Audio Guided Meditation 

This is as simple as it sounds: load up a CD, click on a link, plug in your MP3 player or do whatever you normally do to listen to a recording, find a comfortable quiet place and then listen to a voice guiding you into your meditation. The voice could be someone well-known such as Deepak Chopra, or a professional unknown ‘voice’.

Possibly the most important thing is to find a ‘voice’ that you can connect with and enjoy listening to. There’s no point trying to listen to a recording if that person’s voice irritates you...however famous he or she may be.

Here are some sites with free guided meditation:

  The Chopra Centre free 'Library'

  Learning Meditation's 'Meditation Room'

  A simple but effective Children's Meditation Series

Some people prefer silence when they meditate however guided meditation can be very effective for beginners. 

I've reviewed some sites for you that I liked for their clarity and ease of use and because they're a good deal.

Holosync®: The lazy man's way to meditate!

Easy Steps Meditation: is a simple learn-meditation-at-home program (or learn anywhere that’s quiet and safe). It includes 2 books of 100 and 50 pages and 2 companion CDs of 60 minutes. Why did I choose this site above any other? I like their philosophy and their website – both are straightforward and clear. The message reflects how I think about meditation; it’s not just for a select few; anyone can do it anywhere, anytime. I listened to a few samples of the audio tracks and read a few pages of the meditation and progression guide (available to all) – and liked them. There are some new ideas that I haven’t come across that are really helpful for learning (like placing a dot of ointment on the end of your nose, just between your nostrils, to help you focus on your breath).

The program is in three steps: ‘Learn the Basics’, ‘Practice and Adapt’ and ‘Integrate your Practice into your Life’. I especially connected with this statement: ‘These exercises were designed to be compatible with active modern lifestyles’.

There is a 12 month money-back guarantee, so even if you don’t use the program, for whatever reason (but I hope you do!), you will be refunded. The program is available in English, Español, Français and Deutsch. Please click here to learn more.

Meditainment:

There's  a  wide selection of audio programs including self-help, relaxation, meditation, stress relief, sleep help. They sell video, CD and MP3 formats, and they do not charge for shipping. They have, I think, a great deal for $79 that gives you 12 months unlimited access to their entire library. And, you can sample everything before you buy. Click here to listen to a FREE Secret Garden Guided Meditation Sample. There's beautifully soothing ambient music and very gentle sounds of nature. I found my second listening was deeply relaxing.