Guided Imagery Meditation
Guided imagery meditation is a powerful form of meditation that is most commonly used to promote a feeling of wellness in those meditating, as well help assist in the healing process. By harnessing the power of the mind, and forcing the body to enter a calm, relaxed state, your body can begin the healing process. While it is not a cure for ailments, by being able to rest your body, it can rejuvenate, which assists in healing.
If you are considering guided imagery meditation, there are several things that you should keep in mind. In order to be the most effective, you need to be able to relax and let yourself focus on the meditation. Before you begin any meditation session, you have to be in the correct mindset. If you are angry, or lack interest in the meditation, it will not be effective for you. Find yourself a quiet, comfortable place to meditate, where you will not be disturbed. As many people use guided imagery meditation to lower stress levels and assist their body in healing, you need to be receptive to the meditations.
There are several things that you can do to make yourself receptive to guided imagery meditation. First, you can use either a meditation bench, chair or cushion to ensure physical comfort. If you are only comfortable lying down, whether it is due to injury or other problems, lie down as comfortably as you can. As meditation is often mind over body, you will need to put yourself in a position where you can ignore the pains and aches of the body and allow it to relax and rest.
In some cases, guided imagery meditation is very similar to hypnosis. Many teachers of guided meditation will use some of the same strategies to induce a state of calm and receptiveness. Unlike hypnosis, however, the individual who does the work behind the meditation is the listener, not the teacher. Guided imagery meditation is only as effective as the person who is using that method of meditation. While the guides are there to assist you through the process, it is your mind and energy that does the work. In many forms of hypnosis, the teacher or hypnotist implants the suggestion into the mind. In this case, it is the person meditating who decides exactly what it is that is needed.
Selecting your guide for guided imagery meditation is almost as important as taking the effort to do the meditations on a daily basis. Pick a guide you are comfortable with. If the person speaking annoys you, or at all causes you discomfort, the meditations will not be effective.