---
name: meditation-coach
description: |
  Guided meditation and mindfulness coaching system offering structured programs from beginner to advanced, spanning multiple traditions including Vipassana, Zen, and loving-kindness. Includes breathwork techniques, guided scripts, habit-building strategies, and progressive training plans.
  Use when the user asks about meditation coach, or needs help with guided meditation and mindfulness coaching system offering structured programs from beginner to advanced, spanning multiple traditions including vipassana, zen, and loving-kindness.
  Do NOT use when the request requires professional medical advice or falls outside the scope of meditation coach.
license: Apache-2.0
metadata:
  author: foundry-skills
  version: "1.0.0"
  tags: "health-wellness mental-wellness step-by-step"
  category: "health-wellness"
  subcategory: "preventive-health"
  depends: ""
  disclaimer: "not-medical-advice"
  difficulty: "intermediate"
---

# Meditation & Mindfulness Coach

> **Disclaimer:** This skill provides general wellness and health information for educational purposes only. It does NOT constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. The information provided is not a substitute for professional medical judgment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your health, starting a new fitness program, or changing your diet. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, contact emergency services immediately.

## When to Use

**Use this skill when:**
- User asks about meditation coach
- User needs guidance on meditation coach topics
- User wants a structured approach to meditation coach

**Do NOT use when:**
- Request requires professional consultation beyond educational guidance
- User needs emergency assistance

## Questions to Ask the User First

```
MEDITATION ASSESSMENT
======================

1. EXPERIENCE LEVEL:
   [ ] Complete beginner (never meditated)
   [ ] Novice (tried a few times, no regular practice)
   [ ] Intermediate (regular practice for months)
   [ ] Advanced (daily practice for 1+ years)

2. GOALS:
   [ ] Reduce stress and anxiety
   [ ] Improve focus and concentration
   [ ] Better sleep
   [ ] Emotional regulation
   [ ] Spiritual growth
   [ ] General well-being
   [ ] Pain management
   [ ] Self-awareness / personal growth
   [ ] Specific tradition exploration

3. AVAILABLE TIME:
   - How many minutes per session? ___
   - How many sessions per week? ___
   - Preferred time of day: [ ] Morning [ ] Midday [ ] Evening [ ] Flexible

4. PHYSICAL CONSIDERATIONS:
   - Can you sit on the floor? [ ] Yes [ ] No
   - Any physical pain/limitations? ___
   - Comfortable closing eyes? [ ] Yes [ ] No [ ] Sometimes

5. ENVIRONMENT:
   - Quiet space available? [ ] Yes [ ] Sometimes [ ] Rarely
   - Can use audio guidance? [ ] Yes [ ] No
   - Preferred setting: [ ] Indoor [ ] Outdoor [ ] Either

6. PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:
   - Techniques tried before: ___
   - What worked well: ___
   - What didn't work: ___
   - Apps used: ___

7. TRADITION INTEREST:
   [ ] No preference / secular mindfulness
   [ ] Vipassana (insight meditation)
   [ ] Zen (zazen)
   [ ] Loving-kindness (metta)
   [ ] Transcendental Meditation style
   [ ] Yoga/Hindu traditions
   [ ] Buddhist traditions
   [ ] Christian contemplative
```

## Progressive Meditation Programs

### Beginner Program: Weeks 1-4 (Foundation)

**Week 1: Breath Awareness (5 minutes/day)**
| Day | Focus | Duration |
|-----|-------|----------|
| 1 | Simple breath counting (1-10, repeat) | 5 min |
| 2 | Notice inhale vs exhale | 5 min |
| 3 | Breath counting | 5 min |
| 4 | Rest day - mindful walking 5 min | 5 min |
| 5 | Breath at nostrils | 5 min |
| 6 | Breath at belly | 5 min |
| 7 | Open awareness of breath | 5 min |

**Week 2: Body Awareness (7 minutes/day)**
| Day | Focus | Duration |
|-----|-------|----------|
| 1 | Body scan - feet to head | 7 min |
| 2 | Breath + body awareness | 7 min |
| 3 | Tension release practice | 7 min |
| 4 | Rest day - mindful eating | - |
| 5 | Seated body scan | 7 min |
| 6 | Breath anchoring with body check | 7 min |
| 7 | Open body awareness | 7 min |

**Week 3: Thought Awareness (10 minutes/day)**
| Day | Focus | Duration |
|-----|-------|----------|
| 1 | Labeling thoughts ("thinking") | 10 min |
| 2 | Watching thoughts like clouds | 10 min |
| 3 | Breath anchor + thought noting | 10 min |
| 4 | Rest day - mindful walking | - |
| 5 | Thought vs sensation distinction | 10 min |
| 6 | Returning practice (focus on gentle return) | 10 min |
| 7 | Open awareness | 10 min |

**Week 4: Integration (10-15 minutes/day)**
| Day | Focus | Duration |
|-----|-------|----------|
| 1 | Breath + body + thought integration | 12 min |
| 2 | Loving-kindness introduction | 12 min |
| 3 | Full sitting practice | 15 min |
| 4 | Rest day - mindful activity | - |
| 5 | Full sitting practice | 15 min |
| 6 | Guided body scan | 15 min |
| 7 | Open awareness meditation | 15 min |

### Intermediate Program: Weeks 5-12 (Deepening)
- Increase to 15-20 minutes daily
- Introduce loving-kindness, insight, and walking meditation
- Begin exploring specific traditions
- Add a second short session (3-5 min) during the day

### Advanced Program: Weeks 13+ (Mastery)
- 20-45 minutes daily
- Silent unguided sits
- Extended retreats (half-day, full-day)
- Deep dive into chosen tradition
- Teaching and sharing practice with others

## Guided Meditation Scripts

### Script 1: Basic Breath Awareness (10 minutes)

```
BREATH AWARENESS MEDITATION
=============================
[Read slowly, pausing at each "..." for 3-5 seconds]

Find a comfortable seated position...
You can sit in a chair with feet flat on the floor,
or on a cushion on the ground...
Let your hands rest gently on your thighs or in your lap...

Gently close your eyes, or soften your gaze downward...

Take three deep breaths to arrive...
Inhale slowly... exhale fully...
Inhale... exhale...
One more... inhale... and let it all go...

Now let your breathing return to its natural rhythm...
There's no need to control it...
Simply notice the breath as it is...

Bring your attention to where you feel the breath most clearly...
Perhaps at the nostrils... the rise and fall of the chest...
or the expansion of the belly...

Rest your attention there...

[Pause 30 seconds]

When you notice your mind has wandered - and it will -
that's completely normal and expected...
Simply notice where the mind went...
and gently guide your attention back to the breath...
No judgment. Just a gentle return...

[Pause 60 seconds]

Each time you notice the mind wandering and bring it back,
that IS the practice... That moment of noticing is mindfulness...

Continue resting with the breath...

[Pause 2 minutes]

If you find yourself getting frustrated or restless,
that's okay... Notice that feeling too...
Then return to the breath...

[Pause 2 minutes]

Begin to widen your awareness now...
Notice sounds around you...
Feel the contact of your body with the chair or cushion...
Sense the space around you...

When you're ready, gently open your eyes...
Take a moment before moving on with your day...

[End]
```

### Script 2: Loving-Kindness (Metta) Meditation (15 minutes)

```
LOVING-KINDNESS MEDITATION
============================
Settle into a comfortable position...
Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths...

Begin by bringing to mind someone you love unconditionally...
A person or pet who brings a natural smile to your face...
Picture them clearly...

Silently offer them these wishes:
  "May you be happy..."
  "May you be healthy..."
  "May you be safe..."
  "May you live with ease..."

[Repeat 2-3 times, pausing between each]

Feel the warmth of these wishes in your heart...

[Pause 30 seconds]

Now, gently turn these wishes toward yourself...
This can be the hardest part... Be patient...

Place a hand on your heart if that helps...
  "May I be happy..."
  "May I be healthy..."
  "May I be safe..."
  "May I live with ease..."

[Repeat 2-3 times]

[Pause 30 seconds]

Now bring to mind a neutral person...
Someone you see regularly but don't know well...
A neighbor, a cashier, someone on your commute...

Offer them the same wishes:
  "May you be happy..."
  "May you be healthy..."
  "May you be safe..."
  "May you live with ease..."

[Pause 30 seconds]

If you're willing, bring to mind someone you find difficult...
Start with someone mildly difficult, not your greatest challenge...

Recognizing that they too want to be happy...
  "May you be happy..."
  "May you be healthy..."
  "May you be safe..."
  "May you live with ease..."

[Pause 30 seconds]

Finally, expand these wishes outward to all beings...
All people in your city... your country... the world...
All living beings everywhere...

  "May all beings be happy..."
  "May all beings be healthy..."
  "May all beings be safe..."
  "May all beings live with ease..."

[Pause 60 seconds]

Rest in this feeling of expansive care...

Gently bring your attention back to your breath...
Notice how you feel...
When ready, slowly open your eyes...

[End]
```

### Script 3: Body Scan (20 minutes)

```
BODY SCAN MEDITATION
=====================
Lie down on your back or sit comfortably...
Close your eyes...
Take three deep, slow breaths...

We'll move attention through the body from feet to head...
The goal is not relaxation (though that may happen)...
The goal is awareness - noticing whatever is present...

Bring attention to your LEFT FOOT...
Notice the toes... the sole... the heel...
Any warmth, coolness, tingling, numbness, or nothing at all...
All observations are valid...
[Pause 30 seconds]

Move to your LEFT LOWER LEG...
The shin... the calf... the knee...
[Pause 20 seconds]

LEFT UPPER LEG...
The thigh... the hip joint...
[Pause 20 seconds]

Now your RIGHT FOOT...
Toes... sole... heel...
[Pause 30 seconds]

RIGHT LOWER LEG... RIGHT UPPER LEG...
[Pause 30 seconds]

PELVIS AND LOWER BACK...
[Pause 20 seconds]

ABDOMEN... notice it rising and falling with the breath...
[Pause 20 seconds]

CHEST... feel the heartbeat if you can...
[Pause 20 seconds]

BOTH HANDS... fingers, palms, backs of hands...
[Pause 20 seconds]

ARMS... forearms, elbows, upper arms...
[Pause 20 seconds]

SHOULDERS... a common place to hold tension...
Let them soften...
[Pause 20 seconds]

NECK AND THROAT...
[Pause 20 seconds]

FACE... jaw (let it drop slightly)... cheeks... eyes...
forehead... the top of the head...
[Pause 20 seconds]

Now sense your ENTIRE BODY as one whole...
Breathing as one organism...
Resting in full-body awareness...
[Pause 2 minutes]

Gently begin to wiggle fingers and toes...
Take a deeper breath...
When ready, open your eyes slowly...

[End]
```

## Breathwork Techniques

### Box Breathing (4-4-4-4)
- **How:** Inhale 4 sec, hold 4 sec, exhale 4 sec, hold 4 sec
- **Duration:** 4-10 minutes
- **Best for:** Focus, calm, pre-performance
- **Level:** All levels

### 4-7-8 Breathing
- **How:** Inhale 4 sec, hold 7 sec, exhale 8 sec
- **Duration:** 4-8 cycles
- **Best for:** Sleep, deep relaxation, anxiety
- **Level:** All levels

### Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana)
- **How:** Close right nostril, inhale left (4 sec). Close both, hold (4 sec). Close left, exhale right (4 sec). Inhale right (4 sec). Hold (4 sec). Exhale left (4 sec). That is one cycle.
- **Duration:** 5-10 cycles
- **Best for:** Balance, calm, focus
- **Level:** Intermediate

### Cyclic Hyperventilation Breathing
- **Overview:** This category of breathwork involves a series of deep, rhythmic breaths followed by breath retention. The Wim Hof Method(R), developed by Wim Hof, is the most well-known version of this technique. For the complete official protocol, safety guidelines, and instructor-led training, visit wimhofmethod.com.
- **General pattern:** Multiple rounds of vigorous breathing (full inhale, relaxed exhale) followed by an exhale-hold retention, then a recovery breath with brief hold. Typically repeated for 3 rounds.
- **Duration:** 10-15 minutes
- **Best for:** Energy, alertness, stress resilience
- **Level:** Intermediate to advanced
- **Caution:** Do NOT practice in water, while driving, or standing. May cause tingling or lightheadedness. Not for those who are pregnant or have epilepsy, cardiac issues, or uncontrolled blood pressure. Consult a doctor before beginning any intense breathwork practice.

### Coherence Breathing
- **How:** Inhale 5-6 sec, exhale 5-6 sec (no pause)
- **Duration:** 5-20 minutes
- **Best for:** Heart rate variability, nervous system balance
- **Level:** All levels

## Meditation Traditions Overview

### Vipassana (Insight Meditation)
- **Origin:** Theravada Buddhism
- **Core practice:** Observing sensations with equanimity
- **Key principle:** Anicca (impermanence) - all sensations arise and pass
- **Technique:** Systematic body scanning, noting sensations without reacting
- **Retreat tradition:** 10-day silent retreats (S.N. Goenka tradition)

### Zen (Zazen)
- **Origin:** Japanese Buddhism (from Chinese Chan)
- **Core practice:** Just sitting (shikantaza) or koan practice
- **Key principle:** Direct experience beyond conceptual thinking
- **Technique:** Sit with eyes partially open, follow breath or work with koan
- **Posture emphasis:** Precise sitting posture is considered essential

### Loving-Kindness (Metta)
- **Origin:** Buddhist tradition
- **Core practice:** Cultivating unconditional goodwill toward all beings
- **Key principle:** Starting with self, expanding outward in circles
- **Technique:** Repeating phrases of well-wishing toward self and others
- **Benefits:** Well-researched for compassion, social connection, positive emotions

### Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
- **Origin:** Jon Kabat-Zinn, 1979, secular/clinical
- **Core practice:** 8-week structured program
- **Key principle:** Non-judgmental present-moment awareness
- **Technique:** Body scan, sitting meditation, gentle yoga, mindful movement
- **Setting:** Clinical, educational, corporate

## Habit Building for Meditation

### The Habit Stack Method
Attach meditation to an existing habit:
- "After I [existing habit], I will meditate for [duration]."
- Example: "After I pour my morning coffee, I will meditate for 5 minutes."

### Minimum Viable Practice
- Start with just 2 minutes per day
- Consistency matters far more than duration
- Never zero: even 1 minute counts
- Track with a simple calendar (X marks each day)

### Overcoming Common Obstacles

| Obstacle | Solution |
|----------|----------|
| "I can't stop thinking" | That's normal; the goal isn't to stop thoughts |
| "I don't have time" | Start with 2 minutes; everyone has 2 minutes |
| "I can't sit still" | Try walking meditation or gentle movement |
| "I fell asleep" | Sit upright rather than lying down; try open eyes |
| "It's boring" | Try different techniques; boredom is also observable |
| "I keep skipping" | Set a phone alarm; habit stack; put cushion in visible spot |
| "I'm not doing it right" | If you're noticing experience, you're doing it right |
| "I don't notice any benefits" | Benefits are often subtle; journal weekly reflections |

### 30-Day Meditation Tracker

```
MY 30-DAY MEDITATION COMMITMENT
==================================
Start date: ___________
Daily minimum: ___ minutes
Time of day: ___________
Trigger habit: After I ___________

Day  | Done | Minutes | Technique       | Notes
-----|------|---------|-----------------|-------
  1  | [ ]  |         |                 |
  2  | [ ]  |         |                 |
  3  | [ ]  |         |                 |
  ...
 30  | [ ]  |         |                 |

Weekly reflection:
Week 1: _______________________________________________
Week 2: _______________________________________________
Week 3: _______________________________________________
Week 4: _______________________________________________
```

## Posture Guide

### Sitting Positions (choose what is comfortable)
1. **Chair:** Feet flat, back upright (not leaning), hands on thighs
2. **Cross-legged on cushion:** Hips above knees, spine tall
3. **Kneeling (seiza):** Kneeling on bench or cushion
4. **Burmese:** Both feet on floor in front (not crossed over legs)
5. **Half-lotus:** One foot on opposite thigh
6. **Full lotus:** Both feet on opposite thighs (advanced)

### Key Posture Points
- Spine naturally upright (as if a string pulls from crown of head)
- Shoulders relaxed and slightly back
- Chin slightly tucked
- Hands in lap or on thighs
- Eyes closed or soft gaze downward (4-6 feet ahead)
- Jaw relaxed, tongue resting on roof of mouth

## Mindful Daily Activities

Transform ordinary activities into meditation practice:

- **Mindful eating:** Eat one meal in silence, noticing taste, texture, temperature
- **Mindful walking:** Walk slowly, feeling each footstep fully
- **Mindful listening:** In conversation, listen fully without planning your response
- **Mindful commuting:** Notice surroundings instead of scrolling phone
- **Mindful dishwashing:** Feel the water temperature, the weight of each dish
- **Mindful showering:** Feel the water, notice the temperature, smell the soap


## Output Format

```
MEDITATION COACH OUTPUT
=======================

Section 1: Assessment / Analysis
- Key findings
- Recommendations

Section 2: Action Plan
- Step-by-step guidance
- Timeline if applicable

Section 3: Resources
- Relevant references
- Next steps
```

## Example

**Input:** "Help me get started with meditation coach"

**Output:** A structured meditation coach plan tailored to the user's specific situation, following the process outlined above.

## Edge Cases

- **Incomplete information:** Ask clarifying questions before proceeding. Do not assume details the user has not provided.
- **Out of scope requests:** Redirect to appropriate professional resources when the request exceeds educational guidance.
- **Conflicting requirements:** Present trade-offs clearly and let the user decide priorities.
