Types of Meditation – Part 1

Introduction

Vipassana Meditation is the gift to human kind by Buddha. In this meditation the meditator sees things as they are. We will discuss in this part nine types of meditations and their applications.

The most ancient type of mediation, 2500 old in age, still available to humankind is Vipassana. Hindu meditations are quite different when compared to this type of meditation.

Types of meditations
Nine types of different meditations are listed below:
1. Mindfulness meditation.
2. Spiritual meditation.
3. Focused meditation.
4. Movement meditation.
5. Mantra meditation.
6. Transcendental meditation.
7. Progressive relaxation.
8. Loving-kindness meditation.
9. Visualization meditation

Mindfulness meditation
Interestingly, this meditation is preached from the teachings of Buddha. In this type of meditation, one observes the thoughts. Thoughts comes and goes the observer just observes the thoughts. They are like passing clouds. There will be a pattern in thoughts and the observer tries to follow that pattern.
This type of meditation can be done without a facilitator or a teacher.

Spiritual meditation
This type of meditation is practiced by Hindus, Christians and people belonging to other faiths. In holy places like temples and churches this meditation can be practiced to enhance the spiritual growth of an individual.

Focused meditation
As the name suggests in this type, concentration of five senses is very essential. In Hinduism, rishis use a certain number, usually 108, of beads to count again and again, with uttering a mantra. This practice is referred as Japa and the beads are called Japa mala. The point here is to focus mind on one thing, if the mind looses concentration or wanders to other things, they again redo whole process.

Movement Meditation
This meditation involves movement. If all other are passive forms of meditation, this is an active form. The observer can mediate in a moving train or bus or even while walking. In other words, while doing regular work one can meditate. To summarize people who want mind to wander and still finds peace in action.

Mantra meditation
Chanting a mantra in meditation is referred to this type. The mantra can be loudly chanted or can chanted without sound. Chanting mantra makes ones mind concentrate and awareness increases to greater levels.

Transcendental meditation
In this meditation, meditator possess beyond ordinary or common experience of mind. The observer uses a series of words of his choice like mantra meditation, but these words need not signify anything.

Progressive relaxation
To reduce tension and enhance relaxation people prefer this type of meditation. In this practice, one group of muscles will be slowly tightened and released. The basic point is relaxation should be given to the body.

Loving-kindness meditation
The soft feelings of compassion, kindness, love need to enhanced and extended to oneself and other persons. Open mindness is required and a series of good feelings should be expressed.

Visualization meditation
A progression of good thoughts by visualization enables this type of meditation. One need to visualize and use his five sensory organs to add flavor to it. People visualize before hand what they wanted and it turns out to be real later on.

Conclusion Various types of meditations techniques are discussed.