Meditation or mindfulness: what is the difference?
The two words get used as if they mean the same thing, and you just want to know.
Meditation is a set-aside time when you train your attention. Mindfulness (paying attention to what is happening now, kindly) can be done while sitting or while doing the washing up. The two overlap, so the words get mixed up.
You do not need to settle the argument to start. Choose one, try it for a few days, and see how it feels.
How do meditation and mindfulness overlap?
The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) describes mindfulness as a form of meditation centred on staying aware of the present moment without judging it1.
The UK National Health Service (NHS) puts it in everyday language: mindfulness is paying attention to what is going on inside and outside ourselves, moment by moment2. So mindfulness sits inside the wider family of meditation, and it also spills into ordinary life.
Where do they feel different?
Meditation has a clear start and end. You sit, you set aside a few minutes, and you rest your attention on one thing.
Mindfulness has no edges. You can taste the first mouthful of nasi lemak, feel your feet on the floor at the LRT (Light Rail Transit) station, or notice that your jaw is tight in a meeting. Nothing needs to be set up.
Which one should I try first?
Use this simple side by side:
- Pick a short sit if you like structure, a timer and a clear finish.
- Pick a mindful moment if sitting still feels hard or you have no spare minutes.
- Pick a guided session if you want someone else to lead the attention.
- Pick a silent session if you prefer your own pace.
There is no wrong order. Some people begin with one and later add the other.
Try this: one mindful sip
You can do this with the first drink of the morning, in under a minute.
- Hold the cup and feel its warmth in your hands.
- Take one sip slowly. Notice smell, taste and temperature.
- When your mind jumps to the day ahead, say “planning” and return to the next sip.
- Finish the cup with your attention on it for as long as you can.
This is mindfulness. Do the same thing for two minutes with your eyes closed, resting on your breath, and it becomes a short meditation.
Fitting it into a real day
On a school-run morning, practise mindful noticing while the kettle boils. In a long Federal Highway jam, feel your hands on the wheel and your back on the seat. Save a seated sit for the quieter pockets, such as lunch or after the children are asleep.
If a practice brings up distress, dizziness or painful memories, it is fine to stop. A doctor or counsellor can help, and our support page shows where to start.
Where next?
For a plain definition of the basics, read what meditation is. To explore noticing in daily life, see what mindfulness is. If you want a free timer for a short sit, use the meditation timer.
You can also compare guided and unguided meditation, or return to the meditation for beginners hub.
To feel the difference yourself, a short guided sit with Sadhguru lets you try the seated side while you carry the noticing into your day.
Common questions
Is mindfulness a type of meditation?
It can be. Health bodies such as NCCIH describe mindfulness as a form of meditation. But the word is also used for noticing moments in ordinary life, like tasting your first sip of kopi. So it is both a practice you sit for and a habit you carry around.
Which should a beginner try first?
Try whichever sounds easier today. If sitting still feels hard, start with a mindful minute while walking or washing up. If you like a clear start and end, try a short seated session. You can swap at any time.
Do I need to be mindful all day?
No. That is an unrealistic goal and it creates pressure. Pick one small activity, such as brushing your teeth or waiting for the lift, and give it your full attention. A single moment of noticing counts.
Can I do both?
Yes, and they support each other. A short sit can make it easier to notice your day, and noticing your day can make a sit feel less strange. Some people do a short sit in the morning and a few mindful moments later.
Sources
- NCCIH describes mindfulness as a form of meditation centred on staying aware of the present moment without judging it. NCCIH, US National Institutes of Health
- The NHS describes mindfulness as paying attention to what is going on inside and outside ourselves, moment by moment. NHS
Read next
To feel the difference yourself, a short guided sit with Sadhguru lets you try the seated side while you carry the noticing into your day.