When it comes to meditation, how do you know which type will work the best for you? Even Western doctors these days are recommending meditation to their patients, as it will help to increase general health: nutrition for the soul, as it were. Six different types of meditation will be outlined in this article with suggestions on how to employ these practices in your daily life.
Mindfulness Meditation, or Vipassana, has roots in Buddhist traditions. This may be the most popular and well-known form of meditation in the western world, and it is based on a detachment from thoughts and an awareness of breath. You should not try to limit your thoughts (rather simply practice detaching from each one as they arise) nor control your breath (instead just notice your breathing pattern).
Zen meditation, formally known as Zazen, is also rooted in Buddhist tradition and is commonly recognized as "to just sit." It is minimal in form and is practiced while seated in correct posture and focusing your thoughts for long periods of time. It was developed for a monastic setting, and with little guidance offered otherwise, true Zen meditation may be quite hard to achieve.
Similar to Zen meditation there is Transcendental Meditation, however this is rooted in the Hindu tradition. Also practiced by sitting in either the Lotus or half-Lotus posture, a specifically chosen mantra or sacred word is mentally repeated over and over again. The particular focus is to rise above all that is impermanent in hopes of eventually achieving an out-of-body experience. Focus on breath is also important.
Another form of Hindu meditation is Kundalini. The objective of this type of meditation is to become aware of the constantly rising stream of energy that exists in the body, coursing through the chakra energy system. Focus on breath is important as each breath is used to move the energy upward in the body towards the crown chakra.
Heart-Rhythm Meditation focuses on the breath and heartbeat, attempting to make the rhythms of both full, deep, rich and balanced. The focus is to identify oneself with the heart and make that the center of your energetic system, with an objective of increasing your power, sensitivity and compassion.
Another type of meditation popular in the Western world is guided visualization. Concentration and focus are placed upon certain, specific imagery or an imagined peaceful environment. This particular type of meditation has no established roots in one spiritual tradition, and it is often accompanied by a guided meditation recording.
Over time, you will eventually discover which of these types of meditation works the best for you, and just remember that consistent practice is the only way to achieve true results.
Mindfulness Meditation, or Vipassana, has roots in Buddhist traditions. This may be the most popular and well-known form of meditation in the western world, and it is based on a detachment from thoughts and an awareness of breath. You should not try to limit your thoughts (rather simply practice detaching from each one as they arise) nor control your breath (instead just notice your breathing pattern).
Zen meditation, formally known as Zazen, is also rooted in Buddhist tradition and is commonly recognized as "to just sit." It is minimal in form and is practiced while seated in correct posture and focusing your thoughts for long periods of time. It was developed for a monastic setting, and with little guidance offered otherwise, true Zen meditation may be quite hard to achieve.
Similar to Zen meditation there is Transcendental Meditation, however this is rooted in the Hindu tradition. Also practiced by sitting in either the Lotus or half-Lotus posture, a specifically chosen mantra or sacred word is mentally repeated over and over again. The particular focus is to rise above all that is impermanent in hopes of eventually achieving an out-of-body experience. Focus on breath is also important.
Another form of Hindu meditation is Kundalini. The objective of this type of meditation is to become aware of the constantly rising stream of energy that exists in the body, coursing through the chakra energy system. Focus on breath is important as each breath is used to move the energy upward in the body towards the crown chakra.
Heart-Rhythm Meditation focuses on the breath and heartbeat, attempting to make the rhythms of both full, deep, rich and balanced. The focus is to identify oneself with the heart and make that the center of your energetic system, with an objective of increasing your power, sensitivity and compassion.
Another type of meditation popular in the Western world is guided visualization. Concentration and focus are placed upon certain, specific imagery or an imagined peaceful environment. This particular type of meditation has no established roots in one spiritual tradition, and it is often accompanied by a guided meditation recording.
Over time, you will eventually discover which of these types of meditation works the best for you, and just remember that consistent practice is the only way to achieve true results.
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