Guided meditations have become popular over the last thirty years as humans have begun to explore the different states of consciousness induced during deep meditation. As science has expanded its knowledge of the incredible possibilities hidden within the human brain, it has discovered different methods of inducing these altered states of consciousness and directing them for a specific purpose.

What is a guided meditation and how does it differ from normal, unassisted meditation?

Normal self induced meditation is a practice that has been used for thousands of years to alter an individuals state of consciousness. At its heart is the desire to quiet the constant thoughts which run through our minds and, with the far more powerful unconscious mind, explore the possibilities presented to us as beings of energy connected and part of, the energy of our universe.

Many methods have been used to assist in the production of this meditation practice. These have varied from the ingestion of hallucinogenics, extreme heat and smoke, the use of rhythmic chanting, repetition, concentration on a candle flame, standing in snow clothed only in a loincloth and many, many more. The one thing they all have in common is that they are designed to quiet the conscious mind and free the unconscious to explore our universe in a way not normally accessible to our senses.

As science and the knowledge of the human brain has advanced, other techniques have become available to stimulate very specific areas of the brain to produce targeted results. These methods come under the general umbrella of what is called brain entrainment.

What is brain entrainment? It sounds like something you would do with a dog.

Brain entrainment uses 21st century knowledge and technology to lead the brain into a relaxed, alpha state where the critical facilities of the mind are engaged elsewhere, while the powerful, hidden areas of the unconscious are freed to explore the universal energy and spirit.

If all this sounds a bit “out there”, and it does, I offer you four facts to consider.

– Matter = Energy in a different state
– Energy = Matter in a different state
– Everything is made of one stuff
– Therefore (I was going to say “ergo” but realized how wanky it sounds) we are energy. We are matter. We are made of the one stuff that is everything.

Any physicist will tell you the above. It is not a spiritual concept. It is the underlying matrix of the universe.

Guided meditations in the 21st century are most commonly in the form of binaural beats or isochronic tones which, when listened to, especially through headphones, (which Buddha probably didn’t have!) entrain the brain to replicate their rhythm and frequency into a relaxed, alpha state. This automatically creates a meditation experience which is not dependent on the adeptness of the practitioner. Simply put, the use of binaural beats or isochronic tones in meditation downloads allows anyone to achieve deep meditation which can be focused on specific areas of need.

I am certain the Buddha would have approved.

Kindness is more important than wisdom.

Author Bio: Martin P Kerrigan is the author of two books, Princess Lau and Uluru Dreaming and a student of wing chun kung fu for twenty one years so far. His interests are esoteric, spiritual, altered states, classical guitar. To download sample meditation mp3s go to: Sample mp3s To read the funniest and most frightening books ever go to: Best Books

Category: Self Help
Keywords: Binaural beats, deep meditation,guided meditation