12:00

Breath, Sound And Body Meditation

by Diana Winston

Rated
4.6
Type
guided
Activity
Meditation
Suitable for
Everyone
Plays
18.3k

A meditation on breath, sound and the body guided by Diana Winston, Director for Mindfulness Education at UCLA's Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC).

BodyMeditationMindfulnessBody AwarenessSound AwarenessThoughtsCompassionPeaceThought LabelingSelf CompassionPeace And EaseBody SensationsBody Sensations AwarenessBreathingBreathing AwarenessMeditation PosturesPosturesSounds

Transcript

So you can find your meditation posture sitting in a way that's neither too tight or too relaxed,

But comfortable and upright.

You can notice your body from the inside,

Noticing the shape and the weight and the touch and the areas you make contact with the floor or the chair.

Then you can focus on your breathing,

Feeling your breath in the area of either the abdomen,

Chest or nostrils,

Feeling the gentle rising and falling of your abdomen or chest or the coolness and the in and out sensations at your nostrils.

So the breath is our anchor.

It's where we establish our awareness.

It helps us have something to always return to,

This simple act of breathing.

Now you might notice that other things pull your attention away from the breath,

And that might be sound.

So right now,

Just for a moment,

Bring your attention to the sounds inside the room or outside the room.

Simply listening.

They might be pleasant sounds,

Unpleasant sounds.

Listen to them with curiosity and interest,

Noticing them coming and going without getting caught up in a story about what that sound is or why it's there.

Simply listening.

You can also notice the sound of silence.

Now letting go of this hearing,

The listening,

Bring your attention into your body and notice if there are body sensations to be aware of.

There might be pressure or tightness or movement or vibration or heat or cold or tingling.

Notice which sensations call out to you and let your attention go to them.

It might be a very strong and obvious sensation.

There might be a soft or subtle sensation.

You might notice yourself jumping from sensation to sensation.

Or there may be one that grabs your attention and holds it,

Particularly if it's unpleasant.

You might notice it as it growing or shrinking,

Moving,

As it pulse or throb,

Ache.

Just notice with curiosity,

Similarly not making up a whole story about the experience.

Just being directly with the sensations in your body.

So now return to your breathing,

Finding your breath.

And as you continue on in this meditation,

You'll stay with your breath,

One breath at a time.

If you notice yourself lost in thoughts,

You can say thinking or wandering.

And then redirect your attention,

Returning back to the breathing.

Now if you find a sound or a body sensation becomes so obvious,

Strong,

That you can't any longer stay with the breath because it pulls your attention away.

And let yourself let go of the breath and focus on the body sensation or sound.

Listen to it or feel it until it no longer holds your attention or it's stopped.

At that point,

Go back to the breathing,

Returning to the simplicity of your anchor,

The breath.

We'll try this for a few minutes in silence.

And then rest your eyes.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Now once again notice your whole body sitting here,

Tuning into the shape,

The posture,

The movement.

Let yourself relax.

And you can wish yourself well.

May I be happy and at ease.

May I be free from stress and anxiety.

May I be peaceful.

And let yourself consider the possibility of finding peace and ease,

Well-being.

Thank you.

Meet your Teacher

Diana WinstonNYC

4.6 (952)

Recent Reviews

Shawn

February 2, 2024

Very helpful instructions. I appreciate the silence. Some of these guided meditations have no spaces. This one gave me a chance to practice in silence while still feeling supported. More like this please!

Kaajal

August 31, 2023

I’m so happy to find Diana’s tracks on Insight Timer! I was introduced to her guided meditations via UCLA Marc over a decade ago and they have profoundly changed my life. Thank you for sharing your gift and bright light with us!

Thatcher

June 21, 2022

Excellent guided mediation for breathing and centering.

Shem

October 17, 2021

This was a lovely practice this morning. Simple, yet the power of being able to focus attention is always so amazing to recognize and explore. Thank you! πŸ™πŸ»

Rick.

March 16, 2019

Very well done guided meditation suitable for everyone. πŸ…πŸ†πŸŒŸπŸŒŸπŸŒŸπŸŒŸ

Beth

April 25, 2018

Good basic meditation ...really enjoyed meta at th end and tuning into body and breath. Thank you!

Earl

April 24, 2018

I am grateful for your meditations. I meditate often to the recorded meditations from UCLA, and you have greatly influenced my practice, for several years. May you sense the difference that you make in the world, and may you have a sense of the peace and lovingkindness that is multiplied in you, and through you.

Artemese

March 13, 2018

When I came to work today I was off task, my mind was racing. I noticed that I was able to go in a calm state once I thought about MEFITATING PRIVATELY ON MY LUNCH BREAK, I feel relaxed and calm now. Rejuvenated ready to enter the workforce STRESS FREE!

Toyosi

December 27, 2017

Just what I needed.

Mary

November 9, 2017

Really good and relaxing. A bell or soft sound would be nice before the voice comes back at the end. It was startling.

Chris

July 1, 2017

Lovely meditation! Thank you.

Teresa

April 23, 2017

One of my most favorite meditation teachers. Thanks, Diana Winston, for such a calming experience.

scott

February 24, 2017

the silent period gets me every time

Rob

November 17, 2016

Wonderful, soothing voice, with superb timing.

EmilyπŸ³οΈβ€πŸŒˆπŸ³οΈβ€βš§οΈ

October 24, 2016

Awesome meditation guidance from a great author. Thanks!

Ellen

January 17, 2016

This is a terrific focus-on-breath meditation, admirably simple, perfect for incorporating into daily practice especially if you are returning after an absence or just starting.

Cassie

January 12, 2016

Love her voice very calming perfect for my morning routine

Brian

January 12, 2016

A lot of calm talking to start and then a lot of silence. Finally a nice metta message for yourself. Lovely. Be well.

Lori

January 11, 2016

Such a pleasant voice!

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Β© 2025 Diana Winston. All rights reserved. All copyright in this work remains with the original creator. No part of this material may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

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