What is Guided Mindfulness Meditation?

Guided mindfulness meditation is a type of meditation practice designed to help the practitioner live calmly and presently in the current moment, with an awareness of themselves and what is going on around them. Guided mindfulness meditation may take place as part of a meditation class, or it may be practiced independently. There are numerous books, audio CDs, and DVDs that contain instruction on meditation, and how to incorporate the practice into daily life.

The best way to describe guided mindfulness meditation is through an explanation of the practice. For those who are new to meditating, it is best to start in short increments of approximately ten minutes. It may be helpful to set a quiet alarm to go off at the end of ten minutes, so it is not necessary to keep glancing at the clock and interrupting the meditation practice.

When meditating, it is generally best to sit on the floor or in a straight-backed chair, with the head up and back and neck straight. The hands and shoulders should be relaxed, and the eyes may be open or closed, depending on which is more comfortable. Wear comfortable clothing, and keep the lights low.

There are many ways to practice meditation, and there is really no "right" or "wrong" way. This is simply one method that may be effective. To begin guided mindfulness meditation, it is often recommended that one simply focus on the breath. When stray thoughts enter the mind, as they will, observe and acknowledge the thoughts, and then gently return to observing the breath. Do not become angry or upset; it is absolutely necessary, in guided mindfulness meditation, for stray thoughts to enter the mind in order to be observed, and for the mind to be gently redirected to the present moment.

Over time, it will become easier to focus on the breath, and to return to the breath when thoughts enter, which will then allow the practitioner to meditate for a longer time without becoming bored or even falling asleep. Additionally, over time, meditation will create awareness of one's body and the different sensations found there. This is just one of the benefits of mindfulness meditation that will occur in everyday life.

Guided mindfulness meditation can help practitioners let go of the past and stop focusing and worrying about the future. Instead, it allows the practitioner the ability to be calm and aware in the present moment, dealing with issues both positive and negative as they arise with a calm interior. When one experiences life in a mindful way, one is able to appreciate each moment such as enjoying a nice cup of tea, playing with one's children, or spending time with friends or a significant other without becoming preoccupied by distractions in the mind. Living mindfully also allows one to respond to unhappy or stressful events with greater clarity and creativity, instead of simply a mindless reaction.