How Manai works
Give your meditation room to breathe
Manai lets you request silence and longer pauses inside guided audio. Tell it where you need room to reflect, repeat a phrase, imagine a scene, or move. A slower voice and an actual gap are different choices: if you want the guidance to stop for a while, ask for that space explicitly.
The listener needs a turn
A guide can ask a good question and still rush the answer. If the next sentence arrives immediately, the recording is taking the turn it just offered you.
Our view is that silence is part of the instruction. It gives the listener time to participate, rather than simply hear more words about participating.
A concrete passage with space
This original editorial example shows three different jobs for a pause:
“Notice the place where your feet meet the floor.”
Pause for 10 seconds to notice.
“Bring to mind the first sentence you want to say.”
Pause for 20 seconds to rehearse.
“Let the sentence go. Stay here without adding anything.”
Pause for 45 seconds without further guidance.
The numbers are design choices for this example, not a scientifically optimal schedule. You might need a shorter first gap and a longer rehearsal. Tell Manai what the listener is supposed to do during each interval.
Ask for fewer words as well as more time
Illustrative request:
Revise this practice to leave twenty seconds after each reflection question. Remove any follow-up explanation during that gap. Near the end, include forty-five seconds without narration. Keep the background music soft during that section.
If you want complete silence, request no background audio for the gap as well. A gap in speech can still contain music or ambience. The background-music guide explains that distinction.
Longer gaps also affect overall duration. When a session must fit a short break, reduce the number of prompts instead of fitting the same script into less speaking time. A five-minute practice may have room for one meaningful question, not six.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ask for a specific pause length?
Yes. Describe both the length and its location, such as twenty seconds after a question. Listen to the produced version to check the experience instead of relying only on the text description.
Is speaking slowly the same as adding silence?
No. Slower narration stretches the words. A pause gives you time without another spoken instruction.
Will music keep playing during a pause?
A pause in narration and a pause in all audio are different. State whether you want background sound to continue or want complete quiet, then review the result.
What if long pauses make me lose the thread?
Request shorter gaps and an occasional brief orienting cue. Personal pacing can mean more guidance as well as less; choose the amount that helps you follow comfortably.
Create your personal practice with Manai →
Manai offers educational wellness practices. It is not medical care, diagnosis, or treatment. If a practice feels uncomfortable, stop. Seek qualified support for health concerns or urgent distress.