What is the difference between meditation and guided meditation?
Meditation is the practice of being quiet, turning the attention inward and focusing the mind. The body is relaxed, and the breathing is slow and deep. Guided meditation is also being quiet, turning the attention inward and focusing the mind. The body is also relaxed, and the breathing is slow and deep. However, with guided meditation, you utilize the voice and speech of a “guide” or facilitator as the focus. The guide’s voice may be used just to induce deep relaxation or it may be used to describe a series of images. You receive help in focusing to bring yourself into a meditative state, and visualizations are utilized to lead you to your own wisdom, energy and creativity as well as mental, emotional and physical self-healing. For meditation beginners, guided meditations are especially useful in helping the untrained mind learn to focus.
