Thomas had always been a busy person. He worked as a software developer at a large technology company. Every day, he spent ten hours staring at his computer screen. His mind was always racing with thoughts about deadlines and problems to solve. At night, he could not fall asleep easily. He would lie in bed, thinking about work until two or three in the morning. Thomas often felt anxious and stressed. His shoulders were always tense, and he got headaches frequently. One day, his colleague Sarah noticed that something was wrong. 'You look exhausted,' she said during their lunch break. Thomas sighed. 'I have not slept well in months.' Sarah nodded with understanding. 'I used to feel the same way.' 'What changed?' Thomas asked curiously. 'I started meditating,' Sarah replied with a smile. Thomas raised his eyebrows skeptically. 'Meditation? Is that not just sitting still and doing nothing?' Sarah laughed gently. 'That is what most people think at first.' 'But meditation is actually about training your mind to focus and stay calm.' She explained that she had been meditating for two years. It had helped her reduce stress and sleep better at night. Thomas was still doubtful, but he was desperate enough to try anything. Sarah recommended a meditation app that had guided sessions for beginners. That evening, Thomas downloaded the app and looked at the different programs. He chose a ten-minute session called 'Finding Calm.' He sat on his sofa, closed his eyes, and pressed play. A gentle voice began speaking, asking him to focus on his breathing. 'Breathe in slowly through your nose,' the voice said. 'Now breathe out slowly through your mouth.' Thomas tried to follow the instructions, but his mind kept wandering. He thought about the bug in his code that he could not fix. He remembered the meeting scheduled for tomorrow morning. He wondered if he had paid his electricity bill. The voice gently reminded him to return his attention to his breath. 'It is normal for thoughts to appear,' the voice explained. 'Simply notice them and let them pass, like clouds in the sky.' Thomas found this concept interesting but difficult to practice. When the ten minutes ended, he opened his eyes and felt slightly disappointed. He had not felt peaceful at all. His mind had been jumping from one thought to another the whole time. However, he decided to try again the next day. Sarah had told him that meditation required regular practice. For the first week, Thomas meditated every evening before bed. It was frustrating because his thoughts never seemed to stop. But gradually, something began to change. After two weeks, Thomas noticed that he could focus on his breathing for longer periods. When thoughts appeared, he learned to observe them without getting lost in them. One night, something surprising happened. After his meditation session, Thomas went to bed and fell asleep within fifteen minutes. This had not happened in months. He woke up the next morning feeling refreshed and energized. Thomas continued his meditation practice with renewed enthusiasm. He started meditating for fifteen minutes instead of ten. He also learned about different types of meditation techniques. Some focused on body awareness, others on gratitude or compassion. After one month, Thomas noticed significant changes in his daily life. He was sleeping seven hours each night and waking up naturally without an alarm. His headaches had almost completely disappeared. At work, he found that he could concentrate better on complex problems. When he felt stressed, he would take a few deep breaths and feel calmer. Thomas also noticed that he was more patient with his colleagues. Before, small problems would make him irritated and angry. Now, he could respond to difficulties with a clear and calm mind. Sarah was happy to see the positive changes in her colleague. 'You look so much better,' she told him one day. Thomas thanked her for introducing him to meditation. 'It has changed my life,' he said honestly. Six months later, Thomas had become a regular meditator. He meditated every morning for twenty minutes before starting his day. He had also joined a meditation group that met every Sunday. He enjoyed meeting other people who shared his interest in mindfulness. Looking back, Thomas could not believe how skeptical he had been at first. He had thought that meditation was just a waste of time. But now he understood that it was one of the most valuable skills he had ever learned. Meditation had taught him how to find peace in a busy world. He now recommended it to everyone who seemed stressed or anxious. 'Just try it for two weeks,' he would say. 'You might be surprised by the results.'
English Story (B1)Learning Meditation
This B1 English story is designed for intermediates learning English. It includes simple vocabulary and short sentences to help you improve your reading and listening skills. Click any word to see translations and hear pronunciation.
About this story
Thomas is a stressed software developer who cannot sleep well and constantly thinks about work. His colleague Sarah suggests meditation. Despite initial skepticism, Thomas starts using a meditation app. After struggling with wandering thoughts at first, he gradually learns to focus on his breathing. Within a month, Thomas experiences better sleep, fewer headaches, and improved concentration. Six months later, he meditates daily and has joined a meditation group, finally finding peace in his busy life.
Translations in English
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Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
What was Thomas's job?
2
Who introduced Thomas to meditation?
3
What happened after Thomas meditated for two weeks?
4
How long did Thomas meditate every morning after six months?
Vocabulary
42 words from this story
