I think you might be talking about Binaural Beats. My understanding is that they are specific frequencies in a stereo so that each ear is getting a different frequency. The theory is that these can change the frequency of the brain waves. This is then a way to induce a relaxed state. Part of the effect is the power of suggestion, but there does seem to be some promise that there is a connection to actual binaural beats themselves.

Relaxation is very good for over all mental health. Meditation, mindfulness, relaxing sounds/music are all examples of effective relaxation. My caution is to be aware of the spiritual and philosophical underpinnings of the approach. The biggest of these is the idea of emptying (as you mentioned before). Emptying makes a person susceptible to the power of suggestion (emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually). When that happens then you want to make sure the message you are filling with is aligned with God's Truth.

Meditation is an effective way to grow spiritually as well. I believe that meditation on God's word can be very enlightening, healing, growing, and relaxing.

I am not sure that meditation without spiritual undertones is possible. We have a tendency to view ourselves as divided between emotional, social, psychological, physical, and spiritual. These divisions are useful in understanding these different areas of our lives, but you cannot easily separate them in application to real life. Each of them is connected and dependent on the others. All of these combined together make you who you are. You could no more separate spirituality from meditation than you could separate your spirit from your body. But that is not just meditation that is all areas of life.

Consider:
"For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart."
~ Hebrews 4:12 (HCSB)

This is one reason I would encourage meditation on God's Word. This verse tells me that all of those areas mentioned above are addressed through His word and it is effective in accomplishing it's work. Hope this helps.

God Bless You ~BJ

Bill: Thank you for the blessing. I was also drawn to study this when I read 1 John 2:15. I was confused about the use of Agapao in referring to love of the world. After searching many commentaries I concluded that interpreting Agape as divine love was based in tradition. The problem is that Agape in other greek literature (contemporary to the time the Bible was written) does not mean divine love. So a best it is a word that Christian writers adapted to mean divine love or the alternate (which is my preference) is that it is God that makes Agape divine. My training in Greek and theology is mostly self-study so I fear I have no standing in the scholarly community. I think though with people like Peter (really all of Christ's Disciples) from the New testament that you and I are in good company in that respect.

Blessings to you,
~BJ

PS I cannot say whether the guided meditations that you have should or should not be avoided since I am not aware of the content. I would look to the source and see if it is fitting with Christian faith. Pray over it. God's Spirit will provide convection one way or the other.
~BJ

Chris: I want you to know that I am praying for you. First and most important start with God's word. Here are two searches to get you started on a word study of meditation and anxiety: http://net.bible.org/#!search/Meditation http://net.bible.org/#!search/Anxiety
I would study, pick out, and meditate on some of the vereses that are meaningful to you. Try to discover the verse's context, meaning, and personal application. See here: http://bjs-spot.blogspot.com/2009/08/awareness-of...
I would recomend some readings as well after you finish these initial meditations. Practicing the presence of God by Brother Lawerence (Pubic Domain) would be a good book to start with.

Praying For You,
~BJ

Thank you for sharing. I hope you find this blog useful in your development of mindfulness practice.

Thank you for the kind words. It is my prayer answered that this would be helpful to others. God Bless You.

I believe it was part of the discussion in the presentation. Basically identifying the spiritual effects and the dangers of each of these. I do not recall the specifics, but here are some of my thoughts on each of these.

Complacency
Effect: Inaction
Danger: Not making change that is needed (lack of repentance)
Discontent
Effect: Increasing bitterness toward situation or person
Danger: Broken relationships, overreaction, lack of peace
Boredom
Effect: seeking out some sort of stimulation
Danger: In the pursuit of being happy you pick up unhealthy and/or unholy habits.
Sadness
Effect: Chronic sadness becomes despair.
Danger: Giving up
Emptiness
Effect: Void of things of the Spirit
Danger: grieving and quenching the Holy Spirit
Dullness
Effect: lack of joy
Danger: Taking for granted the blessings of life.

Try this address: https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dgvghvmr_...

Thank you!

Thank You