Free Online Meditation Resources for Times of Social Distancing / COVID-19
As each of us faces a unique set of challenges related to COVID-19, it’s our hope to be supportive to you in the coming days and weeks as a source for inspiration, practices, and community connection.
There are a lot of free teachings, practices, and other resources being shared online by compassionate teachers and organizations. Here, we aim to keep an updated list for you.
May you find all the forms of support that you need to take care of yourself, your loved ones, and your community.
Free Mindfulness Resources to Find Calm and Nourish Resilience During the COVID Outbreak — Mindful
Whether you’re looking for live guided meditations connecting you to others, a quick practice to help you find your ground, or a free course on how to meditate, here’s how the Mindful community is coming together to serve during this time.
Resilience in Challenging Times, A Care Package — Sounds True
Video sessions, webinars, group meditations & meetups, and other free digital resources.
Recorded Online Practice Sessions — Tricycle
During the early days of the pandemic, Tricycle hosted live meditations with teachers such as Jack Kornfield, Pema Chödrön, Sharon Salzberg, and others to help ease anxiety. Recordings of all of these sessions, and many more, are available on Tricycle’s YouTube channel. Tricycle has also created a series of short practices and other relevant resources.
Daily Mindfulness and Compassion Meditations — The UCSD Center for Mindfulness, The Sanford Institute for Empathy and Compassion, and Compassion Institute
Daily live streams and recordings of mindfulness and compassion sessions and other online resources.
Meditate Together — Mindful Leader
Free 30 minute drop-in online group meditation sessions, on the hour, 24 hours a day, every weekday from Monday to Friday.
Transforming Obstacle into Opportunity — Tricycle / Andrew Holecek
A special online workshop led by Andrew Holecek in response to the coronavirus pandemic, by donation. This series on Transforming Obstacle into Opportunity will help you understand what’s happening in the world—and within yourself—and how to bring it onto the spiritual path. The bardo teachings help us work with our mind when forced to “shelter within.” They help us transform contraction into openness and replace defensive reactivity with kindness.
Being Resilient During Coronavirus — Dr. Rick Hanson
A short video message, guided practice, 45 minute podcast episode, weekly Live sessions, and other resources. Dr. Hanson also offered a meditation and talk specifically for healthcare professionals, which you can watch here and here.
Guide to Well-Being During Coronavirus — Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley
Practices, resources, and articles for individuals, parents, and educators facing COVID-19.
Practicing in a Pandemic — Tricycle
Six new practices, plus a live talk series, and other timely resources for Buddhist practitioners.
Free Resources for the Global Health Crisis — Shambhala Publications
Free ebooks, an online course, and lots of free videos from Shambhala Pubs authors, including Pema Chödrön. Plus an updated calendar featuring a variety of online events, talks, and retreats is posted here.
Daily Free Live-Online Community Practice — Cambridge Health Alliance Center for Mindfulness and Compassion
Over 20 CMC teachers are coming together to offer sessions in mindful movement; bringing kindness to our stress, anxiety, grief and fear; supporting caregiving during this difficult time, and expressing appreciation and love for each other. In addition to the daily live sessions, there are a number of audio recordings.
Coronavirus Sanity Guide — Dan Harris / Ten Percent Happier
Daily live practice sessions w/ Q&A, plus podcasts, blog posts, meditations and talks.
Pandemic Care Resources — Tara Brach
A wealth of talks and guided practices, including some specific to the pandemic, as well as a free half-day home retreat. Tara also leads a weekly class each Wednesday night at 7:30 eastern time live on Facebook and Youtube.
Responding Wisely to Coronavirus — Wisdom Labs
Offered free for the next 90 days, an app including lessons and practices to navigate fear and anxiety, and a virtual community platform featuring a weekly 30-minute gathering for social connection and skill-building to navigate the COVID-19 crisis.
How to Work with Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic — NICABM
Three therapists share ways to help clients reduce anxiety and find some relief from ruminating thoughts.
Healthy Minds Program – Free Mindfulness App — Dr. Richard Davidson / Center for Healthy Minds
Neuroscience-backed meditation app / training program. By donation.
10 Days of Happiness — Action for Happiness
A free 10-day online coaching program which guides you through daily actions for happier living. “The Covid-19 pandemic brings big challenges for our mental health, whether you’re isolating at home or trying to live with the new restrictions. This program can help you cope and find a little more happiness in these difficult times.”
Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche message on COVID-19 outbreak — Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche
Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche shares his thoughts on the coronavirus outbreak around the world and offers an inspiring message to all those learning to live with awareness, compassion, and wisdom.
Creating a Home Retreat: Finding Freedom Wherever You Are — Tara Brach
A heartfelt message from Tara Brach in response to the coronavirus pandemic, guidelines and advice for creating a home retreat, and a link to a free half-day program (below)
Free Half-Day At-Home Mindfulness Retreat — Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield / Sounds True
The material is divided into three segments of approximately 45 minutes each. With the scheduled breaks and walking meditation sessions, you will need a little more than three hours to complete this retreat.
Mindfulness Daily — Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield / Sounds True
A free 40-day mindfulness course led by Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield. Each session is 15 minutes or less, and includes a short talk and guided meditation, as well as instructions for bringing your practice alive throughout the day.
Guided Compassion Meditation For Anxiety — Ethan Nichtern
A practice and contemplation about what you can do for yourself and others during this time of pandemic and social distancing.
Daily Live Online Group Meditation — Mind Oasis
The nonprofit Mind Oasis (MindOasis.org) has opened all Community Meditation sessions to the public for free, at least through June. Community Meditation sessions are live, friendly and led by meditation guides, and happen every weekday at 7, 8, 9, and 10 am ET; Saturday and Sunday at 9 am ET; and Tuesday and Thursday at 9 pm ET.
Free Mindfulness Apps Worthy of Your Attention — Mindful
Recommendations and reviews of five free meditation apps.
Let us know if there’s anything we haven’t included here yet that you’re finding helpful!
Travis Newbill earned his MFA in creative writing and poetics from the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics at Naropa University. He is the author of many poems & innumerable sentences for The Awake Network which all basically say the same thing: I hope this helps. Travis lives in Santa Cruz.
Thank you! I want to share useful information with everyone who often experiences stress. Surely you have heard a lot about the benefits of medical cannabis for the human nervous system. Therefore, I advise you to go here https://westcoastsupply.cc/product/pink-tuna/ to learn more about using the pink tuna strain and you might want to try it. Of course, the use of a strain requires a strict dosage, and you can get this information from an online consultant.
Good post guys!
https://us.calmerry.com/text-therapy/
Good post guys!
Hi,
We run free online Meditation Sessions through the Meetup platform. I can share the link. If anyone is interested please join us for free.
https://www.meetup.com/meetup-group-yolwurwm/events/282052720?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=share-btn_savedevents_share_modal&utm_source=link
Thanks
My sister wants to apply for some online meditation classes to reduce her anxiety. I agree that this pandemic is socially isolating and this in turn can affect our mental health negatively. Thanks for the list on online free medications and I will share your blog with my sister!
Hi,
Would you please add us to the list? We have made some great pieces of advice for social distancing including meditations and well-being tips.
You can find our article over here : https://mindtastik.com/10-tips-to-help-you-stay-calm-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/
Thanks in advance!
Very Good! Thank you for these resources. You might want to consider adding Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, daily zoom meditations and great talks by Gil Fronsdal and others. Their retreat center, Insight Retreat Center, is in Scotts Valley…near Santa Cruz. Thanks again. Terrance Wolf
This is a great resource for employers as well. The last year has been stressful and hard for a lot of people, and it’s definitely affected the workplace. Employers can really help take a more proactive role in promoting wellness and mindfulness with their employees. It helps employees feel cared for and benefits them, all while making them better at their work. I’ll definitely take a deeper dive into each of these and see if there’s ways we can integrate them into the work we do with different businesses.
hii
this is amazing information
thank you so much for sharing this information.
SHAMBHAVI MAHAMUDRA
This is an amazing collection. I’m looking for a long covid meditation. Anything out there? many thanks
The quality of the product is good and statisfied.
Can’t connect to Mindfulness for Challenging times. Never received a password. Just an ID. For Monday at 3:30. ID was 98444592204.
Thank you. Gladys Diener
Hi there, there is also another site for free online meditation everyday. A total of 8 different free meditation classes held on a weekly basis. Free RSVPs at onlinemeditationevents.com
Hi. forgot the ones from the center for mindful self compassion. they offer live guided self compassion meditations 4x daily.
based on the work of germer and neff.
Hi, I am the lead developer and designer of a new platform which offers free Zoom meditations every Tuesday and Saturday. There’s a full list of meditations available on the site, and they are all displayed in your local time. It’s called Manifest Nirvana, I hope that some of you will find it useful: https://www.manifest-nirvana.com
I have explained the emotional state of Dhamma in each step. Reasonably detailed in which the practitioner knows that himself Where and How to practice? If any practitioner stuck somewhere in practice. Can write a question (Facebook at below). I will explain it to you. With suggestions Which I see that. If someone has recommended the right way will not waste time practicing.
Thanks, admin permission. (Phra Chaiwat Chayawatno Phickhu)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GU2vktq-BA
thanks for this list
Hello! Thank you for this list it is immensely helpful. I found a twitch stream that has meditation sessions twice a day along with open conversations. It has helped me stay grounded during this quarantine and feel supported. Please check it out if you have a second. The entire program is also run by this non-profit youth foundation and the people that help run it are amazing. There is one girl who has a long fight against depression after her brother got shot due to gang violence and her mom overdosed a few years after. She tried taking her life several times and ended up in the hospital, but is now with this foundation and helping run their program. Her story is incredible. They also do these longer streams on Thursdays and I learn a lot from them as well. Anyway, here is the link, they have a schedule if you scroll down on their page: https://www.twitch.tv/inspirehouse
Not sure if this qualifies but there is a Taoist teacher offering a free daily practice series for the next three months. https://sunshendailypractice.thinkific.com/courses/sunshendailypractice?ref=bd1110&coupon=moreenergy
This is a fantastic resource! Thank you very much for sharing it!
Travis,
As a school psychologist practicing in a state where schools are closed through the end of this school year, I appreciate the many resources you have provided. Reaching out to my students during this time is my primary focus, as well as my own self-care.
Thank you for sharing the riches of resources!
Barbara
Hi Barbara, sorry I missed this comment until now! I want to give you a heads up that we’ve put together a list specific to educators that you may want to check out as well: https://www.theawakenetwork.com/updated-list-free-online-resources-for-educators-parents-and-kids/
Thanks for compiling this list!
You are providing a valuable service. Much thanks.
You’re welcome. Thanks for the note, Ellen.
Thank you so much for your generosity and kindness. I could not be more grateful.
You’re welcome.
Inspiring generosity – thank you so much for sharing and making it happen 🙏❣️
Gladly. Thanks so much for the note.
Thank Kaliegh for your generosity sharing these resources. A very comprehensive list and I want you to know how very grateful I am.
Thank you for saying so!
Thank you for such a concise listing!
Namaste
Sharon
You’re welcome. Namaste—
Your generosity of sharing these valuable resources is greatly appreciated!
Thank you for this list. I am grateful to have so many resources for support but was feeling overwhelmed by the random and sometimes repetitive emails and posts . This list is organized and looks comprehensive. 🙏
Right, I know how you feel. Glad this is well received, Arpita.
Dear Kaleigh, I would like to make a small offering for the 4 days sessions (The Awake Network/Mindful Livin Summit) I attend, from March 20th.
Please let me know how to do this.
Thank you and best to you.
Soheyla
This is fantastic! 😁 It is great to see people coming together to help each other- especially now!
Indeed!
THANK YOU!
Thank you for this great list. I will use it
Glad to hear it. You’re very welcome!
So generous of you to put this list of free resources together for all of us who are trying to stay grounded in these challenging times. Namaste from Dundalk, Ireland
Thank you for the note, Karen. Namaste—
Thanks for these 🙂
You’re welcome (-8
This is wonderful! Many, many thanks 🙏
You’re welcome, Cristine 🙏
Thank you for this wonderful list! I also loved this article:
https://www.pjsweeney.com/adventure-hub/what-you-can-do-about-the-mental-health-impact-of-coronavirus And he offers also virtual webinars for organizations
Thanks for adding that, Christen
An incredible list. This generosity is greatly appreciated.
Blessings,
Enrique
Thank you, Enrique
What amazing generosity!! Much gratitude to you, Travis!
Thank you for the kind note, Lynn!
Thank you so much. I’ll be sharing with my friends.
Blessings,
Martha
You’re very welcome, Martha. I hope your friends find it helpful.
Thank you. Professional sharing and collaboration is such a hopeful generous kindness!!
Agreed. Thanks for the note, John.
Thank you, I have added the web link to this list to my resources’ list for parents.
Oh good. You’re very welcome, Egle.
Free 1 year subscription to Brightmind – Shinzen Young Meditation App
https://www.brightmind.com/selfcare
Gratitude
Natalie
Thank you! I just shared this list on social media. Much appreciated!
Thanks, Samantha. May it help many!
Sangha Live has two online daily practice sessions guided, with. Dharma talk , as well as their regular Sunday afternoon sessions . The teaching has been wonderful.
I’m offering recorded guided meditations in my Facebook group. The first of a series will be available from w/b 30 March 2020. Search Mindful Life: Relax into Calm.
Thank you for compiling this list – a great contribution.
Stay well, stay safe and stay home,
Ian
Thank you! Such a gift.
You’re welcome, Jenny. Thanks for the kind note!
Thank you so much for these resources. I have been using them to help me maintain energy, keep perspective and share love and gratitude where I am.
With gratitude
Kathy
Glad to hear it, Kathy. Good wishes to you!
Thank you for this list!
You’re welcome!
Hello there, I am also offering free online Kundalini meditations. Is this a space I can let people know about these teachings.
Many thanks
Soreya
Hi Soreya, sure! Please post a link here in the comments thread.
Warmly,
Travis