Many people who find this post here probably want to learn how to meditate and perhaps have already tried to, without a success. I can completely relate to that. It was more than 20 years ago I first tried to meditate seriously but I couldn’t do well and eventually gave up.
Now, believe it or not, I LOVE to meditate! I would do it all day every day if I had the time. Because it is so refreshing, clears your mind and uplifts your spirit. You can also receive messages from your spirit that way. But since we are all so busy with our daily lives, no one has that much time for that unless you are a monk in the mountain or something :<
All kidding aside, over the years I have tried different guided meditations, and I still do some guided ones too. Other times, I simply close my eyes and start meditating. As for the guided meditations, it's like picking out your favorite music to listen to that day. You pick what you feel like. I love my teacher Anna Sayce's meditations with her beautiful British accent, or when I want something quick, I listen to John Edward's meditation - he talks really fast and moves on really fast, but when I was originally having trouble meditating, his fast paced meditation was easier for me to keep up with.
Guided meditations are easier in a sense that all you need to do is to just follow what the guide says. However, if you find it hard to visualize something, it may be difficult for you. Also the guided meditations are normally longer and you may not feel comfortable doing it for so long in the beginning. In such cases, you may just want to do a short meditation by yourself.
So here are three tips that should help you with the self guided meditations.
First, always begin by raising your vibration. You inhale to the count of 4, hold your breath for a count of 4, and exhale to the count of 8. I have noticed that the number of count is different depending on the guide. Some teachers use the count of 6, for example. I would say, do what is comfortable for you, because everybody's counting speed is different anyway. The bottom line is that you inhale, make sure to hold your breath for a few seconds, and exhale as long as you can. Do this at least three times, but keep doing it until you feel calm and uplifted.
Second, don't worry about things that come to your mind. When you are not used to doing a meditation, as soon as you close your eyes, you find yourself thinking about something completely irrelevant. Like, what should I cook for dinner? Did I lock the door when I left? You are right, you are not supposed to think about these things when you meditate. You should clear your mind and think nothing. But the more you try not to think about anything, the more thoughts tend to come into your mind. So, it is important to just let it be. Don't fret, don't worry about it, if you start thinking about something. If a thought pops in your mind, just let it float and it will eventually go away. When something else comes back, do the same. Just don't pay attention. Let it be.
Finally, you don't have to meditate for a long time, but you should do it often, if not every day. Because you need to learn to get into the "mode" by making it your routine. In the beginning, you can do it just for a minute. But it is recommended that you find time to do it every day. And preferably around the same time of the day, and at the same place. This will adjust your body and mind to the routine of meditation, and you will eventually find yourself being able to quickly get into your meditation mode.
Do you like taking a nap? That is a good way to start too. While you are in a meditation, your brain generates what is called Alpha wave, which is actually the same state as in a light sleep. So you can close your eyes, and pretend that you are taking a nap, and see if you can get into the state of a light sleep. Once you learn to get into that state of the brain wave, you are more familiar with how it feels like. I used to fall asleep all the time, and I still do sometimes, but I don't think it is a bad thing as long as you don't completely fall asleep. After all, people tend to get divine messages in their light sleep, often right before they wake up.