Can music or apps assist beginner meditation?
Written by
Tran Quang
Reviewed by
Prof. William Dalton, Ph.D.Music and apps can provide excellent support for new meditators. The guidance provided by these sessions offers a beneficial structure for early practice sessions, which I recommend to students beginning to meditate. The sounds of nature serve as a masking device for distracting sounds, which makes it easier for the mind to concentrate during the early meditations themselves.
App Features
- Timers with gentle interval bells
- Voice guidance for technique instruction
- Progress tracking visualizations
Sound Types
- Nature recordings like rain or forests
- Binaural beats for brainwave entrainment
- Simple instrumental tones without lyrics
Moving towards independent practice is an important aspect of the process. Apps can serve as useful crutches in the beginning. I generally phase one out with another tool within four weeks. Your inner focus muscles are getting a workout without outside support. This will ultimately create a lasting skill through meditation over time.
Personalize your approach to assistance. Some students prefer complete silence immediately. Others benefit from months of guidance. I adjust recommendations individually. Your needs determine the ideal transition schedule.
Notice when tools become dependencies. If silence creates anxiety, begin to reduce it gradually. I would recommend alternating days using apps and days without apps. You are building confidence in your abilities. This then creates a more sustainable practice where you are independent from the apps.
Read the full article: 10 Meditation Techniques for Beginners
