All of us are aboard the train of our thoughts which are always running without making any stops. In the fast pace of the 21st century, our minds barely get any rest as we are always swirling in the whirlwind of our multiple thoughts.
Our salvation for a present and aware mind can be found in meditation, a forgotten art. Meditation brings our focus towards contemplation and introspection within to better understand ourselves.
To summon peace in your mind, you can melt into a meditative state anytime and feel the stress of your day leaving your body. Now, let's explore what mindfulness meditation entails.
What Is Mindfulness?
Before we delve into what a guided meditation is, let’s explore what this state of mindfulness is that we are trying to achieve. Mindfulness is defined as being completely immersed in the present and being fully engaged with the task at hand.
It is a state where one is devoid of any distractions from past or future activities, any judgments, or any prejudices. Moreover, it means being completely aware of one’s thoughts and feelings.
Mindfulness enables us to live a fuller life by being truly present in the now and indulging in the activity happening at the moment. As we detach ourselves from both the past and future, our focus levels rise and all the stress melts away gradually.
Meditation aids us to keep our awareness at the moment so that it can be applied to our quotidian activities.
How To Practice Guided Mindfulness Meditation?
It’s imperative to be in a place where you won’t be disturbed so you can choose to meditate either in your closed room or your locked office.
The purpose of guided mindfulness meditation is to not let your mind wander by holding your awareness in say, a breathing exercise, or a body scan. Now, let’s discover the different ways to practice guided mindfulness meditations.
Breathing Exercises
This is a kind of meditation that’s an idyllic choice for beginners as breathing is a natural function. Pleasant and tranquil music will lure you into a meditative state. You can find a video or podcast where an audio guide will instruct you throughout the whole process.
Bring all your focus and attention to your breathing pattern by taking long and deep breaths. Try to listen and feel the air as you inhale and exhale it through your nostrils.
Don’t worry if your consciousness wanders, just bring it back to your current activity. You can start off with 5 minutes a day and increase the duration for quicker results.
Body Scans
Once you’ve mastered breathing exercises as a part of your guided meditations, hop onto body scans. A body scan involves focusing your attention on the different sensations of your body parts, starting from head to toe.
This is the best way to inculcate mindfulness as it requires a lot of focus to keep it going. An audio guide can keep your attention directed to the activity so it’s advisable to use one.
Start with visualizing your head and then slowly bring your attention to the surface of your face. Then, move your focus slowly down to your eyes, nose, ears, and lips.
You may not feel any sensations at first but as you go through your whole body, you’ll start to feel mild tingling or itching or soreness at various parts. Keep your focus stuck to those sensations as you hop from one body part to another.
What Change Does Guided Mindfulness Meditation Bring?
When we go into a meditative state, the plethora of thoughts that cross our mind pause so that we can experience tranquility and peace. As you inculcate mindfulness meditation into your routine, you’ll observe that you have a new ability to combat stress.
The baggage of the past that often comes in the way of your days will start to dim. Also, your thoughts are streamlined and not cluttered, your creativity and imagination will skyrocket.
Conclusion
You’ll be better equipped to process your emotions and feelings for a more stable social life. Moreover, your attention span will reach new heights as you bring mindfulness into your day. This will lead you to live a life in the present as well as enhancing your overall well-being and mental health.
