Types of meditation: Are you in the mood to experiment?
Before looking at types of meditation, do need a good place to start? Then go
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No matter which of the types of meditation you prefer, meditation is good for you
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The Science of Meditation |
Some variations on the theme of meditation that are acknowledged universally include
transcendental meditationl (or the issues around it being a
trance based meditation or not
), vipassana meditation, prayer, Zen meditation, Taoist meditation,
mindfulness meditation, and Buddhist meditation. A number of these may call for the body remaining absolutely still or to be moved with controlled deliberation. Other types of meditation will permit free movement of the body. Although aware of the various types, the sole purpose of each is of course to train our hectic mind to quieter, freeing our psyche of stress and worry drawing on quiet contemplation and reflection.
A further difference in types of mediation lies in the orientation toward
concentration or not. You get types of mediation where the individual is required to be able to concentrate for extended periods of time and types of mediation where typically the individual is set in the lotus or other type of meditation position.
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The Lotus position |
The types of meditation which requires concentration is really why people have misconceptions of meditation. However, there are clearly concentration techniques that are really
techniques to focus attention rather than concentration (the latter having a negative "work-like" connotation. I found the following list of techniques at the
ABC of Meditation
Types of meditations in which we focus on our body or on physical sensations
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Bodyscan Meditation
Not only do we meditate using our mind but we also meditate to help our body relax. It can be done after different forms of relaxation exercises including yoga and stress management. We are able to be fully aware of our bodies needs thus helping us reduce any physical pain we experience.
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A Meditation to Steer your Breath through your Body
This Meditation Technique concentrates on our breathing aspect, helping us concentrate and observe better. When we are more relaxed, we tend to think deeper and our only focus would be having a really peaceful Meditation. We are also aware of how we feel especially physical pains like arthritis and the like.
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Types of meditations based on our Breathing
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Count your Breaths Meditation
We count our every breathing in and breathing out as another form of Meditation. We can do this exercise even when we are just walking. This exercise also helps us reduce stress from work or other forms of pressure and likewise, can give you a clear and peaceful mind.
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Healing Breath Meditation
A Meditation that focuses on your breathing and how it can improve your health. This exercise requires you to concentrate as this not only helps you meditate and create a peaceful energy in you but that it is also a very good breathing exercise. A Meditation and an exercise all rolled into one.
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Types of meditation based on an object
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The Flame Meditation
A kind of Meditation that uses any object to help one concentrate better by focusing only on that object. By doing so, you are more focused on that particular object, keeping you far away from any negative vibes as you dwell deeper and deeper.
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Types of meditation in which we focus on a sound, a word, or a sentence
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Mantra Meditation
In this kind of meditation, you can use any kind of mantra. Even those that you have read or one that you originally made can be used. A very positive mantra can be a really effective form of Meditation. A positive energy can give you a positive outlook in life.
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The institue for applied meditation has a very nice list of types of mediation (in contrasting style), which I list below.
Types of meditation: Upward vs. Downward
Upward
The aim of upward meditation is to lift consciousness out of
the body, an imperfect container for the pure light of consciousness.
To reverse the "gravity pull of consciousness" a powerful upward force in
the spine, called "Kundalini", is used. By triggering Kundalini,
Samadhi may be attained, which is an awareness of non-physical reality at the
cost of physical consciousness. Detachment and disassociation results.
| Downward
The aim of Heart Rhythm Meditation is to pull the richness of the
universe into the person, and anchor it in the heart. The downward flow of
energy, called "Love", collects in the heart and causes
an expansion of the heart faculty. This results in massive creativity,
courage and compassion. It fosters the descent
of blessing and grace upon the person.
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Types of meditation: Mind vs. Heart Centered
Mind-Centered
This type of meditation does not use emotion.
The goal is sometimes described as having no thought.
| Heart-Centered
Heart-centered meditation is emotion-rich.
The goal is to experience all emotion, simultaneously,
which requires and causes an expanded emotional capacity (heart).
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Types of meditation: Monastic vs. In-Life
Monastic
The motivation for these meditations is to explore the great
mystery of death, before death, so as to overcome all fear of death
and suffering. These meditations were developed in monasteries or
ashrams, for solitary use. They can make living in the world more difficult,
as sensitivity is increased.
| In-Life
These meditations can be done in life and pertain to life.
They come from the desire to explore what it is to be human, and
what is the purpose of life. They overcome the fear of being fully alive.
While they increase compassion, they also increase the power and creativity to
solve problems.
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Types of meditation: Observer vs. Lover
Observer
"Watch your thoughts, watch your emotions,
watch your consciousness." -- this is a Buddhist precept.
Becoming adept at this causes an observer attitude toward yourself and
life in general.
| Lover
The first stage of practice, called "Concentration" is
focused attention on the heart, while the second through fifth stages are
performed through direct experience of physical sensation, emotion
and vision. The goal is to be a fully-engaged lover, not a detached observer.
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Types of meditation: Passive vs. Active
Passive
The meditator tries to do nothing.
The mind is unfocused, neutral, making no judgments. Most beginning
meditators assume this is the objective and the method.
This is a difficult method that usually lapses into daydreaming or sleep.
Example:
Listening to scientifically-produced tones to induce brain waves
that mimic meditation.
(This does not have the same effect as when the brain produces these
waves within itself.)
| Active
The Heart Rhythm Meditator is actively pursuing a goal
in the meditation. The mind is used as a lens to focus the infinite into the
finite. The objective is to be able to be in a self-produced meditation state
all the time, everywhere.
What comes out of you is more important than what goes into you. Peace is not
to be found; it is to be made. The meditator generates waves of peace
that bring situations and other people into harmony.
Turning on the heart is much easier than turning off the mind.
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Types of meditation: Fantasy-based vs. Reality-based
Fantasy-based
In fantasy, you imagine you are in
some other place, or are a different type of person or being.
This is done to make the conditions for meditation more auspicious,
although it deprecates one's actual situation.
| Reality-based
Imagination is limited to what can
be verified as true, but cannot be sensed directly, like the
magnetic field and the light of the stars in daytime.
The goal of this meditation is the discovery of reality, so
no fantasy is used.
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Types of meditation: Trance vs. Awakening
Trance
An altered state of consciousness in which sensory awareness,
alertness or memory are diminished can be induced by
very rhythmic chanting, suggestions of deep sleep, or
demands of submission. This can be a dramatic shift from ordinary
consciousness, demonstrating that
different states exist and producing a calm emotion.
Examples: Hypnosis, long sessions of mindless chanting.
| Awakening
Sensory awareness, alertness and memory are heightened as
inspiration and revelation spring from the heart.
When chanting, the rhythm is frequently changed, with
the aim to constantly improve the sound and the coordination with
others. Submission is never demanded. Sleepiness is overcome by
increased oxygenation.
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Types of meditation: Denial or Dualistic vs. Inclusive
Denial or Dualistic
"My body is not me." "My true being is not suffering."
"I battle with my ego." "I want relief from my mind."
"The good in me overwhelms the bad."
"I want to stop my negative emotions."
Divisions are made
within the one universe to create contrast, but the divisions
distort the unified nature of reality.
| Inclusive
There is only one reality, and that reality is unified.
"There is nothing I am not. All parts of me have a purpose and
a contribution. My mind is a wonderful servant.
Without my ego I could not take responsibility.
My distortions push me forward while my ideal pulls me forward.
My objective is to be fully human, not angelic."
The heart contains all joy and all sorrow -- hide one and both
disappear.
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Types of meditation: Religious vs. Heart Rhythm
Religious
Specific religious leaders -- masters, saints and prophets --
are used for inspiration and devotion.
| Heart Rhythm
Loved ones and all inspired and devoted human beings
are used for inspiration and devotion in Heart Rhythm Meditation.
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What are the types of meditation then?
It seems that depending on what angle you come from, there are a variety. In my mind it can be classified into the folloing categories:
- Religion based (e.g. Zen, Buddist, Christian, etc.)
- Concentration based, requiring the mind to focus attention either breathing, body, environmental sounds and smells, etc. (e.g. Mindfulness exercises, breathing meditation, etc.)
- Mantra based meditation, where the mind is lead astray through a mantr, which is aimed at taking your attention away from the stream of thoughs (e.g. Transcendental Meditation being the most common)l
Of course there can be cross pollenation of types of meditation i.e. Religion based meditation may use concentration based or mantra based types of meditation or mantra based meditation may be religion based or not (see my comments on transcendental meditation elsewhere on this site).
In the end it doesn't matter which of the types of meditation you use. They all have the same objective:
"To stop the continuous stream of thoughts in your mind, allowing you to see through the veil of thoughts and getting in touch with your true being, which is pure consciousness"
So there are three key elements to achieving this pure consciousness::
- Quiet Mind: With meditation, your thinking mind becomes quiet. You stop focusing on the stressors of your day or your life’s problems, as well as solving these problems. You just let that voice in your head be quiet, which is easier said than done. For example, start thinking about nothing now. If you’re not practiced at quieting your mind, it probably didn’t take long before thoughts crept in. One example that Eckhart Tolle always gives is to think of a thought a mouse hiding in a mouse-hole. You are the cat and are quietly sitting waiting, like a cat waiting for mouse to come out it's hole. You are just being, waiting for the next thought. Try that, you'll be amazed.
- Being In The Now: Rather than focusing on the past or the future, virtually all meditative pracgtices involve focusing on right now. This involves experiencing each moment and letting it go, experiencing the next. This, too, takes practice, as many of us live most of our lives thinking toward the future or relishing and rehashing the past. This is not per se a meditation technique as a state of being, it just helps to try this using meditation.
- Altered State of Consciousness: With the quiet mind and focus on the present, comes an altered level of consciousness that isn’t a sleeping state but isn’t quite your average wakeful state, either. Meditation increases brain activity in an area of the brain associated with happiness and positive thoughts and emotions, and some evidence shows that regular practice brings prolonged positive changes in these areas.
So with all of that here are some further types of meditation from which you can choose whatever suits your style.
Types of Meditative Techniques:
There are many different ways to meditate. Here I’ll mention some basic categories of meditation techniques so you can understand some of the main options and how they differ from one another. This is not an exhaustive list, but it can give you some ideas.
- Basic Meditation Techniques: This involves sitting in a comfortable position and just trying to quiet your mind by thinking of nothing. It’s not always easy to do this if you don’t have practice with it. But a good way to begin is to think of yourself as an ‘observer of your thoughts,’ just noticing what the narrative voice in your head says, but not engaging it. As thoughts materialize in your mind, just let them go. That’s the basic idea.
- Focused Meditation Techniques: With this technique, you focus on something intently, but don’t engage your thoughts about it. You can focus on something visual, like a statue; something auditory, like a metronome or tape of ocean waves; something constant, like your own breathing; or a simple concept, like ‘unconditional compassion’. Some people find it easier to do this than to focus on nothing, but the idea is the same -- staying in the present moment and circumventing the constant stream of commentary from your conscious mind, and allowing yourself to slip into an altered state of consciousness.
- Activity-Oriented Meditation Techniques: With this type of meditation, you engage in a repetitive activity, or one where you can get ‘in the zone’ and experience ‘flow.’ Again, this quiets the mind, and allows your brain to shift. Activities like gardening, creating artwork, or practicing yoga can all be effective forms of meditation.
- Mindfulness Techniques: Mindfulness can be a form of meditation that, like activity-oriented meditation, doesn’t really look like meditation. It simply involved staying in the present moment rather than thinking about the future or the past. (Again, this is more difficult than it seems!) Focusing on sensations you feel in your body is one way to stay ‘in the now;’ focusing on emotions and where you feel them in your body (not examining why you feel them, but just experiencing them as sensations) is another.
- Spiritual Meditating: Meditation can also be a spiritual practice. Many people experience meditation as a form of prayer - the form where God 'speaks,' rather than just listening. That’s right, many people experience ‘guidance’ or inner wisdom once the mind is quiet, and meditate for this purpose. You can meditate on a singular question until an answer comes (though some would say this is engaging your thinking mind too much), or meditate to clear their mind and accept whatever comes that day.
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Here's a list of weird types of mediation that I came accross:
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