Guided Meditation

Guided Meditation is a mental discipline by which one tries to get further than the conditioned, "thinking" intellect into a deeper state of rest or consciousness. Guided Meditation frequently includes turning attention to a single point of reference. It is recognized as a component of almost all religions, and has been practiced for over 5,000 years. Guided Meditation is also practiced outside religious traditions. Different meditative disciplines encompass a wide range of spiritual and/or psychophysical practices which may emphasize different goals -- from achievement of a higher state of consciousness, to greater focus, creativity or self-awareness, or simply a more relaxed and peaceful frame of mind. The word meditation originally comes from the Indo-European root med-, meaning "to measure." From the root med- are also derived the English words mete, medicine, modest, and moderate. It entered English as meditation through the Latin meditatio, which originally indicated every type of physical or intellectual exercise, then later evolved into the more specific meaning "contemplation."

Mindfulness is a method in which a individual will become intentionally perceptive of their judgment and proceedings in the present-day instant, non-judgmentally. It plays a principal role in Buddhism, with Right Mindfulness being the 7th building block of the Noble 8 fold Path, the sadhana of which is held in the tradition to bring about 'insight' and 'wisdom' .

Mindfulness points to: Being informed of and paying awareness to the now in which we find ourselves. Our past is gone, our future is not yet here. So what exist between them is the present moment. If I can observe and not get caught up in my thoughts, it is all that I have. The here and now, the present is the bond which holds what was and what will be. My past was a succession of existing moments which contributed me to this contemporary moment. My future should it come about will be a progression of current moments effected by only present moment in which I am now living, being, doing, observing, being aware or unaware, and attentive or unattentive.

As an instance trying Mindful Eating. This involves sitting down at a counter and eating food without engaging in any added activities - no newspaper, paperback, TV, radio, music, or discussion. Now eat your food paying comprehensive thought to which piece of food you select to consume, how it seems to be, how it smells, how you slice the food, the muscles you use to raise it to your lips, the grain and taste of the food as you chew it slowly. You possibly will be surprised at how diverse food tastes when consumed in this system and how satisfying a meal can be. It is also very beneficial for the digestion

However, mindfulness does not have to be constrained to a formal meditation session. Mindfulness is an endeavor that can be done at any time; it does not necessitate sitting, or even concentrating on the breath, but more accurately is done by bringing the intellect to concentrate on what is happening in the present moment, while simply noticing the mind's usual "commentary". One can be mindful of the sensations in one's feet while walking, of the sound of the wind in the trees, or the feeling of soapy water while doing dishes. One can also be mindful of the mind's commentary: "I wish I didn't have to walk any further, I like the sound of the leaves rustling, I wish washing dishes wasn't so boring and the soap wasn't drying out my skin", etc. Once we have noticed the mind's running commentary, we have the freedom to release those judgments: "washing dishes: boring" may become "The warm water is in unison with the detergent and is currently washing away the plates grime, the sun is shining through the window and casting an ever greater shadow on the dish's white ceramics.". In this example, one may see that washing does not have to be judged "boring"; washing dishes is only a process of coordinating dishes with soap and water. Any activity done mindfully is a form of meditation, and mindfulness is possible practically all the time.

As one more closely observes inner reality, one finds that happiness is not exclusively a quality brought about by a change in outer circumstances, but rather by realizing happiness often starts with loosening and releasing attachment to thoughts, pre-dispositions, and "scripts"; thereby releasing "automatic" reactions toward pleasant and unpleasant situations or feelings.

away the plates grime, the sun is shining through the window and casting an ever greater shadow on the dish's white ceramics.". In this example, one may see that washing does not have to be judged "boring"; washing dishes is only a process of coordinating dishes with soap and water. Any activity done mindfully is a form of meditation, and mindfulness is possible practically all the time.

As one more closely observes inner reality, one finds that happiness is not exclusively a quality brought about by a change in outer circumstances, but rather by realizing happiness often starts with loosening and releasing attachment to thoughts, pre-dispositions, and "scripts"; thereby releasing "automatic" reactions toward pleasant and unpleasant situations or feelings.