Hannah Grace
Meditation is more than a popular method of achieving inner peace by sitting in silence with your eyes closed. It’s a practice involving a set of techniques designed to obtain many benefits other than a state of calm. There are a lot of meditation types to choose from, but you can get started with these five well-known ones:
Guided Meditation
If you are new to meditation, you might want to try this type. Through a trainers’s verbal instruction or a recording, you are led into a state of relaxed concentration. Using mental imagery, you focus on specific parts of your body until they are comfortable. Common visualizations include imagining a ball of healing light, erasing negative thoughts, and picturing a desired goal. In surrendering control of your mind, you get to understand your mind and harness your innate power to heal or grow. Guided meditation is good for stress, anxiety, mood swings, low self-esteem and a lot more.
Mantra Meditation
‘Mantra’ means words or sound vibrations repeated for a constant period of time to bring about an aim such as healing, creativity, or a higher state of consciousness. Whether spoken quietly or out loud, mantras help you direct your attention so you can replace unhelpful thoughts and feelings with positive ones. Mantra meditation empowers you. You change from a self-critical person to someone who accepts himself as he is.
Movement Meditation
Do you have a hard time staying still for long? You can meditate while using your body. Walking, dancing, tai chi, and martial arts are only some of the physical activities involved in this meditation type. As you move, you practice mindfulness. Your motions guide you and free you from any bodily tension.
Mindfulness Meditation
Rooted in Buddhist teaching, mindfulness teaches you to be in constant, non-judgmental self-awareness. Instead of emptying your mind, you observe and embrace thoughts and feelings that come to you. You then let go of your current burdens, knowing that you can’t control every situation you face. Mindfulness meditation can help reduce your stress, make you less emotionally sensitive, and even treat your anxiety or addictions.
Zen Meditation
This meditation type is known for its technique of “thinking about not thinking”. Without focusing on a specific object, you reflect inward as you keep yourself from distracting thoughts. You concentrate on your breathing alone. Zen meditation enables you to tap into your subconscious and discover the mind’s true nature and inherent clarity. As a result, you become a much more self-aware person.
Meditation is a lifestyle. It’s an ongoing process that guarantees transformation if you stick to it. You don’t have to meditate everyday and how long you do is not a priority. Meditation should make you feel pleasant, not pressured. Try out different types and research further if necessary until you find one that works for you. Meditation is also a form of self-care. Make a habit of practicing it.
Can you relate? Share your thoughts below about the meditation types . We’d love to hear them!
