I'm not a Buddhist Monk but these apps and podcasts help me!I'm not a Buddhist monk but I am curious about mindfulness. As most of you know I practiced T'ai Chi, yoga, and meditation for over 10 years at an amazing school called The Peaceful Dragon. While my decision to pursue doctoral studies took me off that path the decision did not stop me from my practice. I continue to practice yoga. I meditate each morning...most recently with the support of an app called Insight Timer. Listening to a recent episode of one of my favorite podcasts [Mindful Cyborgs](http://mindfulcyborgs.com/shows/2016/3/17/ylmer7ysa3hn1fovrb34zlo6aub6ze) got me thinking about my dependence on the Insight Timer app and 3 other mindfulness apps I'm experimenting with; [Buddify 2](http://buddhify.com), [Pause](http://www.psfk.com/2015/10/tai-chi-mobile-device-pause-meditation-app.html), and [Breathe](http://breatheapp.co).The absence of a teacher has led me to these apps. Specifically...[Insight Timer](https://insighttimer.com) and [Buddify 2](http://buddhify.com). Each app has guided meditations. The teachers who lead these meditations have become...for now...my teachers. On Insight Timer, I listen to Tara Brach. I've become such a "fan" of hers I've even subscribed to [her weekly podcast](https://www.tarabrach.com)...which includes a seminar-like talk followed by more guided meditations. This app also provides opportunities to be social...communicating to fellow meditators...thanking them for meditating with "me." You can also join groups that provide more opportunities to interact with each other. One group in particular that I am getting a lot out of features poetry by Rumi. I've integrated reading his poetry and interacting with group members...as a part of my practice. The app also gives you stats on a number of things so you can keep up with...among other things...how many days consecutively that you've meditated. This stuff is motivating to me...it keeps me "in the game." The Buddify 2 app is new...for me but is unique in that it provides suggested, guided meditations based on location, situation, and emotion. Not wanting to "break" my current daily streak with the Insight Timer app, I started using Buddify 2 last night...before bed...with a cool guided meditation that focused on being grateful for things. I'm looking forward to trying this app out in other locations, situations, and emotional states. The Pause app was something I knew about and recently was recommended to me by my physician. It provides opportunities to take a timed "pause"...where you use your finger...on the screen of your phone...moving it slowly while soothing music and sounds play in the background. You are prompted to close your eyes mid-way through the pause and a mellow gong sounds at the end. I am mainly using it in the mornings before I head off to work and...if necessary...during my lunch break at work. Finally, the Breathe app has been interesting. I have it paired to my Apple Watch where it will send me a predetermined number of randomly timed notifications daily. These notifications can include a quote (that you can generate or let the app create for you) that allows the user to stop, read the quote, take a breath, and relax.These apps and the podcasts have allowed me to create [a digital sangha](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sangha) that I have access to whenever and wherever I want. So...I'm wondering...is my dependence on these apps and podcasts good, bad, neither? I am not a Buddhist monk. I do not dwell in a monastery. I'm just an ordinary guy trying to make it through the day; someone who understands and it leveraging these digital tools in an effort to cultivate mental silence.