Types Of

Meditation

Overview• The simple concept of meditation becomes more and more

complicated when it comes in interaction with science and religion.

• Here, you will find easiest categorization of all the different types of meditation.

Types Of Meditation According To Science

1. Concentrative Meditation2. Open Awareness Meditation3. Mindfulness Meditation4. Guided Meditation

Types of meditation according to religion 1. Buddhist meditation vipassana meditation Zazen meditation Mindfulness meditation Metta meditation

3. Chinese meditation Taoist meditation Qi gong meditation

2. Hindu meditation• Yoga meditation• Mantra meditation• Transcandantional meditation• I am meditation

4. Christian meditation• Contemplative prayer• Contemplative reading

First……have a look at scientific types

Concentrative meditation• This is the meditation practice which can be performed

as concentrating or focusing your mind on the particular object The object can be any thing like breathe, mantra, visualization(god or spiritual mentor), sound, part of your body and any external object.as the practitioner practices this method he feels his mind more concentrated and less distracted with the external thoughts and objects. once you get used to with this practice you feel more relaxed and focused.by this practice you can easily catch your attention towards any work and object that you want and improve your productivity.

Open awareness meditation• In This practice you don’t have to focus your mind on any

particular object but you have to be aware about whatever is happening inside and outside your mind. you have to be aware about your each thought, emotions that arises and feelings, you have to monitor them without judging and without getting involved. you also have to be aware about whatever• Is happening around you but you just have to let the things

go.Often this awareness is compared to the spacious sky or a river with objects floating by. The capacity to be present with whatever arises is developed through this practice. 

Mindfulness meditation• Mindfulness is all about being in the present moment.it

also stands for awareness of the surroundings. Mindfulness is all about being mentally present during any of the activity you are doing in your regular life. mindfulness meditation is the combination of concentrative meditation and open awareness meditation.it is widely accepted concept of meditation especially in western countries. The roots of real mindfulness meditation is in Buddhism but it's common form is bitter different from traditional Buddhist meditations.

Guided meditation• Guided meditation is the basic form of modern meditation which

leads you to the mental peaceful state by guidance or illustration of an expert.as the name shows guided meditation is the meditation where someone helps you the meditate or controlling your mind step by step guidance. guided meditation is usually available in audio or video format as per the requirement.• Guided meditation has various methods and all the kind of

meditation can be guided. Major Buddhist and Hindu meditations are available in guided forms.the guided meditation is practiced for different purposes like relaxation, self improvement, healing and non evaluating attitude etc. But we classify the guided meditation according to the modern practices which is derived from the common methods from all the different types of meditations.

Guided meditationTypes of guided meditation

• Guided imaginary• Guided body scan techniques

Now,take a look at traditional types of meditation

Vipassana meditation• Vipassana meditation also known as "insight

meditation" has created its own existence in the Asian as well as western countries. Vipassana is the most famous Buddhist meditation technique along with mindfulness meditation(actually it is one part of vipassana).vipassana word stands for "insight" or we can say "insight seeing". Vipassana is particularly insight meditation but it is being practiced as mindfulness meditation in beginning in western countries.

• Check out brief description at vipassana meditation

Zazen meditation• Zen meditation is widely famous as zazen and deeply connected

with Buddhist traditions. "zazen" is particularly stands for "seated meditation". There are many aspects in zazen meditation that we should care about while doing this such as posture of sitting and thinking of min

Types of zazen1. Concentration2. Koan introspection3. ShikantazaCheck brief description at zazen meditation

Mindfulness meditation• Mindfulness meditation is the new version of old

Buddhist meditation which became famous in western countries as mindfullness.it is the most popular meditation technique in united states. mindfulness is the common western translation of Buddhist word "sati"."anapanasati" (mindfulness of breathing) is the part of Buddhist vipassana meditation or insight meditation.• Mindfulness stands for awareness. Its all about being in

present moment.it is not only the seating and being aware, it is also about being aware in our day to day life. We have to get out of "automatic mode" for being mindful.

Check out brief description at mindfulness meditation

Metta meditation• Metta meditation is also known as loving kindness meditation.

Metta is the pali word which stands for kindness.• "Compassion meditation" is a modern scientific field that

demonstrates the efficacy of metta and related meditative practices. Simple definition of metta meditation is being well to every thing and everyone. Metta meditation comes from the traditions of Visuddhimagga.• this meditation technique will definitely help you to be well

being with people and your relationships.

Check out brief description at metta meditation

Mantra meditation• Mantra meditation is the objective Hinduism meditation which

is based on particular mantra or word. We have to focus on the mantra during the meditation by repeating it in our mind.simpaly we have to use mantra as our object of focusing our attention.• there are several mantras available for this kind of meditation

like Om,So ham,Rama,Yam,Ham and Om namah sivaya.•  Om is the widely famous mantra in this meditation that's why

sometimes people call this "om meditation". om is just an one mantra which is used in this kind of meditation.

Check out brief description at mantra meditation

Transcendental meditation• Transcendental meditation is founded by maharishi mahes yogi

in 1955. Transcendental meditation is just same as mantra meditation but it is developed as particular type because of its fame and little specification. This is widely practiced meditation type with more than 5 million practitioners worldwide.• Transcendental meditation is only taught by licenced teachers

of tm site.it is not free. You have to pay money but their support is good.it is totally based on mantra given by tm guides and these mantras are not meaningless sounds but usually these words are irrelevant to new practitioners.

Check out brief description at transcendental meditation

Yoga meditation• Yoga meditation is the widely practiced Indian form of

meditation with several types and techniques. Yoga is the physical, mental and spiritual practice of discipline. yoga meditation is the mind controlling techniques threw the body control(physical control).Yoga is the practice of attaining physical and mental health through meditation and physical exercise.it contains some exercises and physical postures that practitioner should practice regularly.

Check out brief description at yoga meditation

Yoga meditation (continues)

Types of yoga meditations:

1)chakra meditation2)third eye meditation3)kundalini yoga4)kriya yoga5)raja yoga6)trataka7)pranayama8)Nada yoga

I am meditationI am meditation is also known as “self inquiry” meditation and it is founded by “ramana maharshi” from India.I am meditation is little different from other prctices  but it is also the esiest one.The explanation of I am meditation is bit descriptive.so lets see what “I am meditation” really is…By taking “I” as the object..We all live in this world in order to find real happiness,peace and the real moral value of the life.we have two options1)lets change the whole universe according to your requirement of happiness.2)adjust your mind in the state where you are happy with your self and let the external world be as it is.From this two options we can clearly understand that first option is next to impossible for us to apply. And by moving on the second option you will find the real meaning of “I am meditation”.

• Cheak out brief description at I am meditation

Taoist meditation• Taoist meditation is also known as "Daoist meditation" it comes from

the traditions of "Daoism"(the religion of china) religion which involves different techniques of meditation. Daoism involves meditation techniques related to concentration, mindfulness, contemplation, and visualization. Taoist meditation is historically interrelated with Buddhist meditation techniques.•  There are several types of Taoist meditation which can be described

in three categories.• 1)insight• 2)concentrative• 3)visaulizationCheck out brief description at Taoist meditaton

Qi gong meditation• Qi gong is also famous as chi kung and it stands for

"Life Energy Cultivation". Qi gong is very famous types of Chinese meditation as it's practice typically involves moving meditation, coordinating slow flowing movement, deep rhythmic breathing, and calm meditative state of mind. Qigong is traditionally viewed as a practice to cultivate and balance qi (chi) or what has been translated as "life energy".• Qi gong practices involves several methods as

mentioned below. Qi gong practiced as physical as well as mental forms as but in all the kind of practices the basic meditation is must needed.

Check out brief description at Qi gong meditaton

Christian meditation• Christian meditation is totally different from other

traditional eastern practices like hinduam,buddisam,taoism and .Christian meditation is rooted in bible. This meditation don’t teach you controlling your mind, it leads you to "be in god" or turn your mind towards god. Christian meditation teaches you to follow the god.• Christian meditation involves methods of contemplative

prayer(christian prayers),contemplative reading(moral thought of bible) and focusing your mind in god/christ.

Check out brief description at Christian meditaton

That’s allNow you have a clear visual about what the different kind of meditations are……for the practical practices of all the meditations please visit the links given at every meditation type or simply visit my site

Bestmeditationtechniques.net

Thank you