Align Your Mind and Body Comfortably with Mindfulness and Meditation

It has been scientifically proven that mindfulness and meditation offer various benefits, such as reducing stress and improving sleep quality.

The basic practice of mindfulness and meditation involves focusing on your breath and staying present in "this very moment." However, with our busy daily lives, finding time for it can be challenging.

The good news is that mindfulness and meditation can be easily incorporated into everyday activities. By paying a little more attention to actions like walking, eating, or washing your hands, you can cultivate the ability to stay present in the moment.

In this article, we will introduce a video from the "Relax/Sleep" section of the meditation app GASSHO, which helps guide you into a mindful state.

What is Mindfulness?

According to the Japan Mindfulness Society, mindfulness is defined as "intentionally bringing awareness to the experience of the present moment, observing it without judgment or attachment." It is a state of being fully focused on what is in front of you, without overthinking.

For example, instead of simply drinking tea or coffee, you engage all your senses—paying attention to the color, aroma, temperature, and the sensation of the liquid passing down your throat.

What is Meditation?

Meditation is defined as "calming the mind to achieve a state of emptiness, relaxing without thinking about anything, praying to a higher power, concentrating on something, or quietly reflecting with closed eyes."

While mindfulness and meditation may seem similar, their purposes differ. Mindfulness aims to improve concentration, enhance work efficiency, and regulate emotions like anger and frustration, bringing tangible benefits to daily life. Meditation, on the other hand, focuses on easing mental tension and promoting relaxation.

Meditation App GASSHO

If you're interested in mindfulness and meditation but don’t know where to start, or if you feel hesitant about joining a workshop with strangers, you’re not alone. Taking the first step can be challenging.

The meditation app GASSHO is designed to help you get started with meditation at home, comfortably and without pressure. It offers short sessions that help reduce stress and improve mental well-being. The app features content created in collaboration with temples across Japan, allowing users to listen to teachings from revered monks at world-renowned heritage temples.

Now, let’s take a closer look at one of GASSHO’s key content categories: relaxation and sleep.

Relaxation and sleep

In the relaxation and sleep section of the GASSHO app, you can watch a rare video of a traditional Buddhist service held at Kongosanmai-in Temple in Wakayama, Japan.

As the video begins, you’re immediately captivated by the shimmering Buddhist artifacts. Normally, religious services are viewed from behind, but in this video, you can see the service from the front, including the expressions of the leading monk. At one point, the monk even glances at the camera, creating a warm and personal moment.

The video offers a rare glimpse into the intricate rituals performed before the service begins, such as how prayer beads are handled and the precise movements of the hands. These small details, along with the solemn atmosphere, draw you in and enhance your focus.

Even if you don’t understand each word of the sutras being chanted, simply listening, watching the flickering incense smoke, or concentrating on a single focal point can help you achieve a deep sense of mindfulness. After watching, I felt as though my mind had been completely refreshed.

Focusing on this moment

A 2005 study by the U.S. National Science Foundation found that humans have between 12,000 and 60,000 thoughts per day. Astonishingly, about 90% of these thoughts are the same as the previous day's, and 80% tend to be negative.

While we live in an era where information is easily accessible, many people struggle with unnecessary distractions and increased stress. To calm our overactive minds and create moments of stillness, mindfulness and meditation can be highly effective.

After watching the Buddhist service on GASSHO, I realized my mind felt clearer, likely because I had unconsciously focused on the flickering candlelight and the soothing chants without thinking about anything else.

The benefits of listening to sutras

What are the benefits of listening to Buddhist sutras? It is believed that not only those who chant the sutras but also those who listen to them receive spiritual benefits. Have you ever found yourself feeling drowsy while listening to sutras at a memorial service?

Research shows that listening to sutras increases alpha brain waves, promoting relaxation for both the mind and body. Studies also indicate that it can boost immunity and have positive effects on depression and sleep quality.

You can watch a portion of the relaxation and sleep video from Kongosanmai-in Temple right now through the link below. Let it help you unwind, ease your fatigue, and bring quiet clarity to your mind.

Cultivating a Mindful Life Through Focused Meditation with GASSHO

In this article, we introduced relaxation and sleep, one of the content offerings of the meditation app GASSHO. By focusing on the sound of chanting, watching the gentle flicker of candlelight, or observing the movement of incense smoke on the screen, you can immerse yourself in a calm and relaxed state while concentrating on a single focal point.

GASSHO was developed with great dedication, ensuring high-quality content that sets it apart from other meditation apps. Here are some unique features it offers:

・Rare video footage of temples that are not commonly made public
・Inspirational talks and casual discussions on spiritual well-being
・The ability to express gratitude by making offerings to temples

For those who may find it difficult to visit a temple in person due to various circumstances, GASSHO provides a way to experience the atmosphere of temple visits while also supporting mental health and relaxation.

Of course, mindfulness is not limited to meditation apps. It can also be practiced through breathing exercises, mindful eating, walking, and other daily activities. Find the mindfulness or meditation method that best suits your lifestyle.

If GASSHO can help improve your mental and physical well-being, allowing you to lead a more fulfilling life, nothing would bring us greater joy.

Thank you for reading.