Types of Meditations

Why has Meditation become so popular in this day and age?

There’s no doubt we live in a stressful world. Technology is a wonderful aspect of our lives, however, it tends to keep us constantly in high-tension mode.

We have continuous responsibilities bombarding us non-stop with the advent of computers and cell-phones.

Yes it’s wonderful to have information instantaneously at your fingertips and be able to contact someone from just about anywhere at any time.

However, that also means that we are instantly available to anyone at any time for whatever reason. We seldom have a nine to five job that ends at five.

Our world is so chaotic that our attention is scattered and it seems impossible to release all the turmoil and relax.

This is why many people have turned to meditation as a way of releasing stress and improving their health.

Meditation is a way of focusing your attention and focusing your attention is the answer to mastering your life.

Even Medical Institutions, such as the Mayo Clinic are now recommending meditation as a mind-body complementary medicine.

There are many types of meditations.

When the word meditation is mentioned, most people tend to picture the yogic meditative posture, that looks very uncomfortable. However, meditation has expanded to include many ways of creating a relaxed state of being.

Guided meditation

Sometimes called guided imagery or visualization, with this method of meditation you form mental images of places or situations you find relaxing. You try to use as many senses as possible, such as smells, sights, sounds and textures. You may be led through this process by a guide or teacher.

Mantra meditation

In this type of meditation, you silently repeat a calming word, thought or phrase to prevent distracting thoughts.

Qi gong

This practice generally combines meditation, relaxation, physical movement and breathing exercises to restore and maintain balance. Qi gong (CHEE-gung) is part of traditional Chinese medicine.

Tai chi

This is a form of gentle Chinese martial arts. In tai chi (TIE-CHEE), you perform a self-paced series of postures or movements in a slow, graceful manner while practicing deep breathing.

Transcendental meditation

Transcendental meditation is a simple, natural technique. In transcendental meditation, you silently repeat a personally assigned mantra, such as a word, sound or phrase, in a specific way. This form of meditation allows your body to settle into a state of profound rest and relaxation and your mind to achieve a state of inner peace, without needing to use concentration or effort.

Yoga

You perform a series of postures and controlled breathing exercises to promote a more flexible body and a calm mind. As you move through poses that require balance and concentration, you’re encouraged to focus less on your busy day and more on the moment.

Yoni Mudra

• Yoni Mudra is one of the meditation types and it includes following steps:
• This meditation type includes closing your ears with your thumbs.
• Then with your index finger, cover your eyes.
• Use your middle fingers to pinch the nostrils.
• Press your lips together with your remaining fingers.
• While you do meditation, release your middle fingers as you inhale and exhale.

Category Concentration

Category concentration is another one among various meditation types. It helps you make more concentrated about the things that are helpful in meditation. People feel it very difficult to concentrate on one particular thing, and this is where this technique is very beneficial. Category concentrations works by narrowing the objects of concentration, so that your mind is trained to focus better.

Simple Meditation

It is one of the best meditation types that one can start with if one is not accustomed to sitting for long time period focusing on some particular object. You can choose a clean and peaceful place where you can spend 10-20 minutes in silence. Gradually, as you gain more control on your mind and senses, you can increase this time-duration.

Walking Meditation

Walking Meditation is one of the meditation types, which involves your focusing the mind while walking. It is not easy to practice this meditation type, but with practice it can prove to be really beneficial. As clear from the name itself, this type of meditation involves focusing on your own feet. When your mind wanders away from your steps, you need to refocus it again.

Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness meditation is known as Vipassana, and is practiced by Buddhists among many meditation types. The meditation type involves practicing to be aware about the things that you do and the things that happen around you at the very moment. There are mainly four points in it: You have to abstain from the five moral precepts: killing, stealing, lying, sexual misconduct, and use of toxicants. Anapana Meditation is practiced for three and a half days wherein you practice focusing on your breath. For six and half days, purifying the mind is done, which involves self observation. On the last day of the course, you will be allowed to speak and live an extroverted life. The meditation technique closes with the practice of metta bhavana, another part that shares the purity developed with others.

Journey Meditation

This meditation type involves visualization for one to achieve a meditative state. Those who are able to visualize thing early, prefer to choose it among other meditation types. It involves noting the things that cause anxiety, tension, and fatigue. You close your eyes and try to focus to be peaceful about them.

Vibrational Meditation

This meditation type involves repetition of a particular word or a sound that becomes the focal point of the meditation. The vibrations that are produced from the word or sound pass through your body. You have to concentrate on nothing else, but to chant that word or produce the sound again and again. It is one of the most different among various meditation types.

Movement Meditation

Breathing and gentle flowing movements are combined to achieve the meditative state in this meditation type. Playing music or dancing is also allowed in this technique. The basic idea is to get focused in the movement.

Body Scan Meditation

Body scan meditation is very useful for people who do not have any time for other meditation types. You just need to lie down and focus on your body parts right from your toe to your hair.

Breath and Navel Meditation

It is the oldest one recorded in China as well as in India and one of the most famous among other meditation types. It involves control over breath through different breathing techniques. You need to sit in a relaxed posture and concentrate on your breath, nostrils, or even on your abdomen.

Central Channel Meditation

If you are just a beginner and wish to take a crash course on a meditation, then the central channel technique may prove to be the best among other meditation types. This is an ancient Taoist method, which has been modified by Master Han Yu-Mo at his Sun Yang Tao Centers in Canada and Taiwan. Note that after practicing this meditation technique, your head may rock or even your whole body may shake. Do not fear it, as it is a good sign of the effectiveness of your practice.

Resources: mayoclinic.org, spiritualnow.com