There are many different meditation techniques to help ease the racing of thoughts and bring one to a natural state of peace. If sitting quietly while your mind races isn’t enough to help you get clear and relaxed, you may want to try guided meditation. Guided meditation is one of the simplest forms of meditation to direct your mind to the present moment and open your awareness.

What is guided meditation?

A guided meditation is a meditation in which you are guided by the voice of another to leave the past and future and engage in the mind of present moment and clarity. You can find guided meditations through classes, retreats, workshops or by listening to meditation CDs or tapes. In this form of meditation, a meditation teacher will be guiding you through a visual and feeling place inside yourself to access a relaxed mental state and a heightened awareness of personal insight.

Guided Meditation Examples

A guided meditation will have you sitting comfortably, with your eyes closed and relaxed. As the soothing sounds begin, you will be asked to imagine yourself in different scenes and peaceful emotional states. For instance, you may be guided through a bright, sunny field, to a warm rock where you will be met by your guardian angel or a being of love to receive a message. In this state of relaxation it is much easier to be in the present moment and receive messages from your higher self about your path in life or the solution to a currently pressing issue for you.

Other guided mediations will put you in a calm, relaxed state and guide you through a series of positive affirmations that allow you to detach from current daily issues and connect to your inherent sense of love and peace. If you are being guided toward acceptance of monetary abundance the guide may say things such as: “I accept abundance into my life. I am worthy of monetary abundance. I feel at peace with money.” Being relaxed and receptive to their affirmations due to the state of mental peace allows you to make subtle shifts in your mind and body to help you become more conscious of your patterns and make new choices.

Finding Guided Meditation Near You

There are many places to find guided meditation classes. Look in your local paper for places offering meditation classes or go online to find meditation CDs. Many yoga centers also offer meditation classes, as do many Buddhist centers and non-denominational churches.