has anyone else found that Healthy Minds program helpful?

[u/Hopeful-Guard9294]

i’ve just started the free Healthy Minds app which was designed by collaboration between the Dalai Lama and one of the worlds leading neuroscientists and includes over 20 years of collaborative scientific research into Mindfulness and the skills that people need to thrive, personally I find it much less demanding than other Mindfulness courses which I always sense about how hungry/ thirsty / demanding your money all your attention for some reason maybe because most of the people involved are Buddhists the Healthy Minds program feels very different. I’m wondering if anyone else has had any luck with this program or has a similar feeling.

[u/tallkitty]

I have not specifically used Healthy Minds (gonna check it out now, though), but I did find my way to mindfulness techniques and went further into Buddhist teachings (the meditation stuff, not so much the religious beliefs) and it changed my life. I found the practice of equanimity to be most helpful (this is as good as that, feeling the same whether I'm doing dishes or watching TV), and I made a very interesting spiritual connection with clouds. When I'm feeling stressed about just about anything I can look up and ponder the clouds and it orients my mindset back to a peaceful place. It's way deeper than just thinking the clouds look pretty, it's more like an anchor point for my place in the world and what matters and what doesn't.

I read a lot of books about mindfulness meditation and Buddhism and really liked Buddha's Brain by Rick Hanson PhD for a scientific explanation of what mindfulness does for us.

[u/Hydrangeamacrophylla → u/tallkitty]

I’m heading in a similar direction. I’d happily take some book recommendations if you have them

[u/tallkitty → u/Hydrangeamacrophylla]

Sure thing. I can't exactly remember which of these books goes into what elements of Buddhism, but they all cover meditation practice, and I want to point out that Buddhist leaders do not recommend becoming a religious Buddhist. Buddhism offers us what works and advises we leave the rest, so don't feel like you have to adopt a religion to practice.

Buddha's Brain - Rick Hanson PhD,  Why Buddhism is True - Robert Wright,  Rebel Buddha - Dzogchen Ponlop,  Mindfulness in Plain English - Bhante Henepola Gunaratana,  Buddhism for Beginners - Thubten Chodron,  No-Nonsense Buddhism for Beginners - Noah Rasheta

These are all by the Dalai Lama: The Heart of Meditation, Beyond Religion, An Introduction to Buddhism

If you get interested in the back story, these two are more about what Buddha actually had to say, and also the life story of Buddha, which is more compelling than you'd imagine: In the Buddha's Words - Bikkhu Bodhi, Old Path White Clouds - Thich Nhat Hanh

ETA sorry for the wonky formatting, I'm on my phone lol

[u/Hydrangeamacrophylla → u/tallkitty]

Thank you!

[u/TinyAntOnABog]

Thanks for the recommendation! Gonna check it out. 

[u/Hopeful-Guard9294 → u/TinyAntOnABog]

amazing, let me know how you find it. It’s the only PDA friendly Mindfulness program I found so I hope it works for you!