Thought-Provoking Videos About Mindfulness and Meditation
published 2/17/19; updated 7/17/22
by Catharine Hannay, founder of MindfulTeachers.org
Continuing the popular series of Video Playlists for Teachers and Teacher Trainers, here are brief (5-15 minute) videos exploring mindfulness and meditation from different points of view. You might not agree with all of these perspectives; I've chosen them because of their potential to spark thoughtful discussion.
Teachers, please note: With such a multicultural audience teaching young children through adults, I can’t guarantee that all of the videos will be appropriate for your particular context. I’ve put brief descriptions to help you choose, but please preview anything you plan to share with your students.
Benefits of Mindfulness and Meditation
Emerson College Meditations at St. Francis House
(5 minutes)
Emerson College students and Campus Chaplain bring meditation to residents of St. Francis House, New England's largest day shelter.
A School Counselor on Why Mindfulness Matters
(2 minutes)
This is from Peace in Schools' series of videos with adults and youth talking about the benefits of mindfulness.
The Seed of Mindfulness: Growing Mindful Communities
(includes ASL interpretation)
(12 minutes)
Mindfulness teacher Jerry Braza discusses how paying attention can lead to personal transformation, and how anything and anyone can be used as a 'mindfulness bell' to help us focus on the present moment and connect with each other.
How to Bring Mindfulness Into Your Relationships
(2 minutes)
Susan Piver explains how projection impacts the way we typically relate to others.
Mindfulness in Different Spiritual Traditions
(3 minutes)
Rabbi Yael Levy explains how "learning from the Torah, sitting and meditating with Psalms, and being attentive and present to the cycles of Jewish time, can calm the mind and direct the heart to action."
(7 minutes)
'Thirsty Soul,' a young woman from the UK, shares how mindfulness has helped her deen(religious practice).
Jesus and Buddha: Practicing Across Traditions
(3 minutes)
official trailer: “Three leading figures in today's Buddhist-Christian dialogue share their personal journeys.” (The preview video is no longer available on youtube; you can see it at https://www.gaia.com/video/jesus-buddha-practicing-across-traditions—click on “Preview” in upper right-hand corner)
The Controversy: Secular Mindfulness -vs- Buddhism
(You may need to turn the volume way up for this recording.)
(5 minutes)
Buddhist teacher Ronya Banks discusses the benefits of mindfulness practice for both Buddhists and non-Buddhists.
Mindfulness is Powerful, But Keep Religion Out of It
(7 minutes)
Sam Harris argues that stress reduction isn't the most important part of secular mindfulness. Starting at 3:45, he argues that western Buddhist mindfulness teachers could be contributing to religious sectarianism. (Don't freak out until actually listening to him. You may not agree, but he presents a thought-provoking perspective.)
Mindful Meditation | Hindu Academy
(2 1/2 minutes)
Jay Lakhani considers mindfulness a shortcut to the teachings of Patanjali (author of the Yoga Sutras), but he believes this shortcut might be more appropriate than the traditional teachings to the world we live in today. (As with the previous video, you may not agree but it’s a thought-provoking perspective.)
Negative Effects of Meditation
(6 minutes)
Dr. Willoughby Britton and Michael Stone believe that researchers and meditation teachers should be more aware of the possible challenges and adverse effects of meditation, especially when it's taken out of its traditional context.
To End on a Lighter Note…
Mindfulness and Meditation Humor
Mindfulness Meditation in 'The Big Bang Theory'
(1 minute)
The characters don't seem too enthusiastic about it, but this is actually a good explanation of mindful dish washing.
Memorable Monologue: Meditate on It
(3-1/2 minutes)
Ellen DeGeneres finds it easier to meditate in a group... or maybe not.
(2 minutes)
Ajahn Brahm describes what happened to a zookeeper when he got home after a 9-day retreat.
(2 minutes)
This is an audiorecording by Rebekah Ladyne of a classic Zen story. There's a written version of the same story available at Buddha Groove.
How to Be More Addicted to Your Phone
(4 minutes)
In this satirical video, JP Sears earnestly explains why it's important to be in a constant state of distraction, looking at our electronic devices rather than experiencing our own thoughts and our own lives.
"When you're encountering something wonderful, it can't bring you joy unless you hold your phone between you and it, to transfer it to your social media. Once it's on your social media, you can see other people seeing you seeing something wonderful, and that'll bring you real joy."
Related Posts
There are many more video playlists and other thought-provoking resources on mindfulness here at MindfulTeachers.org, including the following posts: