Ira Israel

Ira Israel is a Licensed Counselor and Psychotherapist who has been in private practice for over 14 years. He specializes in teaching others about happiness and authenticity. Ira teaches sold-out Happiness and Authenticity workshops at Esalen Institute and Kripalu Center and has written over 400 articles on psychology, philosophy, Buddhism, yoga, film, art, music & literature for The Huffington Post, Good Men Project, Mind Body Green, Thrive Global, and Medium. Ira is also the author of How to Survive Your Childhood Now That You’re an Adult: A Path to Authenticity and Awakening. He attended The University of Pennsylvania and has graduate degrees in Psychology, Philosophy, and Religious Studies.

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How long should I meditate?
I recommend starting with a very low number. It's good to be an underachiever because mindfulness practice, essentially, is the most difficult thing you'll ever do. Your mind is built to wander, so just sit with your spine erect, your chin level, and your jaw unclenched for two minutes in the morning. Concentrate on your breath, or on an image, or do a body scan.

Meditation can be extremely difficult, particularly in the society that we live in where we're continuously overstimulated. When you're starting any sort of practice, choose a meditation style that works for you. And then over time, try some new meditations and also increase the time you spend meditating.

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