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Daily Steps To Mindful Living

guided meditation

Can’t Meditate? These Hacks Will Solve That

Learning how to meditate is probably one of the hardest things I’ve experienced. Even today, I can’t say that meditation comes easily to me.

As Wayne Dyer said, “Meditation is difficult for many people because their thoughts are always on some distant object or place. One form of meditation is to label the thought as it appears and then choose to let it go.”

how to meditate

But what if you still can’t meditate the way you want to – or the way you think it ought to be done? [Read more…] about Can’t Meditate? These Hacks Will Solve That

Originally posted on July 6, 2016 @ 8:30 am

4 Guided Meditation Apps to Help You Get Started

In my last post, I talked about guided meditation and how it can benefit you. I also promised to share some guided meditation apps that will help you get started.

Meditation is not an easy thing, and some people really can’t get the hang of it. To be honest, I cannot do it alone for a very long time – hence my foray into guided meditation.

I also have a confession. Even though I use guided meditation apps, I find that in order for them to do the trick, I have to do them repeatedly. That means every day, or several times a day. That’s not to say they do not work, but if you have anxiety (or other similar) problems, you might want to get some help on top of using guided meditation apps.

That being said, here are four guided meditation apps that you might want to try.

Oh, and one last thing, most of them are free, but they have in-app purchases to unlock more sessions.

Guided Meditation Apps

Pure Meditation – 20 Guided Meditation Techniques with HD Video Backgrounds & Ambient Meditation Music

App description:

“These guided meditation techniques (yoga based program) can be done anywhere and at anytime, and you can notice results in seconds. You need calm, you need relax time. Now you can learn how to meditate with this fantastic meditation app.

Perfect for all levels from beginners to highly advanced meditators.

There’s a variety of guided meditation techniques so you will be certain you will find one that is perfectly suited to your lifestyle and needs. From quick meditation techniques that can be done in seconds to nice long relaxing meditation sessions.

Featuring a continuously updated library of guided meditation, the app allows you to choose from a wide variety of different tracks to accompany you to sleep.”

My experience

I got the free version, so there was only one 25-minute session. I found it relaxing, but I had to get used to the narrator’s voice. The instructions were simple and did help me relax, but as a beginner, I found 25 minutes to be a little long. If you’re comfortable with that period, however, give it a try.

And, it’s free for today!

Get Pure Meditation.

Mindfulness Meditation – Guided Mindfulness Meditation

App description:

“Guided meditations – This application will help you practise meditation with a series of audios adapted to the different needs of your everyday life. It will guide you from the beginning to an advanced level.

Timer – The timer allows you to meditate without listening to the narration. A bell will alert you whenever a quarter of the time has elapsed.”

My experience

Just like the previous app, Mindfulness Meditation is free. What I like about it is that it has sessions with different lengths – 5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc.

The problem is that only the 5-minute session is free, and you’ll have to pay for the rest. Try out the free session first, and if you like it, then go for the in-app purchase.

Get Mindfulness Meditation.

Complete Relaxation: Guided Meditation for a Happy, Stress Free Life

App description:

“Set to the stunning music of Australian composer Christopher Lloyd Clarke B.Sc, Msc.D. Complete Relaxation features a bespoke mix of his hypnotic tracks “The Essence of Peace” and the angelic “Heavens Gate”.

With each composition working seamlessly alongside the relaxation script, you’re taken on a guided journey through the body, relaxing each and every muscle before being invited to float down into Complete Relaxation, where the positive affirmations begin.

With the latest meditation and relaxation techniques, this app will ease every muscle in your body, offering you complete relaxation…”

My experience

One thing I can say: it does help you to relax. And, yes, the music is a very nice touch.

I like doing these sessions in bed, so I feel relaxed even more.

There is a lite version, and a full version for $1.99.

Get Complete Relaxation.

Guided Mind — Guided Meditation, Relaxation & Mindfulness for Stress, Depression, Anxiety, Insomnia & More

App description:

“Relax and get guided through meditations on a variety of topics dealing with the stresses and challenges of day-to-day life.

Updated frequently with new guides and meditations.

FEATURES

  • Easy & effective step-by-step, voice-guided meditations
  • Short (~5min), medium (~15min), and long (30+ min) meditations
  • 8 different meditation guides (speakers)
  • 20+ FREE high quality meditations
  • 150+ high quality meditations
  • 14 FREE nature soundscapes
  • 20+ instrumental tracks
  • Looping for continuous play
  • Download any meditation and listen without an internet connection
  • Easy-to-use interface
  • Instructions on how to use the app to meditate
  • Information about each guide
  • Meditations for both beginners & experienced meditators”

My experience

I saved this app for last because, in my book, it is the best. It is the app that I use most.

It offers a lot of guided meditations based on various topics. If you are dealing with a particular problem, you can search for that, and you’ll probably find a guided meditation session targeting that issue.

Additionally, it has a good number of free sessions, which I find really useful. There are some topics which are in-app purchases, but they’re well worth your money.

Get Guided Mind.

Do you use guided meditation apps? Maybe you can share them with us!

Originally posted on June 9, 2015 @ 8:00 am

What Guided Meditation Is and Its Benefits

Meditation is a popular practice in many parts of the world today, but its origins date back to approximately 5,000 to 3,500 BCE when archeologists discovered signs of meditation in wall art.

Indian scriptures, as early as 3,000 years ago, highlight meditation techniques, and as time passed, other religions and sects developed their versions of meditation.

Today, from the east to the west, people practice meditation for various reasons, one of which is to attain spiritual development.

Guided meditation

Guided meditation is no different from regular meditation except that there is someone else leading the session. This is particularly useful for beginners who may have difficulty meditating. As the name says, guided meditation needs a guide to help an individual or group to reach a deeper level of consciousness and reap the benefits of the practice.

One of the most common ways you can practice guided meditation is to go to a yoga center or a similar place. They offer sessions or classes for guided meditation. If you’re fortunate enough, you can even find a personal guide for your meditation session.

guided meditation benefitsSource

During a guided meditation session, the narrator will start with asking you to find a comfortable position – sitting or lying down. He or she will then verbally help you go through visualization processes with the aim of relaxing your body and your mind. As you go along, you will get more and more relaxed, and your mind will become calmer.

How can guided meditation help?

Guided meditation is not much different from meditating on your own. It’s the presence of a guide that helps you focus, with the ultimate goal of you being able to – at some point – meditate on your own.

Guided meditation benefits are numerous, the main one being targeted at those who struggle with sitting still and quieting their mind. If you find it difficult just to sit there and find inner peace on your own, then guided meditation will make it much easier.

There are many variations of guided meditation, most of them with specific goals.

Here are several examples:

  • Guided meditation for relaxation
  • Guided meditation to relieve work stress
  • Guided meditation to quit smoking
  • Guided meditation to start the day
  • Guided meditation for “grounding” yourself
  • Guided meditation for self-healing
  • Guided meditation for coping with divorce or breakups
  • Guided meditation for forgiveness
  • Guided meditation for dealing with guilt.

And the list goes on and on.

Whether you are going through a rough patch in your life, or you simply want to improve your current state of mind, meditation is one of the most effective things to do. And, if you are not comfortable meditating on your own, or you are uninitiated in the practice, then guided meditation can help you achieve your goals in ways you may not imagine.

Are you ready to make a huge change in your life? Try guided meditation. In my next post, I’ll be sharing tools which you can use for guided meditation.

Get your meditation place ready: 9 Cheap Ways to Make Your Place Peaceful and Conducive to Meditation

Originally posted on June 3, 2015 @ 8:30 am