Diving into the self: guided meditation as an integrative practice

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Since the 1990s, interest in integrative health approaches has increased worldwide, driven by the Ministry of Health's encouragement of the use of Integrative and Complementary Practices in the SUS. Meditation, one of the most widespread PICs, promotes physical and emotional well-being by training mindfulness in the present moment, and is also a tool for exploring levels of consciousness. OBJECTIVE: To report the guided meditation technique, as well as the experience lived through this practice, emphasizing the learning and insights obtained. EXPERIENCE REPORT: The exercise of guided meditation with mindfulness principles was applied by during the meeting with Nursing and Dentistry academics members, taking place on September 21, 2023. At first, the meditation began with a focus on breathing, encouraging exploration of the senses, promoting self-perception, paying attention to surrounding sounds and physical sensations, seeking points of bodily support, and cultivating full awareness of immediate sensory experiences. In the second moment, the session included visualizations in search of positive mental images and promotion of self-reflection, with the exercise lasting an average of 1 hour. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: The experience reached varying levels of self-reflection and self-discovery among the participants, but generally contributed to emotional well-being and greater self-perception among those involved in the experience. Furthermore, the inclusion of visualizations and personal goals enriched the experience, resulting in an improvement in emotional well-being and being able to enjoy the perception of rewarding moments in life.