Meditation offers a wide variety of physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits. When asked why they haven’t tried meditation, many people will say that the practice is difficult and quieting the mind is challenging. For these people, guided meditation may be the best way to start.
The constant stream of inner dialogue and obsessive thoughts has gotten so common that many people feel that it is normal. Quieting the mind is the most difficult part of meditation for nearly everyone new to the practice. Guided meditation can occupy the mind and keep it from wandering.
Guided meditation is a type of meditation that uses the imagination to relax the mind and body. The meditation is guided by another person, which can be a teacher or guru or a recording of a guided meditation. During meditation, you are guided through a journey of the imagination by a person or recorded voice.
Through guided meditation, you will learn to slowly and quietly calm the mind. The practice begins with finding a comfortable place and sitting in a comfortable position. You will begin with a focus on your breath and an awareness of the body. Relax and focus on the voice and follow the directions given in the meditation.
The content of a particular guided meditation practice will depend on the focus of the practice. There are guided meditations that are designed to reduce stress, release negative emotions, change a behavior or habit, or achieving your goals. If you want to focus on a specific area, you can likely find a recorded guided meditation that meets your needs.
If you want to try guided meditation, you can practice from the comfort of your home. Guided meditation practices can be found on CD and online. There are free guided meditation practices online that allow you to try meditation without paying for a CD.