What is meditation?

• Dictionary.com defines the word “meditate” as: to engage in thought or contemplation; reflect.

• Meditation is a simple practice of shifting your focus and training your mind.

• Traditionally, meditation is used to achieve inner peace and a sense of well-being.

• There are many different techniques for meditation but most require you to sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes and bring your attention to something specific.

What is guided meditation?

• Guided meditation is a practice of following along as an expert talks you through a meditation.

• Guided meditation can be practiced in groups, one on one, or by listening to an audio recording.

• You can choose a guided meditation that is designed to help you achieve a specific outcome.

• There are guided meditations designed for practically anything that you want to improve in your life, from weight-loss and sleep, to peak performance and better relationships.

• More and more people are practicing guided meditation today because of the simplicity, ease and pleasant outcomes they get from using it.
• Guided meditations have a dual purpose: You are able to work toward an outcome that you desire while gaining all the benefits that meditation has to offer.

What happens when you meditate?

• When you meditate you go to a place deep within, your inner self.

• It is in this place that you connect with your true essence, the real “you.”

• There are many scientific studies that show what is happening in your brain when you meditate.

• Your brain produces different waves depending on what mental state of consciousness you are in.  Most people experience three states in a 24-hour cycle: Awake, asleep and deep sleep or REM sleep.

• When you meditate, you enter a different state of attentive calm that is evident by the production of different brain waves.

• In this attentive calm state you are able to align your conscious and subconscious mind with your body.

• It’s truly the most rapid way to create a better life and there is nothing easier or more rewarding than to give yourself the time an attention that you need and deserve.

Does meditation have any religious affiliations?

• There are references to meditation in almost all of the religions of the world but meditation in and of itself is not a religion nor does it require faith or any religious belief in order to practice it.

• Meditation is a simple practice of aligning your body with your conscious and subconscious mind in order to gain a balanced and well-lived life.  While this may be a spiritual experience, it has no implicit religious affiliation as we teach it.

What about my friend who says, “I’m way too high-strung and hyperactive to meditate?”

• In fact, this is one of the best reasons to meditate.

• By gently training the mind and body to align, you begin to become more focused and able concentrate when you want or need to.

• Guided meditations are designed to coach you through every step of the process, making your transition into meditation effortless and pleasant.

• Meditation settles the mind into rest and relaxation.

What if I’ve tried to meditate, but I’m easily distracted by thoughts or sounds that I hear?

• It’s natural for thoughts to enter into your mind and distraction to arise when meditating.

• If you’re distracted, simply and gently guide your mind back to your meditation.  Don’t worry about the distraction.  This is the practice of meditation.

• If you are distracted a hundred times, bring your focus back to your meditation a hundred times.

• Guided meditation is extremely helpful with these issues because an expert who has had many years of practice is able to talk you through these moments of distraction.

Isn’t reading a book, watching TV, or taking a nap the same thing as meditating?

No, Let me explain:

• Relaxation can take many forms and may be quite enjoyable.

• However, the benefits you get from a practice of meditation are supported by scientific studies and have no comparison to these other activities.

• These benefits occur when you get in touch with your true essence.

• When you nap or watch TV, you enter into a state that is semiconscious.  This is very different from the alignment that occurs within you during meditation.

• While reading a book is a great practice and can be beneficial in many ways, it cannot take the place of entering to the attentive calm of meditation.

What health benefits can be gained from meditating?

• Hundreds of scientific studies have found many different health benefits meditation can bring to you.

• Research shows that people who meditate are happier and have an overall greater sense of well-being when compared with those who don’t.

• Meditation improves focus, attention and cognition.

• In addition to these pleasant byproducts of meditation, there are a number of physical, emotional and psychological problems that can be relieved or eliminated through a practice of meditation.

• Here are some the problems that meditation has been scientifically proven to help with:

• Insomnia, high blood pressure, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, ADHD, stress, substance abuse, addictions and cardiovascular disease.

• Meditation has also been shown to improve your immune system due to the reduction in free radicals.

What time of day should I meditate and for how long?

• Meditation is a great way to start your day so that you are balanced, aligned and prepared to face whatever may come your way.

• You may find it helpful to practice short meditations throughout the day for a short break and realignment.

• It is also beneficial to meditate at the end of the day to clear the mind of any stress before retiring to bed.

• Meditation times will vary depending on what outcome you want to achieve.

• You may want to begin your day with a meditation that lasts anywhere from 10-45 minutes.

• You can take short breaks throughout the day from 30 seconds to 5 minutes.

• If you wish to meditate in the evening, you can choose a time that is best for you.
• Most guided meditations will have a variety of programs to choose from that are different lengths of time. Choose the best one for your needs and enjoy this time for yourself.

Which meditation technique should I use?

• Choosing a meditation that fits your needs is important.

• You should decide what outcome you are looking for in your meditation practice and make a decision based on this.

• Guided meditations offer the easiest path to achieving your desired results in your practice.

• Guided meditations are designed with many different outcomes in mind.  Determine the purpose or outcome you want, and find a meditation that is designed to achieve that outcome.

• Whether you are new to meditation or have been meditating for years, guided meditations give you the edge to get whatever you want out of your time spent meditating.

Is meditation hypnosis or will it put me into a trance?

• When you are being hypnotized or are in a trance, you are in an unconscious state of mind.

• Meditation is the practice of heightened inner consciousness, not unconsciousness.

• While there are many forms of hypnosis for specific outcomes, this is different from guided meditation.

• In guided meditation, you are in complete control of your mind, which leads to greater awareness of your thoughts, emotions and the choices you have at any given moment.