Getting Started With Meditation

Meditation is a simple practice but it isn’t easy, and it’s especially helpful to have a structured program in which to learn the fundamentals. At Berkeley Law, we offer students opportunities to get a solid grounding in meditation practice through our two mindfulness in law courses.

For others, we recommend looking into Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction programs in your area, or else a residential retreat of a week or ten days at a respected meditation center (e.g. Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Fairfax, CA; Insight Meditation Center in Barre, MA; any of the International Vipassana Society Centers or Shambhala Centers, just to name a few).

It’s also possible to start by practicing on your own with the help of a few basic tools, such as guided recordings and a meditation timer (like Insight Timer). But the support of an experienced teacher and/or a meditation center are invaluable in getting started.

Recommended reading:

  • Kabat-Zinn, Jon. Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life.
  • Hanh, Thich Nhat. The Miracle of Mindfulness.
  • Gunaratana, Henepola. Mindfulness in Plain English.
Audio recordings: