Sonia Gallagher

What Type of Meditation Technique is Right for Me?

Learn how you can choose the right meditation technique for yourself today.

What Type of Meditation Technique is Right for Me?

There are a number of definitions that describe meditation.  Perhaps the best one is simply to say that meditation means ‘awareness’.  Meditation techniques allow a person to achieve an awareness of self.  More to the point, Meditation techniques focus the mind to pass the clutter of thoughts and jumbled thinking patterns.  The idea is to be able to think clearer and become more relaxed.  All Meditation techniques allow us to accomplish this.

The stresses of life can have a dramatic effect on us.  As we attempt to deal with all the various problems that come our way, we are mentally worn down.  Much in the same way our bodies need proper exercise to remain healthy, so do our minds need proper stimulation to stay efficient.  By becoming better attuned with our consciousness, we achieve this.  In fact, practicing meditation techniques is really the only way to permanently accomplish this endeavor.  Meditation, if done properly, will free our minds of burdensome and chaotic thought patterns.  Who doesn’t want to be less stressed and more focused?

Ok, so basically meditation techniques will help you become more relaxed, think clearer, concentrate better and more.  But these things in and of themselves are not meditation.  Concentrating on something is not meditation.  Finding one self in a relaxing position is not meditation.  Performing certain poses by themselves is not meditation.  Rather, depending on different meditation techniques, these are some of the means that facilitate meditation.  There are a number of meditation techniques that will help a person achieve the fruits of meditation.

One of the better known meditation techniques is Zen Meditation.  This meditation technique was developed by Zen monks.  Zen meditation is about achieving a state of absolute stillness and emptiness.   While Zen meditation techniques are regarded as some of the easiest and most effective to perform, they take time and effort to master.  This meditation technique is centered on sitting in the lotus position to achieve a stillness of thought.

Another well known meditation technique is Mantra Meditation.  Mantra is a form of meditation that many people tend to associate with when they first envision what meditation is in their minds.  Mantra meditation techniques involve chanting or ‘mantra repetition.’  This is a meditation technique that achieves a state of awareness through the use of sound. In fact, one of the most popular meditation techniques in the United States – transcendental meditation – is basically a mantra form of meditation.

A third well known meditation technique is Vipassana.  Vipassana is a Buddhist technique that focuses on breathing.  If we consider the fact that breathing is an every moment occurrence and a necessity for living, then we can begin to see how concentrating on this aspect of life can have a significance.  Vipassana is a meditation technique that essentially teaches one to be aware of their breathing, from which (when done properly) there is a state of awareness that is attained.

There are many other techniques that are available.  These three just happen to be the most well known and practiced in the west.  What you will notice is that all three have the same goal in mind – which is to attain a higher state of awareness.  Remember, one of the most common purposes of meditation is to become better aware of the self, which in turn, produces a healthier mind.  It’s interesting that regardless of the differences between meditation techniques, the goal remains the same.

The differences in the meditation techniques actually just point to the various ways that the goal of awareness can be achieved.  Really, it’s all just a matter of a point of focus and concentration.  Nevertheless, whether the meditation technique used focuses on sitting, breathing or chants, it all leads to a better state of mind.  Find the meditation technique that fits you and get started!

Sonia Gallagher is a recovering workaholic attorney.  Read the rest of this article series and learn to meditate today! 

Article Tags: Meditation Technique, Meditation Techniques, Known Meditation, Well Known

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