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About
Meditation
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About Guided Meditation
 One form of meditation which has evolved more recently is that of "guided
meditations". In these meditations, either live or recorded, one is voice-guided
step-by-step through a meditative experience.
There are many different approaches to guided meditation, and they have
different purposes. Some have a very specific purpose, such as healing or
self-improvement (the latter may include meditations to create prosperity,
improve relationships or any number of specific goals). Others are more general,
aimed at quieting the mind and producing calmness. Some are designed to evoke
"higher states of consciousness" or to enliven various aspects of the human
energy field (for example, various "chakra" meditations.)
Many guided meditations use imagery, either describing very specific images
which produce certain experiences, or inviting the listener to allow their own
images to appear. Others may be body-focused, for example an instruction in
progressive relaxation, or there may be instructions with regard to the use of
the breath.
Guided meditations invariably reflect the background and orientation of the
"guide". They may or may not reflect a particular religious or spiritual
tradition, such as Buddhism or Christianity, since meditation in one form or
another is a practice in most religions. For some, prayer becomes a kind of
meditation. If the guide has a background with some particular meditation
tradition, that will invariably influence the style of guided meditation.
Finding just the right guided meditation for your needs may take some
exploration and trying some on for size. While the actual content of the guided
meditations will have some importance, the quality of the voice and "presence"
of the guide will play an important part. What is soothing to one person may be
irritating to another!
Meditation can be an invaluable tool for creating health and well-being, as
well as personal and spiritual growth. Some will discover practices they can use
on their own, but for others, meditating with a guide may be most effective. Even those with a regular meditation practice can benefit from various forms of
guided meditation. Being guided allows for an effortlessness that may be
difficult to achieve on one's own.
Visiting Sonoma
or Live Nearby?
Guided Meditation with Mary Maddux on Third Thursdays (more...)
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Meditation CDs
Use these guided meditations to make meditation easier and allow the experience
to go deeper!
Sleep Easy CD
guided meditation for sleep
Advanced
Chakra Meditation
Chakra Dhyana CD
opens the chakras, raises kundalini energy
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