As a busy professional with a high-pressure job, I was alarmed when my doctor diagnosed me with high blood pressure last year. She explained that hypertension puts me at higher risk for heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems down the road. I wanted to get my blood pressure under control, but the thought of…
As I gaze up at the glowing full moon hanging in the dark night sky, I feel a sense of magic and possibility. The moon’s bright silvery light seems to illuminate not just my surroundings, but my inner landscape as well. I know that tonight is the perfect night for a full moon meditation. Centering…
I still remember first listening to one of Gabby Bernstein’s guided meditations. I was feeling overwhelmed and anxious, my mind racing with stressful thoughts. On a whim, I searched for a quick meditation to help calm my nerves. And that’s when I stumbled upon Gabby’s 10-minute morning meditation for anxiety. Gabby’s soothing voice filled my…
Have you ever felt there was something more to meditation than just sitting with your eyes closed? That perhaps, if done correctly, meditation could be deeply transformative – leading to states of enhanced awareness, tremendous insight into your true nature, and greater connectivity with the world around you? If so, then tantric meditation may be…
Guided meditation refers to a meditation session where guidance is provided, often via an audio recording, to help lead the meditator. In Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), guided meditations tend to draw from and reflect the 12 Step principles and focus on themes like surrender, wisdom, freedom from addiction, spirituality, and connecting to a higher power. As…
I have struggled with low self-esteem for many years. From a young age, I was very self-critical and had a negative self-image. This manifested in negative self-talk, feelings of unworthiness, and a lack of self-confidence. As I grew older, these issues permeated many areas of my life from relationships to work performance. I finally decided…
As someone who struggled for years to find meaning and inner peace amidst the stresses of modern life, I was intrigued when I first discovered the philosophical teachings of Alan Watts. Often called “the pied piper of Zen Buddhism in the West,” Watts had a unique view of meditation that resonated with counterculture youth when…
I first learned about Ram Dass guided meditations when I stumbled upon some of his teachings online. I was drawn to his gentle, humorous style and the profound wisdom he shared. As I explored more, I realized Ram Dass learned meditation from great Indian saints and spent decades guiding others on the spiritual path. Key…
I still remember the first time I tried transcendental meditation (TM). I was a beginner looking for a simple, accessible form of meditation to help me relax and reduce stress. A friend suggested TM, saying it didn’t require contorting my body into uncomfortable poses or sitting perfectly still for 10 minutes. As a busy working…
I often feel overwhelmed by daily stressors and obligations. When I feel tense or anxious, I’ve found that taking time for a 5 minute guided mindfulness meditation helps me to regain a sense of calm and clarity. In this article, I’ll discuss my experiences with brief, guided meditations and provide examples and resources for those…