There are many types of meditation. Some of them have been practiced thousands of years ago. Some of the newer types have evolved from ancient ones. Sometimes, you have to try different types of meditation to find the one that’s right for you. Some of the main types are Zen meditation, Buddhist meditation, Mindfulness and Transcendental meditation. Keep reading to find out more about each type.
Zen Meditation
Zen basically means sitting in prescribed positions that will help you concentrate on meditating faster, easier, and in a relaxed condition. The two main props used for Zen meditation are called zafu and zabuton. The zabuton is a mat placed on the floor. The zafu is a cushion that is placed on top of the zabuton. They can help to take the pressure off your legs whilst you meditate. With your bottom on the pillow and two knees touching the ground, you form a tripod base that gives three hundred and sixty-degree stability.
The sitting positions are called lotus, half lotus or other related positions. It means placing one foot against the other leg or thigh. This sitting position can help you maintain a straight posture that helps you breath properly while maintaining balance. Zen helps to close your mind to thought and images and, after a period of time, your heart rate will slow, your breathing will become shallow, and you will pass into a reflective meditative state.
Zen meditation helps you to have deliberate thoughts, contemplation, and reflection that will create a synergy that connects all aspects of your body, mind and soul. It helps you to think of the present; not past or future. This means you don’t think of what anyone did to you or how to get your next meal. Zen helps you to eliminate all that.
Buddhist Meditation
Buddhists pursue meditation as part of the path toward Enlightenment and Nirvana. Their technique has become increasingly popular in the wider world, with many non-Buddhists taking them up for a variety of reasons. Research findings have proved that it can help to calm people. For example; researchers at University of California San Francisco medical center have found that Buddhist meditation can tame the amygdala, an area of the brain which is the hub of fear memory. Conscientious Buddhists are known to be really happy due to the way their meditation is carried out.
Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness is the art of becoming deeply aware of what is here right now, without judging yourself. It is a practice Buddhists call vipassana or insight meditation. You focus on what’s happening in and around you at this very moment, and become aware of all the thoughts and feelings that are taking your energy from moment to moment.
Mindfulness meditation differs from concentration in one important way. In mindfulness practice, every aspect of experience is welcomed and appreciated while concentration involves the practitioner focusing their attention on a single object. Now that we have a very basic idea of what mindfulness is, let’s see what transcendental meditation is all about.
Transcendental Meditation
Transcendental meditation involves the continuous chanting of a mantra, until a dream-like state of mind is attained. This is useful for those who are easily distracted. Chanting a mantra will prevent your mind from wandering. Once you maintain the proper posture and you do transcendental meditation two times daily; about 15-20 minutes during each session; you will not only reap health benefits, you will also find yourself having peace of mind if done regularly.
The type of practice you decide to go with will determine how best you will enjoy meditating. This is why it is better to select the type that is best aligned with your personality. We have seen how Zen, Buddhist, Mindfulness and Transcendental meditations work. You are now free to select the type that you will enjoy most and that will bring you best results.