Article # 282. The Different Types of Meditation

Different types of Medetation

Meditation is almost indispensable in today’s world of strife and competition. Different meditation types are used in Yoga along with the practice of Asanas and Pranayamas. Whichever practice you choose from various meditation types, it is necessary to put it into a regular schedule. Success and bliss in spiritual field comes through practice and patience. Let's venture to peep into some aspects of meditation types that are prevalent in present scenario:

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 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.

Transcendental Meditation

This is the most debated and researched one among the meditation types. This meditation type helps in increasing intelligence and creativity. In this technique, you need not to master difficult breathing techniques or some special postures. You just need to concentrate by sitting in a relaxed posture or even on a chair.  

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 do 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.