Picture it: you're sitting on your meditation mat, trying to focus on your breath, but your mind keeps wandering, and your body is aching . . . After some minutes, a chime sounds, and the session is over. You get up from the mat feeling sleepy and drained.

Was this meditation?

Not really. Although you were using a meditation technique, the essence of the practice was missing.

And to be clear, it's the essence that brings us the benefits of meditation, so that's what we're going to focus on in the guided practice below.

But before you dive into the practice, let me explain what meditation really is.

Meditation happens when you are relaxed and focused at the same time.

Most of us can do one or the other. You can relax in a hot bath, or you can write an email to your boss. But try writing that email while staying totally relaxed . . . It's not so easy!

Meditators struggle with their practice mainly because they don't know how to relax.

When you learn to relax deeply, then meditation becomes effortless and enjoyable. And this guided practice will teach you how to enter that meditative state, a process I call Entering Zen.

So let's get started!