“It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles.” – Buddha

Some might have issues with meditation because it’s not a “simple” skill. In fact, most think that it’s definitely learned, but not in any easy way. Others might already be in tune with it; some might fall flat in trying.

Even the most calm might not even realize they’re doing it already, which sort of kills the purpose behind it. That’s where guided meditation comes in.

Rewiring Your Brain Without Even Thinking About It

Studies have shown that you could literally imagine yourself competing in a sport you enjoy and potentially find yourself doing it in real life. This form of daydreaming is tapping into your subconscious mind, which is then telling your body to “prepare” for it all, and guided meditation can help get you to that “place” in your mind with ease.

Think of it as subconscious learning, or maybe even adapting. This may be quite different from what we typically associate with meditation. Many of us believe meditation is simply about finding that place in ourselves where we can experience serenity. Our breathing slows down. We’re at peace. Stress levels drop…

And then we snap out of it, and are reinvigorated.

However, the main issue with meditation is the challenge of getting ourselves into that “place.” It’s not exactly an easy thing to do. Guided meditation, however, uses audio assistance to help guide you to that place of peace and reach deeper inside yourself so that you’re no longer inside your head.

And, yes, all you need to do is remain still! And listen!

So, How Does It Work If You’re Not Really Doing Anything?

In a way, it’s almost like hypnosis. As you stay still and simply pay more attention to your own body, you rest within the deeper reaches of your mind, or your subconscious. You’re no longer thinking on the surface. You’re not present in the world; you’re only present deep inside your mind.

Studies show that when you’re tapping into that deep subconscious, you’re actually taking charge of the 37.2 trillion cells in your body, which regulate all 12 of your systems:

  • Cardiovascular System
  • Endocrine System
  • Respiratory System
  • Nervous System
  • Immune System
  • Circulatory System
  • Digestive System
  • Lymphatic System
  • Muscular System
  • Skeletal System
  • Reproductive System
  • Urinary System

It’s that subconscious mind governing and regulating everything your body does without you even knowing it.

Think of the possibilities if you were able to retrain your brain into delivering new neural pathways to any of these systems. That’s what guided meditation seeks to do.

How Does It Biologically Work?

As your brain wave activity slows down and your stress levels drop, your body then triggers HGH (human growth hormones).

HGH is responsible for metabolism, blood sugar level, and protein synthesis regulation. As you relax, your adrenals also calm down, which allows them to rest. They stop producing cortisol, which is the exact stress hormone designed to keep you on your toes. Overproduction of this can have drastic effects on your thyroid as well as your ability to lose weight. It’s one of the reasons why, when you’re stressed out, you feel the need to splurge on food.

Additionally, your endocrine system will balance out as hormones become better regulated. This includes your sex hormones. Imagine yourself trying to make love while extremely worried about money or some other calamity. It’s not possible. Or, at least, it’s not very fun.

The value, without a doubt, is clear: but again, most individuals have serious challenges regarding the ability to meditate and find a corner of their psyche that is part of the serenity they require. Thanks to guided meditation, you can think of it as that “helping hand.”

Think of Your Subconscious Mind as a Power Plant

It’s amazing to think that you have this real “power plant” inside your body designed to communicate with all of the cells in your systems. The moment you start letting the stress nag at you and say phrases like “I’m tired” or “I’m bored” or “I give up,” your body will do exactly what you’re thinking!

That’s some visceral creative energy you have there, and you have the ability to harness all of it. That, of course, as you see, can be good or bad.

The simplest, easy, and almost random thoughts we have could influence exactly how our bodies end up feeling. If the subconscious mind feeds in negative energy, your body will also swallow a lot of that negativity; feed it positive energy, and you can expect to be on the top of the world.

The trick is to not try so hard—and just breathe. Let it be. Let your subconscious mind lead the way.

Guided meditation is a wonderful way to “guide” you into the meditation process and reap all of its benefits. Nothing is more frustrating than knowing your body needs to just be, but you can’t quite get there.

Thanks to guided meditation practices, you can, and here are a few to try:

 

Pierre Roustan is an author, adventurer, father, philosopher, philanthropist, athlete, gamer, U.S. chess champion, health nut, activist, and advocate for humanity, living in a quiet home with his wife, four daughters and one son in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He’s trekked through tundras, waded through swamps, wandered through deserts, swam in the Great Barrier Reef, explored a shipwreck, walked a runway, sat in prison, been in a mental hospital, adored and hated others, lost and gained a lot, fought wars in a courtroom, lost wars in his heart, and held loved ones in his arms as they breathed their last breath. He’s braved storms of all kinds and has plenty more life to live—and he’s ready to write all about it.