Guided Vs Non-Guided Meditation Practices: Which One Is Better for You

I believe meditation should have no rules or regulations on how, when, or what to do.

Meditation goes hand in hand with mindfulness, it is a time where we are able to find stillness within. A time to focus our attention inwards to the whispers of our body ­– both physically and energetically. And finding what feels best for you will vary from person to person.

Guided Meditation

For beginners, I would suggest starting with a guided practice. 

There are many amazing recordings you can find online to help get you started. My top three apps are Insight Timer, Spotify and Gaia.

If you’re not sure where to start or how to pick the right recording, start with finding a voice you resonate with. Something that calms your nervous system and grounds you. Then you just start listening. Meditation doesn’t always come easy, but with time and patience, you’ll find yourself fading off into daydreaming land. This, I believe, is the best way to begin non-guided meditation.

Non-Guided Meditation

Once you’ve gotten comfortable with guided meditations you might want to start non-guided meditations.

I find using sound healing to be a really great way to dive into my own personal meditations.

I’ll usually put on Source Vibrations or some variation of universal frequency (you can listen to my Sound Support Spotify playlist) as I find the sound really supports me getting into the daydream state with ease.

I also find staring at certain sacred geometric shapes a really profound way to tap into deep meditation. I prefer the flower of life symbol, but there are many different ancient symbols that hold so much magic and wisdom. Simply by staring at something that resonates with us we are able to connect deeply into our inner world and create a meditative experience.

How To Start Non-Guided Meditation

For non-guided meditation, try find a quiet space where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for a set period of time. Start by observing your body; the way it sits in space, seated on the ground, and pay attention to your breath as it goes in and out. Simply becoming aware of breathing is already meditative – this will naturally quiet the mind and allow focus to turn inward to the body.

From here you can begin to gently scan your body. Start from your crown and work down. Notice where your mind is at – is it calm? Is it noisy? If you’re finding it hard to switch off, you could always add in a guided meditation to give the mind something to listen to while you begin to relax. But also remember that there is no wrong way to meditate. And it can take time to get used to. So just go at your own pace and what feels comfortable to you.

If you are feeling especially relaxed and present, you can keep going on your own as you scan your body and follow the sound of your breath. Sometimes I like to think of my breath as gentle waves lapping against the shore. You can always add in some frequency sound healing to spice it up!

Whether you’re starting out your meditation journey or if you’ve been doing it for years, just remember that meditation should be all about YOU! And there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach.

If you’re not sure where to start, get in touch with me today! I offer 1:1 in-person and online guided meditation sessions as well as group workshops and breathwork packages.

“We are all just walking each other home.”

– Baba Ram Dass