About Axel GHave you ever thought of taking up meditation? Perhaps you’ve been interested but never given it a try. If that’s the case, then here’s your chance…
With the right technique, meditation is both fun and easy to learn. In this post I’ll introduce you to one of my favorite meditation techniques. Why start with meditation?
Ultimately, meditation is a spiritual practice. For example, in Buddhism they speak of enlightenment as the highest attainment. Anyway, in this post we’re not concerned with spirituality but rather with improving your quality of life.
To most people, meditation is a tool that brings balance and inner peace into their lives. Moreover, meditation is often used to soothe and dissolve stress, which it does very effectively. Others use it to increase focus for effective learning. As you can see, it’s possible to apply meditation in a number of ways.
Meditation is most relaxing. When the mind is calm and the thinking slows down, it feels almost like being in paradise. It’s a very pleasant mental state.
Guided Meditation
I wholeheartedly recommend guided meditation, which is sometimes called voice guided meditation. As the name suggests, the meditator follows voice instructions.
There are many benefits to this meditation technique:
It’s really easy to learn
Free downloads available online
No need for a meditation teacher
You can practice virtually anywhere
What makes guided meditation so easy to learn?
Guided meditation is as easy to learn as it’s effective. All you have to do is sit or lie down in a comfortable position. Put on your headphones, select play and close your eyes.
Let the soothing music relax your body and mind. Then, follow the voice instructions – that’s it.
Head over to Google and search for “free guided meditations.” Download the files to any portable mp3 player and there you are.
Guided meditations are usually between 5-20 minutes long. Some meditations
feature nature sounds while others have inspiring music. Experiment to see
what works best for you.
Always sit or lie down in a comfortable position. In the very beginning, it’s helpful to meditate in a quiet room.
With some experience it’s possible to practice while commuting to work and
in nature. You can also do a session just before going to bed at night.
Finding the time to mediate shouldn’t be an issue even for the busiest people.
One of the beauties of guided meditation, is that you don’t need a meditation teacher. All you have to do is to relax and follow the straightforward voice instructions.
Meditation Tips
Here are some suggestions that will help you get the most out of your meditation practice:
- It’s easier to concentrate when the body is at ease, so always meditate in a comfortable position. It doesn’t matter whether you’re sitting or lying down, however it’s easier to relax while lying down. Use pillows and blankets to make yourself as comfortable as possible.
- Avoid distractions at all costs. Shut the door to your room, switch off the sound on your cellphone and close your eyes.
- Don’t try too hard. Just relax and follow the voice instructions. Let go
of everything round your and become one with the meditation.
- If you have the time, you can repeat the session which will take you deeper and make you feel even more relaxed.
- Meditate before going to sleep at night and wake up feeling refreshed.
- You can create an inspiring atmosphere by lighting candles and incense. That can be most supportive.
- It’s both fun and motivating to meditate with friends. Why not start an informal meditation group?
- Meditate as often as you like. The more you practice, the more you benefit.
Good luck with your meditation practice!
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Hi Axel,
Thanks for these great tips on guided meditation. I have learned that if I do not stay alert, my mind is a step ahead of me telling me what to think, say and do. A mind that is conditioned to tell you what to do cannot create anything new, it can only imitate. I remind myself of this daily. For me, meditation is a fabulous way to take command of the mind. The mind will chatter incessantly unless we take direct control. I have found the best way for me to calm my mind is to practice reflecting deeply during a walking meditation through nature. I did not know there were so many great, free resources for guided meditation… thanks again, you have a great way of making meditation sound easy & joyous.
Thank you!
What works for one person may not work for someone else.
It’s wonderful you’ve found a way that works for you.
Nature is a great place for meditation…
Enjoy your practice!
Thank you so much for this post! I’m looking for the meditation tips right now. And this just is for me!
.-= Roman Soluk´s last blog ..Our 1st Birthday- =-.
I’m glad you found the post helpful.
Good luck with your meditation practice!
Axel, guided meditation is how I got started, so I wholeheartedly echo your recommendation.
A lot of people tend to think these types of exercises are above their heads, or somehow “mystical,” but I can’t think of anyone who would not benefit from guided meditation.
Great post, and thanks.
.-= Joshua Noerr´s last blog ..The Craziest Hour Ever or… Separating Facts From Opinions =-.
Thanks!
I agree, there are many forms of guided meditation and you have to find something that you resonate with.
Some like nature sounds while others are drawn to new age.
There is something for everyone, which is good.
Enjoy your practice!
Thanks for sharing this because i just needed this right now. My mum passed away 3 weeks ago and am still in shock!..I will try this meditation today to get myself strong again.
Keep up the good work and thanks once again for sharing.
.-= Valentine Belonwu´s last blog ..What Are You Willing To Risk =-.
I’m very sorry to hear about your mother.
Meditation is a natural and effective form of healing.
Feel free to email me and I’ll give you some of my own recordings free of charge.
All the very best
Hi Alex,
Thanks for responding back to me. I will email you right now. God bless.
.-= Valentine Belonwu´s last blog ..What Are You Willing To Risk =-.
.-= Valentine Belonwu´s last blog ..Let Go =-.
Hey Axel,
I love meditating, just started about 3 months ago…. I first tried it a year ago–I tried doing it every day but it never worked out.
I realized that meditation is something that shouldn’t be force…. once I started doing it because I wanted to do it, I started to really reap it’s benefits.
Like you said, it’s free, you can practice anywhere.. why not!
Cheers, Alex!
.-= parker lee | howtomingle´s last blog ..How To Build a Life You Can Be Proud Of–part1 =-.
Well done!
Try to practice regularly, at least 3 times per week.
That way you’ll get the most out of your meditation practice.
Have fun!
Thank you, Axel, for your valuable tips. I used to practice meditation in conjunction with my practice of Yoga. You know how run-away the mind is. I found some difficulties in focusing for a period of time, because of the different thoughts that cross my mind.
I take you advice to use guided meditation. I have tried it before, and found out I could focus more and experience more enjoyment. It demanded less effort because I was aided, unlike when I did it all by myself.
Two things I am taking out from this post: guided meditation and creating a conducive environment. Thank you again.
Hello Percival!
Thanks for the comment.
With practice your thoughts will settle down which makes it easier to meditate.
Guided meditation is an effective way to cultivate focus and attention.
Yes, by creating a conducive environment you’ll get more out of your practice…
Good luck!
Ah….Now what would the world be like if we were all given time to meditate at work and had it taught it in schools as a natural resource?
That sounds like a great idea!
Many students meditate to boost concentration and to refresh the mind.
Very good Alex. With 5 children meditation would be nice, but to find the time is another thing. Love the post image btw. Very peaceful.
.-= Colleen´s last blog ..Full Disclosure =-.
Steve picked the photo, he’ll be happy to read that!
You have a big family.
I’m sure you find other ways to unwind though.
I got a Question Alex, how long have you been meditating for?
Thanks for the question!
Where I grew up in Sweden, we occasionally practiced guided meditation as part of physical education, starting from grade 4 if I remember correctly.
Anyway, I did my first meditation retreat in 1993.
Axel,
Good tips for any beginner to meditation. It is a wonderful way to explore one’s spirituality and open the doors of awareness beyond the logical mind.
Thank you!
“Open the doors of awareness beyond the logical mind.”
That’s beautiful.
Yes, guided meditation is both effective and easy to learn.
All the best!
Great post!
I’d never considered using guided meditations, but will definitely give them a try now. I’ve been reading a book on meditation and reading tips online here and there. However, you are the very first to suggest this method. Thank you!
.-= Laura´s last blog ..7-7-2010 Work at Home Jobs for Moms =-.
Thank you Laura!
Guided meditation is a great way to get started.
Download a few meditations and stick to the ones you like best.
Let us know what you think of it…
Good luck!
I have never tried guided meditation. I struggled with focus meditation. I can’t believe how difficult it is to turn off the mind. This process seems at lot more attainable for me. I will definately give it a shot.
.-= Frank´s last blog ..What Makes a hero a Hero =-.
That’s right.
Guided meditation is much easier than meditation on the breath, for example.
That’s what makes it such a great introduction.
Regular practice will improve your concentration gradually.
Good luck!
Great tips. I agree even the busiest people can find time – inexplicable but I always seem to have more time when I am mediating regularly – perhaps because the rest of life flows more smoothly. When I get out of practise I get more stressed and somehow have less time.
Many thanks,
Kate
.-= Kate´s last blog ..Making Wise Decisions =-.
Thanks Kate!
I agree, it’s about making priorities.
Eckhart Tolle laughs when he says, “Everyone has time to take one conscious in and out breath.”
Try to squeeze in a few minutes here and there, whenever you feel like meditating…
All the best!
Great post! I also got some good advice once that – if a distraction is bothering you – just embrace it and accept it…Really helped me.
Tim D
http://www.momentary.org
free mobile gratitude journal
what are you grateful for today?
I’m glad you liked it Tim!
That’s great advice.
There are so many things in life that are beyond our control.
That makes acceptance a truly powerful tool.
Thanks for that!
Hi Axel, just wanted to welcome you to CYT authors. I haven’t had much connectivity over here in Turkey.
I thought this was a great introduction to meditation. Guided meditation is something I practice a lot and is a fantastic way for beginners to get into it.
Thanks again Axel.
Thank you Steve!
It’s been wonderful to get to know the CYT community.
My only regret is that I should have contacted you earlier…
Speaking of Turkey, I love the long pita bread that is served with a garlic spread. It’s called lavash.
Enjoy your holiday!
Hi Axel and Steven. I’m so glad you wrote about meditation. I’d recently gotten so involved with the “stuff” in my life that I stopped meditating on a regular basis. The result was a skyrocketed stress level. Meditation is such a wonderful way to take a break from dealing with things outside yourself. The benefits of quieting my mind and just being still are enormous.
.-= Nea | Self Improvement Saga´s last blog ..25 Amazing Truth Quotes to Remind You Why Honesty is the Best Policy =-.
Thanks Nea!
Yes, it’s refreshing to turn the attention inward.
Most of us are so used to being really active that we don’t notice the stress and restlessness in the background…
All the best with your meditation practice.
Dear Steven, all you “gurus” easily say this or that, I know is very very easy to say what we need to do, we know too, the point here my friend IS TO DO BECAUSE IF WE KNOW HOW WE DON´T NEED YOU.PLEASE GIVE US METHODS THAT WORKS, EFFECTIVELLY PROVES THAT WE CAN CHANGE UOUR MIND AND GET NEW WAY OF LIFE I AM LOOKING FOR THIS AND NEVER , NOTHING HAPPENS OR CHANGE AND I HOPE LISTEN TO YOU READING YOU ONA SOLUTION ONE TEACHING THAT REALLY WORKS AND MAKE ME BETTER, NO MORE DISAPPOINTMENTS ,PLEASE.
Hello Joao!
There are many forms of self help.
Personally, I’m only interested in techniques that work.
The thing is that you have to find methods that suit you.
For example, I’m not any good at yoga because my body is really stiff.
That can be frustrating.
But if you really want to improve your quality of life, you have to continue to look until you find something that works for you.
Then, you have to stick to it.
Why not join a group in your hometown?
They would be able to offer you support along the way…
I wish you success!
Alex, I love meditation – I started to do it more than ever before (but still not every day) a few months ago. I love Meditation Oasis podcast. I am hooked on Mary’s voice. She can take me to a deep trance. I am a highly active person who can hardly sit still and meditation does wonders for me. I love it right after yoga and before bed also as you say. My challenge is how to make myself do it everyday with the other million things on the agenda? Please give me a tip that works! I have tried EVERYTHING!!! Thank you!
Thank you Farnoosh!
I’m glad to hear you’ve found guided meditations that work for you, that’s wonderful.
It’s much easier when you have a daily routine.
Why not include the meditation practice in your schedule?
Meditate in the early mornings, on the commuter train or before going to sleep at night…
Good luck!
Hey Axel, it’s been a while since this post but I am writing a post for Tuesday where I will be linking back here to your wonderful guest post in explaining a situation and experience with my meditation recently…..!! Thanks again!
Farnoosh recently posted..The Importance of Being Punctual
Hi there,
I haven’t had much success with my attempts to meditate. Maybe guided meditation would be it – could you suggest from any of the free ones Google throws up? There seems to be way too many to choose from..what would be a good start?
Thanks a million!
That’s a great question!
There is a company called Meditainment that produces quality meditations. The link is to a free guided meditation called The Secret Garden.
http://www.meditainment.com/free-meditation-content/
If that’s not working for you, there are free downloads on my website.
The recordings are basic yet powerful.
http://axelg.com/guided-meditation.html
Good luck!
I also find it hard to make it a priority in my life to sit down and meditate. I get the effects of meditation from doing yoga. I think like all things it just takes practice. I think for many people it is hard to find a space in their homes that have no distractions from noise, other people, etc. It would be nice if there were dedicated meditation centers where people could go to take a break from their day to sit in quiet. I remember many years back I went to a youth hostel in Belgium that had a meditation room. It was quiet except for a low hum and the lighting was serene. Anyone could go in but conversation was not allowed. I entered the room with a question in my mind and when I came out it was completely answered. thanks for the links to the free guided meditations.
Hello Suzy!
Thanks for your comment.
It’s a lot easier to practice meditation and yoga without distractions. Another benefit of going to a center is that motivation comes naturally. Sometimes it can be hard to keep up with the practice when you’re on your own. Personally, I find guided meditations really motivating. It’s almost as if you’re not meditating alone…
Good luck!
Dear Alex,
Your post is really good for people like me who would like to start meditation. I use to try meditation when I was in school but was never able to shut my mind of the millions of thoughts which cross it every second.
A request, if you could provide few URL’s or website links through which we can download some mp3′s of guided meditation to see which one suites the best so that going ahead we can buy one best for us.
Thank you
Regards,
Chaitanya
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