Types of Meditations
Some practitioners stick with the same meditations indefinitely, but most people like to mix up the types of meditations they use in order to have a sense of variety. There are many type of meditations one can experiment with. The underlying theme of all is awareness and calm abiding in the present moment.
Researchers generally classify meditations into one of two categories: concentrative meditations and non-concentrative meditations. I personally like to use the terms analytical and single pointed meditation.
Single pointed (Concentrative meditations) involve concentrating deeply on one focal point (e.g. on breath.
Analytical meditation (non-concentrative meditations) can involve different points of focus, but still involve deep, non-judgmental concentration.
Some meditations can even seem to fit into both categories. Many beginners find Single pointed meditation to be a little simpler to learn.
Some examples of different types of meditative techniques are as following. All of these entail mindfulness.
Walking meditation - You don’t have to be seated or still to meditate. In walking meditation, mindfulness involves being focused on the physicality of each step — the sensation of your feet touching the ground, the rhythm of your breath while moving, and feeling the elements against your body.
Mindful eating – If you reach for food when you’re under stress or gulp your meals down in a rush, which causes acidity and discomfort later on. One should eat mindfully. Sit down at the table and focus your full attention on the meal (no TV, newspapers, or eating on the run). Eat slowly, taking the time to fully enjoy and concentrate on each bite. Experience the taste, texture and flavor of what you are eating.
As you become more experienced with your meditative practice you can further explore other types of meditations which can enhance your practice such as, Visualizations, Healing meditation, Compassion meditation, Present moment meditation, Kundalini meditation and many others.
Some practitioners stick with the same meditations indefinitely, but most people like to mix up the types of meditations they use in order to have a sense of variety. There are many type of meditations one can experiment with. The underlying theme of all is awareness and calm abiding in the present moment.
Researchers generally classify meditations into one of two categories: concentrative meditations and non-concentrative meditations. I personally like to use the terms analytical and single pointed meditation.
Single pointed (Concentrative meditations) involve concentrating deeply on one focal point (e.g. on breath.
Analytical meditation (non-concentrative meditations) can involve different points of focus, but still involve deep, non-judgmental concentration.
Some meditations can even seem to fit into both categories. Many beginners find Single pointed meditation to be a little simpler to learn.
Some examples of different types of meditative techniques are as following. All of these entail mindfulness.
Walking meditation - You don’t have to be seated or still to meditate. In walking meditation, mindfulness involves being focused on the physicality of each step — the sensation of your feet touching the ground, the rhythm of your breath while moving, and feeling the elements against your body.
Mindful eating – If you reach for food when you’re under stress or gulp your meals down in a rush, which causes acidity and discomfort later on. One should eat mindfully. Sit down at the table and focus your full attention on the meal (no TV, newspapers, or eating on the run). Eat slowly, taking the time to fully enjoy and concentrate on each bite. Experience the taste, texture and flavor of what you are eating.
As you become more experienced with your meditative practice you can further explore other types of meditations which can enhance your practice such as, Visualizations, Healing meditation, Compassion meditation, Present moment meditation, Kundalini meditation and many others.
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