About the Meditation Timer
Our free meditation timer helps you maintain a consistent mindfulness practice. Set your desired duration and optional interval bells—inspired by traditional Tibetan singing bowls—to gently mark the passage of time without disrupting your focus. The calming lotus animation provides a peaceful visual anchor, with petals gracefully falling as your session progresses.
Unguided Meditation Timer
This timer is designed for unguided meditation, giving you complete freedom to practice in your own way. Unlike guided meditation apps that direct your attention with narration, an unguided meditation timer simply marks time, allowing you to explore your own inner landscape. Whether you practice breath awareness, body scanning, loving-kindness, or simply sitting in stillness, this timer supports your personal practice without interruption.
Unguided meditation is ideal for experienced practitioners who have developed their own techniques, or for beginners who want to explore meditation without external direction. The gentle interval bells serve as mindfulness reminders, bringing you back to the present moment if your mind has wandered.
How to Use
- Set duration - Choose how long you want to meditate
- Set bell interval - Optional gentle bells to mark time (or turn off for complete silence)
- Start - Press Start and close your eyes or softly gaze at the lotus
- Listen for bells - Soft bells play at your chosen interval as gentle reminders
- End bell - A final bell signals the end of your session
Benefits of Timed Meditation
- Consistency - Regular timed sessions build lasting habits and deepen your practice
- No clock watching - Trust the timer and fully immerse yourself in the present moment
- Gradual progress - Start with 5 minutes and work up to longer sessions over time
- Interval awareness - Bells help maintain presence and gently anchor your attention
- Insight development - Consistent practice creates space for deeper self-awareness and insight to arise naturally
Suggested Durations
- 5 minutes - Quick reset, perfect for beginners or busy days
- 10 minutes - Daily maintenance practice for sustained mindfulness
- 20 minutes - Deep relaxation and stress relief, ideal for insight meditation
- 30-45 minutes - Extended practice for experienced meditators seeking deeper states
- 60 minutes - Deep meditation in the style of silent retreats
Meditation Techniques to Try
This unguided meditation timer works well with many techniques:
- Breath awareness - Focus on the natural rhythm of your breathing
- Body scan - Systematically relax each part of your body
- Vipassana (Insight) - Observe thoughts and sensations without attachment
- Loving-kindness (Metta) - Cultivate feelings of goodwill toward yourself and others
- Zen sitting (Zazen) - Simply sit with open awareness, letting thoughts pass
- Mantra meditation - Silently repeat a word or phrase to focus the mind
Tips for Successful Meditation
- Find a quiet space - Minimize distractions for deeper concentration
- Comfortable posture - Sit on a cushion, chair, or even lie down if needed
- Start small - Five minutes daily is better than occasional long sessions
- Be patient - Meditation is a skill that develops gradually with practice
- Use the bells wisely - Interval bells can help if your mind wanders frequently
