I love to meditate. When I entered my yoga journey three years ago, I was given the opportunity to learn the art of meditation. Throughout my journey, I have practiced silent meditation, noble meditation, mantra meditation (called Japa), and guided meditation.

Meditation is an essential tool in my daily self-care ritual that allows me to achieve equanimity and stillness. With all the daily stress we experience in our modern lifestyles, it’s no wonder the popularity of meditation is progressively growing as increasingly more people discover its amazing advantages.

Especially during stressful times—like during the current COVID19 pandemic—reconnecting with your inner-self can bring about real positivity and calm by letting go of negativity, stress, anxiety, and uncertainty

One of my favorite forms of meditation is guided meditation. Guided meditation, sometimes called guided imagery meditation, is basically just a meditation practice with the assistance of a guide. It’s one of the simplest methods to enter deep relaxation and inner tranquility, reduce stress, and bring about positive personal transformations.

The Ultimate Guide to Guided Meditations for Beginners. PLUS a list of FREE guided meditations available on YouTube. Visit themoxiemama.com to learn more.

What is Guided Meditation?

Guided meditations are typically practiced with the assistance of a meditation teacher, or by listening to a recorded meditation. I enjoy listening to various teachers on YouTube. I’m loving these guided meditations from Boho Beautiful right now.

The meditation guide will invite you to sit comfortably, with a straight spine. You will then listen to your guide as they direct you through a succession of relaxing visualizations. As you slowly let go and turn into more and more stillness, stress and anxiety begin to diminish. Your mind becomes freer.

While you are in this totally relaxed state, your mind is more open to positive suggestions. The meditation guide will begin to transport you on an inner journey that is intended to enhance one or more areas of your life. For example, a guided meditation might be designed to encourage positive thinking, concentrate on emotional healing, or merely for profound relaxation.

Guided meditation is an experience that is not just relaxing, but also improves your self-image, that positively transforms your perception, and that motivates you to live your fullest life.

It’s a comfortable and very pleasurable experience that causes deep relaxation, removal of stress, and enhanced gratitude for life.

At the end of your meditation, the guide will slowly lead you back to regular awareness, allowing you to feel energized, invigorated, and relaxed. Guided meditation can be as short as 5 minutes, or as long as 60 minutes, to meet your needs. Generally, a guided meditation of more than 15 minutes is desired to experience deep relaxation and boost positive advantages.

How is Guided Meditation Different?

Traditional meditation techniques require you to control your own consciousness by focusing your attention on a single point like breathing; or on a mantra—a sound, word, or phrase that you repeat to yourself mentally or out loud.

While these effective meditation techniques are fantastic for reaching inner stillness and for increasing concentration, many people find them challenging to grasp.

One of the main rationales on why guided meditations is a popular option over traditional meditation techniques is because the meditation guide helps you to move through the same steps as a conventional meditation and achieve similar benefits. Because guided meditation is so simple and straightforward, it is very beneficial for those new to meditation. Experienced meditators can also benefit from guided imagery meditations to experience deeper or more powerful meditation.

Guided Meditations Online

YouTube has a plethora of great guided meditation teachers available for free. Here are a few guided meditation practices that I love right now: