The Benefits Of Mindfulness Guided Meditation
Why Guided Meditations?
Meditation is an incredibly beneficial activity. There is extensive research that highlights the benefits of mindfulness guided meditation. If you are interested you can read a review of the research on meditation.
Here are the highlights:
- Mindfulness meditation programs show improvement in anxiety and depression.
- There is evidence for the help of meditation in the treatment of chronic pain.
- Meditation aids sleep as was shown in studies on insomnia and mindfulness meditation.
- Practicing meditation can help regulate blood pressure.
- Meditation helps managing stress.
- Meditation helps brain function. Mindfulness meditation can slow or even reverse changes due to aging.
- Meditation aids in emotional regulation and enhances cognitive abilities.
You can also read more in my blog about the science behind meditation!
Meditation is a Learned Skill
These are just some of the researched areas of help. For many people practicing meditation may seem like a difficult task. This is mostly because of lack of knowledge and guidance. Meditation is a learned skill. You certainly can get better at it with practice.
Mindfulness Guided Meditation Series
The guided mindfulness meditations I create help with developing this skill since they are a reflection practice and may be easier to follow for beginners. Experienced mediators often find them beneficial as well.
Mindfulness Guided Meditation Video #1: From Empathy To Compassion
When we move from empathy to compassion we can follow and fullfill our desire to alleviate suffering in ourselves and in others. Compassion energizes and nourishes us.
Explore and enjoy. Like and comment.
Shirly
Mindfulness Guided Meditation Video #2: Befriending Your Fear
Learn to manage your fear rather than allowing your fear manage you. Fear and you can partner to create a way for you to be in the world with wise vigilance. You can choose thinking clearly and doing what is best for you.
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Shirly
Mindfulness Guided Meditation Video #3: Returning To Balance Again And Again
We are human. Our internal environment is influenced by what takes place in our lives, in the lives of others, in the world… This reflection practice guides you into ways of returning to balance again and again as you go through your everyday life. This is exceptionally important during stressful times.
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Shirly
Mindfulness Guided Meditation Video #4: Choosing The Stories We Tell Ourselves
We always have a narrative that is running in our minds. The movie that is playing sets the tone to how we feel and what actions we take. When times are challenging it is especially important to notice the stories we tell ourselves and to recognize we can change the story and with it change the feelings that guide our behaviors.
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Shirly
Mindfulness Guided Meditation Video #5: The Impermanence Of Everything
We would like to think that the good things that happen to us will stay and that the bad things will quickly go away.. The truth is that nothing stays the same. Are the things you thought crucial for your happiness the same?
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Shirly
Mindfulness Guided Meditation Video #6: Showing Up During Challenging Times
Challenging times can bring the best or the worst in us… How to go back again and again to the place in your heart that is all love and kindness.
explore and Enjoy. Like and comment.
Shirly
Mindfulness Guided Meditation Video #7: Connecting Emotions Thoughts And Actions
The brain functions best when it is supported by us making good choices and yet stress reduces this ability. Stress causes inflammation that disrupts the connection between the wise part of the brain and the amygdala (the “security guard”). With stress reduction connection can be restored and a healthy wise brain can take the reins again.
Reflect and Enjoy
Shirly
Mindfulness Guided Meditation Video #8: Creating The New You
We change all the time. You are not the person you were 5 years ago, 10 years ago … What if you can direct the change so you become the person you always wanted to be? How about taking charge of your mind and creating new habits of thoughts and emotions that lead to a new you?
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Shirly
Mindfulness Guided Meditation Video #9: Who Is In Charge?
Who is in charge? Are you being dragged along for the ride by your past habits, experiences, thoughts and feelings? What can be done differently? How can you be the boss of your mind and body and direct the carriage where you would like it to go?
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Shirly
Mindfulness Guided Meditation Video #10: Emptying The Mind And Creating Space
Let us create space in the mind for what is truly beneficial and nourishing. Let us clear some of the old emotions and habits that are taking up room!
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Shirly
Mindfulness Guided Meditation Video #11: Do Not Squander Your Life!
How are you living your life? Do you make a point of doing your best with this opportunity you have been given? Taking an inward journey in meditation and exploring this provides an opportunity for change and transformation.
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Shirly
Mindfulness Guided Meditation Video #12: Touring The Mind
Imagine your mind as a house. Different rooms house different emotions and experiences. As you wonder from room to room you may notice that all emotions are transient and the hallway that connects the rooms can lead to a sanctuary, a place to rest and reflect on all that you are grateful for.
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Shirly
Mindfulness Guided Meditation Video #13: Gaining A Bigger Perspective
There are times when we are all facing the same storm and yet we can have a very different experience. How can you gain perspective so you can see things differently and more clearly?
In this guided meditation we explore this.
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Shirly
Mindfulness Guided Meditation Video #14: Connecting With Love
Open your heart in this Metta Meditation practice. Allow yourself to feel fully and completely the love that is already there, resting in your heart. With an open heart you can bring so much more to yourself and to the world.
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Shirly
My Personal Journey With The Benefits of Mindfulness Guided Meditation
In my own life I have found that my years of meditation practice allow me to return to balance relatively quickly. I am noticing that I have time more often to respond to events, rather than react and then regret my reaction. I feel my brain works better now. I am thinking clearer. I am very thankful that this is part of my daily routine.
If you would ask me what is one of the best practices I introduced into my daily routine, the answer is simple, mindfulness guided meditation.
Harvard Medical School researchers recently published a study showing changes in gray matter density after eight weeks of meditation! Can you imagine? Real physical changes in the brain from meditating! 
