Meditation is the key to the inner door of bliss – Ram Dass
Amidst the fast-paced, modern world we inhabit, meditation has garnered significant attention as a means to navigate stress. Moreover, scientific findings have surfaced, underscoring meditation's potential as a valuable resource in combating chronic ailments such as depression, heart disease, and chronic pain.
However, just like there are various reasons why people meditate, there are also present different types of meditation techniques. Familiarizing ourselves with these different techniques empowers us to select the ones that best align with our individual needs and aspirations.
Thus, if you're curious about meditation but unsure how to begin, here are seven different types of meditation practices to explore and find your starting point.
Embark on your meditation journey – 6 meditation styles to get you started
Not all meditation styles resonate with everyone as they demand distinct mindsets and skill sets.
The key lies in finding the meditation style that feels most comfortable and inspires you to practice consistently.
Now, let's delve into the realm of meditation and uncover six distinct types of practices for you to explore.
1. Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness meditation invites us to embrace the present moment with heightened awareness, allowing us to be fully engaged in what we're doing without overreacting to external circumstances.
While it can be practiced in a serene setting by focusing on your breath, and playing calming music for anxiety in the background, mindfulness can also be integrated into our daily routines, such as during our commute or while carrying out household tasks.
By observing our thoughts and emotions without passing judgment, we cultivate a sense of detachment and inner calm.
2. Spiritual Meditation
Spiritual meditation transcends various religions and spiritual traditions, encompassing a diverse array of practices.
Many of the meditation techniques mentioned in this article can be classified as spiritual meditation. A 2017 study highlights that spiritual meditation centers around cultivating a profound comprehension of spiritual or religious significance and forging a connection with a higher power.
Some examples of spiritual meditation may include:
· Christians hymns and prayers
· Hindu mantras
· Sufi dhikrs
Spiritual meditation nurtures spiritual growth and fosters a deeper connection to a higher power, whether practiced at home or in a place of worship.
3. Breath awareness meditation
Breath awareness, a form of mindful meditation, invites practitioners to cultivate a deep connection with their breath. By consciously breathing slowly and deeply while counting each breath, the aim is to sustain unwavering focus on the breath and let go of other passing thoughts.
Similar to mindfulness meditation, breath awareness offers a range of benefits, including reduced anxiety, improved concentration, and enhanced emotional flexibility. Through this practice, individuals can develop a heightened sense of calm, presence, and mental clarity.
Recent music therapy research shows that playing trance or meditative music while meditating can lead to heightened experiences, and better results.
4. Transcendental meditation
Though sounding lofty, transcendental meditation is one of the simplest forms of meditation. In this form of meditation, one selects a meaningful word, phrase, or sound known as a mantra and recites it repeatedly for about 20 minutes, twice a day.
It is recommended to practice mantra meditation in a seated position with closed eyes. Try playing some trance or calming music for anxiety in the background, so that you don’t break your focus.
5. Visualization meditation
Visualization meditation is a powerful technique that aims to cultivate a sense of relaxation, tranquility, and serenity by harnessing the power of the imagination. By vividly visualizing positive scenes, images, or revered figures, practitioners can enhance their overall well-being.
Visualization meditation creates a vivid mental landscape, engaging all senses to enrich the experience. It can include envisioning goals for enhanced focus and motivation.
This practice fosters emotional well-being, reduces stress, and cultivates inner peace, harnessing the mind's creative power to foster positivity and harmony.
6. Guided meditation
Guided meditation, whether through the voice of a live person or a recorded session, provides direction and support during various meditation practices. Unlike self-guided meditation, where the individual's own mind leads the practice, guided meditation offers external guidance.
Guided meditation is particularly helpful for those starting their meditation journey or exploring mindfulness or Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).
Group settings often offer the presence of a live guide, while videos, podcasts, apps, and audio recordings provide accessible options for guided meditation sessions.
Final thoughts
From mindfulness to breath awareness, mantra repetition to visualization, each method offers its unique benefits and invites us to discover the depths of inner peace.
If you have trouble meditating on your own, you can download the Sona app, and stream calming music for anxiety and meditative music to help you concentrate.
According to a new report from the Centers of Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention’s National Centers for Health Statistics (NCHS), within the previous 5 years, 14.2 percent of youngsters and adults in really developed countries like America, Canada, etc. are practicing yoga and meditation every day.
Meditation is a simple and fast way to reduce stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, etc. Spending even a couple of minutes in meditation can re-establish your calm and inner peace. Meditation is the most simple and inexpensive exercise which doesn’t require any specialized equipment. And the best part of practicing meditation is that you can do it wherever you are like during tea breaks at the workplace, walking or during the daily commute.
