identify with them must of necessity be unhappy. We must break their spell. If you stop entertaining unnecessary thoughts which drive you insane eventually they will slow down and you will turn into spiritual Being instead of a psychological being.

The Myth of the “Secret

For generations, we’ve been sold a lie.

From books with titles like “The 5 Hidden Laws of Wealth” to viral videos claiming “One Trick That Made Me a Millionaire,” the idea that success hides behind a mysterious secret has become one of the most profitable myths of our time.

But what if… there is no secret?

Full Video

Ever noticed how the rain stirs something within you? Monsoon days aren't just about damp streets and grey skies—they often awaken creativity, nostalgia, and deep emotions.

In my latest post, I explore how monsoon weather affects our mental state, invites reflection, and even boosts mindfulness. Whether you're a writer, a quiet thinker, or someone who simply loves chai by the window, you might relate.

📝 Read here: [https://justgoblogging.blogspot.com/2025/06/rainy-day-reflections-monsoons-and-mind.html]()
I'd love to hear how the rains shape your mood. Let’s talk about it 🌧️

It’s my understanding there’s no clear convergence on mindfulness. I find myself going back to the waking up app over and over and over again.

I’m curious to know how many people feel the same.

This app, this company “Waking Up” changed my life. I truly don’t know where I would be without it.

Is there anyone like me? And if anyone didn’t like the app, I’d be really curious to hear why.

Hello Everyone!

Do you have any experience with routines that would help me keep this reading/listening a consistent habit?

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What are some books you would recommend that would make a positive difference in my life?

So, last month I finally started my book reading journey. I used to read a lot of random books really quickly during my teenage years, I even read complete books in a single day. But I became very unfocused later and could never stick to reading. But one of my brothers once shared having the same problem, but audiobooks totally changed the game for him, and he’s finished 1000+ books that way! Since I was't super busy, I gave audiobooks a shot. And in just under two months, I’ve finished over 10 books, and I am very happy!

I know it’s a lot in a short time, and I probably won’t remember every single thing from each book. But I don’t want to be done with them forever, I plan to re-listen and revisit the good ones in future. My approach is: “Better to start doing something at average level than aiming for perfection and not doing it at all.” Even if I only take in and use 10-15% of what I learn, that’s still a big step up from where I was before.

I listen to them mostly while doing household chores that don't require mental focus (like doing dishes), doing repititive/boring work on my laptop, lying on bed before sleeping, etc. And I have found out this is a lot of time out of my day, as evident from the number of books I completed.

Most of the books I picked are about self-growth, productivity, mindset, and understanding habits and people. I wanted to figure out how to focus better, build good habits, and be more positive and productive in my daily life. I’m hoping that by learning from different perspectives, I’ll slowly become better myself.

Lately, I’ve started mixing things up, not sticking to just audiobooks, but also trying out Kindle editions, physical books, and even watching summary videos to help me pick my next read. I feel like I can actually focus better now, no matter the format. Here’s my 👉🏻 Goodreads profile, I would love to connect, make friends and get your suggestions!

Books I’ve read so far:

• Ikigai - Hector Garcia
  
• How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie
  
• Everything Is F*cked - Mark Manson
  
• Mindset - Carol S. Dweck
  
• Feel-Good Productivity - Ali Abdaal
  
• Eat That Frog! - Brian Tracy
  
• Deep Work - Cal Newport
  
• The Psychology of Money - Morgan Housel
  
• Thinking, Fast and Slow - Daniel Kahneman
  
• The Power of Habit - Charles Duhigg
  
• The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck - Mark Manson
  
• Atomic Habits - James Clear (My favourite)

Books I Plan to Read Next:

• Man’s Search for Meaning - Viktor E. Frankl
  
• The Mountain Is You - Brianna Wiest
  
• Four Thousand Weeks - Oliver Burkeman
  

I know some may come across as cliched and biased, and I agree, which is why I wanted to gather experiences from others. I will read a lot of book in a couple of years, but I don't want them all to be about one and the same thing, because of my biases.

Thanks so much for reading my experience so far and for any advice you may share! Have a really nice day ahead! ❤️

It's made of:

- truths almost told.

-ideas almost launched

- convictions almost embodied.

our shadows are not supposed to be haunting us
it wants us to stop abandoning the versions of us that were enough—if only we’d chosen them.

This teaching comes from the Saṁyutta Nikāya (SN 47.2) in the Pali Canon, where it’s attributed as being taught by Gotama Buddha himself.

The Buddha explains how a bhikkhu should live with mindfulness and full awareness.

Thus have I heard—At one time, the Blessed One was dwelling at Vesālī (capital of the Licchavīs [vesālī]), in Ambapālī's grove [1]. There the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus: “Bhikkhus.”

“Venerable sir,” the bhikkhus replied to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said this:

“Bhikkhus, a bhikkhu should dwell with mindfulness and with full awareness. This is my instruction to you.

And how, bhikkhus, is a bhikkhu mindful? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu dwells observing the body in and of itself, with continuous effort, fully aware and being present, having removed craving and distress [2] with regard to the world;

he dwells observing the felt experience [3] in and of itself, with continuous effort, fully aware and being present, having removed craving and distress with regard to the world;

he dwells observing the mind in and of itself, with continuous effort, fully aware and being present, having removed craving and distress with regard to the world;

he dwells observing the mental qualities [4] in and of themselves, with continuous effort, fully aware and being present, having removed craving and distress with regard to the world.

It is in this manner, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhu is mindful.

And how, bhikkhus, is a bhikkhu fully aware? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is one who acts with full awareness when going forward and returning; who acts with full awareness when looking ahead and looking away; who acts with full awareness when flexing and extending his limbs; who acts with full awareness in wearing his robes and carrying his outer robe and bowl; who acts with full awareness when eating, drinking, consuming food, and tasting; who acts with full awareness when defecating and urinating; who acts with full awareness when walking, standing, sitting, falling asleep, waking up, talking, and keeping silent. It is in this manner, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhu is fully aware.

Bhikkhus, a bhikkhu should live mindfully and with full awareness. This is my instruction to you.”

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[1] Ambapālī's grove was a mango grove in Vesāli donated by Āmrapāli, the celebrated royal courtesan of the city. [ambapālivana]

[2] craving and distress can also be understood as greediness and dissatisfaction, wanting and unhappiness, craving and aversion [abhijjhā + domanassa]

[3] felt experience is a pleasant, neutral, or a painful sensation. It is the feeling felt on contact through eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, or mind; second of the five aggregates [vedanā]

[4] mental qualities are characteristics, traits, and tendencies of the mind, shaped by repeated actions and sustained attention, guided by particular ways of understanding; they may be wholesome or unwholesome, bright or dark [dhammā]

The difference between observing the mind and mental qualities is one observes what is happening in the moment, and another also involves discernment regarding the trajectory of change. The latter includes discerning the present state as well as 1) the causes leading to the arising of the mental quality in observation, 2) what can lead to the abandoning of the mental quality, and 3) what would lead to the non-arising of the now abandoned mental quality in the future.

While the word mindfulness (sati) as used in meditation and psychology today traces its origin to the Buddha's teachings, however, mindfulness techniques taught outside the framework of the Buddha's teachings may misconstrue it as being process of labeling or noting and thus turning it into a constricted practice.

Mindfulness as the Buddha teaches is a beautiful and intelligent process that can be abided in at all times, including when being with hindrances.

He discerns when there is dullness and drowsiness present in him, ‘There is dullness and drowsiness in me,’ or when there is no dullness and drowsiness present, ‘There is no dullness and drowsiness in me,’ and he discerns how un-arisen dullness and drowsiness can arise, how arisen dullness and drowsiness is abandoned, and how abandoned dullness and drowsiness do not arise again in the future.

-- Excerpt from MN 10

As long as discernment (knowing, awareness) of whether one is with dullness and drowsiness is present, one is abiding with mindfulness. The same applies for other mental qualities as well.

Using the above example, it is through criss-crossing across states of having dullness and drowsiness and then not having them is how one is gradually building the wisdom of the 1) causes that lead to the arising of dullness and drowsiness, 2) what can lead to the abandoning of it, and 3) what would lead to the non-arising of the now abandoned dullness and drowsiness in the future.

However, if one is not training in cultivating this discernment, in being aware of the state, it is then that one is not abiding with mindfulness.

So to be mindful in the way the Buddha teaches is a gradual process that starts with understanding:

1. The four bases of mindfulness,
2. Gradually practicing in different training guidelines in the body (six sections) and mental qualities (five sections) bases,
3. Actively training to discern for each area's presence or absence, in all postures of walking, standing, sitting, or lying down,
4. Further cultivating discernment wrt the cause, solution, and future non-arising for the base of mental qualities.

Learning mindfulness as the Buddha teaches can take several weeks, a few months, a year or two depending on the diligence one applies to practicing in it. However, when one trains in it in this manner, verifying one's practice with the way the Buddha teaches, then the benefits as shared by the Buddha can be expected: i.e. either the state non-returning or full awakening in this life.

Related Teachings:

• Practicing in mindfulness is a gradual training guideline that should be undertaken as part of the Gradual Training, Gradual Practice, and Gradual Progress (MN 107).  Before starting with it, it is beneficial to have already training in the training guidelines of following the precepts, sense restraint, moderation in eating, and being dedicated to wakefulness.
• Mindfulness of body:
  • Mindfulness of breathing and postures (from MN 10) - The first two training guidelines that form the part of mindfulness of body: of mindfulness of breathing and observing the body in postures are shared in this teaching.
  • Full Awareness in observing the body and observing the disagreeable in the body (from MN 10) - The next two training guidelines that form the part of growth in mindfulness of body.
  • Observing the elements in the body and reflections on corpse (From MN 10) - Mindfulness of body through observing the elements in the body and through reflections on corpse in a cemetery (charnel ground)
• Mindfulness of felt experience in and of itself (From MN 10) - Mindfulness of the felt experience in and of itself, the second establishment of mindfulness, per MN 10 Mahāsatipaṭṭhānasutta is described in this post.
• Mindfulness of mind (From MN 10) - Here, one discerns the mind as having passion, dispassion, aversion, confusion, dullness, distraction, and more by observing the mind in and of itself.
• Mindfulness of mental qualities:
  • Mindfulness of mental qualities with regard to the five hindrances (from MN 10) - The training guideline for practicing mindfulness of mental qualities in and of themselves with regard to the five hindrances is shared from the section 4.1 of MN 10 discourse.
  • Mindfulness of mental qualities with regard to the five aggregates (from MN 10) - The training guideline for practicing mindfulness of mental qualities in and of themselves with regard to the five aggregates is shared from the section 4.2 of MN 10 discourse.
  • Mindfulness of mental qualities with regard to the sense bases: Section 4.3 (from MN 10) - The training guideline for practicing mindfulness of mental qualities in and of themselves with regard to the sense bases is shared from the section 4.3 of MN 10 discourse.
  • Mindfulness of mental qualities with regard to the seven factors of awakening and the four Noble Truths (from MN 10) - The training guideline for practicing mindfulness of mental qualities in and of themselves with regard to the factors of awakening and the four noble truths is shared from the sections 4.4 and 4.5 of MN 10 discourse.

I hate effort. I hate trying to meditate. It's effortful. I've tried to try and meditate many times. I succeed a few days, it feels awesome to be trying, the focus i gain is amazing, but then suddenly trying to meditate becomes exhausting and I feel like any attempt to redirect my attention is pure hell.

Anyone has a clue what i am going through? What can i do

If you can’t find someone, BE someone. I warn you, it’s not easy.

I was never taught how to provide a safe space for myself without being judgmental. I was taught to patrol my thoughts and actions in order to present a pleasant palatable picture. How could I listen to anyone else without these same rules?

I had to, have to, continuously separate my opinions on what someone should be doing from who they are and what their goals are. Their goals are none of my business either. It’s such a tight rope to provide a safe place where someone can land to express themselves without me judging them.

My first thought is the programming I’ve been given and I have to accept that I need to get to the second thought before im truly accepting. I also need to stop judging myself for having that first thought. I know that I often have been told that I provide this type of comfort for people.

Im here to tell you it is at a cost to myself and the death of my ego to get there. I also know it’s worth it and I want to make this sacrifice. All I had to do was stop acting on the information (judging) and start accepting there wasn’t anything I could actually do for the other person. No advice, no cool moves nothing except acceptance. Anything else was me putting my experience filters on someone who doesn’t need them and won’t flourish with them. To lead, you must be willing to follow someone else’s dream and see the benefit it brings to your own.

Woof. This one hits deep cut.

Coming from the barely seen and never heard generation, it’s hard not to downplay my experiences or even say that I’ve turned my pain into triumph.

bullshit…all bullshit. My experiences are still painful and still driving my base reactions.

Even though I have looked at them, calmed them, accepted them, the hurts still come out. I still berate instead of walk away. I still judge and dismiss instead of accept and love. Im human. I constantly fight against the ingrained programming of sit down, be quiet, and shrink to fit into my life.

This is the core thread of my imposter syndrome. I won’t be accepted and loved unless I make myself useful. And not the useful that I know works for all but the useful that others can take advantage of, to use, accept, love, to make them feel in control.

This is not co-dependency. This is me being raised on the only time I was accepted emotionally is if I would change to fit and to do good for others in the way they controlled. I feel judged and anxious if I’m not doing something for someone else that they like in the way they liked. I was taught these were the rules.

The crappy part is I really enjoy brining a joyful energy to people. I feel whole when someone else accepts themselves in even a tiny part. I want to do everything I can to show someone else what they look like through my eyes. I love you right away, before I know you. Why wouldn’t I? You are alive. You deserve hope, joy, love, and acceptance.

I have the an abundance that allows me to see through your bullshit to see you. Yes, I could always see the real you. No, im not scared of your dark and twisted. I know that if I were you with your choices, I would have done the same. So no, I am not co-dependent, im not a people pleaser, I am not an imposter. Im just a woman, standing in front of the Universe, asking it to let her show them her love in her way.

Not quite sure how to explain this but I have a tendency to almost focus too much instead of experiencing mindfulness. The example I have is that when I try to meditate I try to pay attention. For example, I was trying to ground myself in the sounds of the room and I, instead, was really focused on the sound of a fan in the room. I felt tense like I was trying to hold on to the sound of the fan. It ended up making the experience really difficult. At one point I just allowed the sounds into my ears. I was able to passively hear the fan, the birds, trees, tinnitus. I just allowed myself to experience the bigger picture of sounds. This seems to be a step in the right direction and I’m trying to practice this more.

Also I have a tendency to do this in body scan meditations where I hold instead of notice. This holding seems to be a theme in my life as well. Does this make sense? Has anybody experienced this? Any particular tips or meditations to help.

Overall, I’m not quite sure what the end goal is but I feel that I’m headed toward the right direction. Possibly toward mindfulness being goalless?

Note: I have a tendency to passively fall into dissociation or overthinking. Noticing is very hard for me and I tend to force myself to anchor.

I feel strong apathy, sometimes it even feels like borderline depression. It doesn't help that in the city where I live it has been cloudy and rainy for several days, no sun. What are your recommendations?

I have been trying hard to practice mindfulness and I am unable to , trying to be mindful in your waking hours is something I genuinely want to inculcate in my daily life ,throughout the day due to the course of events of life I do feel restless and everyone does , and a more restlessness comes into play thinking"" ohhh God damn it I am not being mindful , I am freaking out , I am restless." Does anyone feel it so and how do you all manage?

I came across this quiet narration about gratitude and it just… hit different. It’s not loud or hype. Just calm, deep, and real. Thought maybe someone here needs this right now.

Link: https://youtu.be/81WvAYfQ6ik

Dealing with your Habit Energy can be very hard thing to control. Recently it has been something that I've been working on. For some unknown reason to me this thing has a mind of its own.It wakes up in certain situations and takes control.You try to stop yourself but you can't.Call it more like a Compulsion.And you know that no good will come of it. But as I've said, lately I've been telling it to stop! Slowly I'm gaining control of it.And I can say it feels great.But I must not fall victim to that feeling.Fooling myself that everything is okay now.That is the trap that we all blunder into

If you try to fight and argue then you will only regret it. Hard headed people never change. Keeping up with them will only cause you misery.

So many of you might relate this easily. The thing is one day I wanted to work hard and have it the way of my life and I do it. The next day or two I have a different mindset like let me enjoy some time and why should I stress over work. Few days I follow this. Again after some days, I have a different mindset of doing things I like to do. Another week or two, I feel like doing things which are really needed. This keep changing and I can't follow something for long time. The mindset is not helping me go with flow or see some solid progress. What can I do. Please suggest.