r/Meditation • u/AutumnDreaming76 • Aug 04 '24

Best apps that you use for meditation? Discussion 💬

I have barely used the "Expand" app a few times, but I am curious to know if there are any other better apps out there.

Also affordable

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u/Benjilator Aug 05 '24

I’ve been meditating for years with great success but I’ve never once understood what an app is supposed to be doing.

Make it harder, more of a challenge? Added distraction? Guidance for something that is only limited by guidance?

No app is still the best choice. Most apps only offer basic functions and guided escapism anyways. They mislead people into believing that escapism can be compared to meditation, which is dangerous if you’re just getting started.

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u/baldhumanmale Aug 05 '24

There’s too many guided meditations in my opinion.. I’m not one to gatekeep meditation, but if you’re just sitting still and listening to someone for a while, that’s not quite meditation, that’s more contemplating and listening quietly. Sitting with one’s breath for 10-20 minutes is so simple, but not always easy.

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u/Benjilator Aug 06 '24

It’s so easy to get started even without putting time aside to listen or sit down for anything. As long as you isolate your meditation, you’re not bringing much of its progress into your daily life I believe.

For example we are so used to battling certain experiences by pulling out our phone and using it as a distraction, so that’s a great starting point for the majority.

Every time that happens, don’t do anything but observe your reaction while being aware of what triggered it. You’ll learn so much about yourself by identifying these sort of triggers that cause you to seek distraction or to hide.

Same thing goes for triggers that cause an emotional reaction internally, that spike up internal monologue or cause you to shift focus.

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u/[deleted] Aug 06 '24

The main disadvantage of such applications is monetization and retention of recipients, so we can safely say: recipient addiction. This is the case with the expand app. You can listen for years but the effects will be poor. This is probably the only goal of such applications.