[2bitencryption]

A few years ago I tried the very first Headspace meditation courses, back when Headspace was pretty new.

It was great! I loved it. I really felt like the narrator was knowledgeable and had something to teach me. His explanations for the process actually made sense, and weren't woo-woo mumbo jumbo. Perhaps it is all placebo effect, but even if so, the effect worked for me perfectly.

The problem is, as the industry exploded, it became harder and harder to find meditation guides that have that quality.

Even on Headspace, which I used to love, there's only so much they could provide, before the demand necessitated putting out meditation guides that are more and more ridiculous ("meditation for doing the dishes", "meditation for walking the dog", etc).

And I haven't found any guides that help me to the degree that the original Headspace ones did. Would love it if anyone has any recommendations.

(of course, you might say "you don't need a guide once you know how to do it", but personally I find it really hard without some recorded guide helping me along)

[dimal]

If you find it hard without some recorded guide helping you along, that’s exactly why you should consider meditating without a guide. Guided meditation is like riding a bike with training wheels. You don’t fall, but you’re not really riding a bike.

You learn to meditate by trying and failing over and over, and in the process you learn your own mind. You learn all its tricks. And that’s the point. It can suck for a long time. It can be a grind. But eventually, you stabilize.

[oatmeal1]

I use the Headspace guided meditation (30 mins) 2-3 times every day. Did that not work for you? It's amazing how hard they make it just to find the basic guided meditation. Not pushing anything spiritual or ways of thinking the guide prefers. Just experiencing the present.

[fredrikholm]

Waking Up by Sam Harris.

It's more insight than mindfulness, but remains secular. Loads of content from big names.

Highly recommended.

[dlivingston]

Seconded. I'm working through the month-long Introductory Course currently. Waking Up strikes me as much more technical than apps like Headspace, which really resonates with me.

[yldedly]

The Brightmind app is excellent, and you can adjust the duration of the guided meditations.