When you're getting started with meditation, is it helpful to listen to guided meditations? I found some guided meditation mp3's available for download at the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center, and a longer guided vipassana meditation by Joseph Goldstein.
It might be helpful if your mind is so wild that you never return to your breath in your entire sitting, and need someone outside to remind you to. In other situations I think it may distract you from your self-observation.
Related to: Understanding vipassana meditation, Vipassana Meditation: Developing Meta-Feeling Skills
This is a place to discuss experiences and problems related to practicing vipassana meditation. This space can also be used to organize meditation events or retreats.