The Many Faces and Types of Meditation

Meditation can be as simple as breathing or walking– it can help you combat stress and bring inner peace. Of the many types of meditation, most had their origins in Hinduism and Buddhism, as well as other Eastern Religions.

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Over the past few decades, various types of meditations have made their journey deep into the Western world. No matter what your walk of life - meditation in one way or another is likely to play a part, and in some cases without you even knowing.

The demands and hectic pace of our modern lives has caused many to feel run down, stressed, and over worked. Our days are to short – we can’t seem to find the time to get everything done. The by-products of this hectic pace are frustration and confusion. But if we stop to take a break we will lose valuable time.

However, meditation gives you more time! When you feel less cluttered and confused in your mind, you will be more focused. You will accomplish more will less time because you will be more efficient. Just by using the simple 10 minute breathing meditation described below, you can calm your mind and focus more on the task at hand. You will make fewer mistakes, be more efficient, and achieve more goals just by taking a breather.

The facts are that meditation transforms the mind from negative to positive, from disturbed to peaceful, and from confused to focused. Meditation cultivates constructive thought patterns and can be practiced in any place, at any time, throughout your day. For example, do you take a yoga class? Yoga and its focus on breathing is a form of active meditation. Have you recently done any guided imagery? Guided imagery is a type of meditation, too.

Have you ever taken a few minutes to stop, focus on your breath and just relax? Following your breath in and out is one of the most popular types of meditations. Maybe you have tried using a relaxation book, CD or video for stress reduction? Even some alarm clocks now wake you with “soothing sounds”. Yes, these fall into the meditation category.

Many define meditation as awareness. So, really, anything that is done with awareness can be a meditation - dance, writing, walking, cooking, listening to music. As you perform these activities your mind becomes aware; it relaxes by focusing on performing the activity. Whether you know it or not this is a type of meditation.

A dictionary definition of meditation is continued or extended thought, reflection or contemplation. A second definition adds the spiritual aspect. Following and focusing on your breath for an extended period fits this definition. How you breathe – the rhythm of your breath is also important to how effective the meditations will be.

For example, yoga meditation authorities believe that a shorter in breath and a longer out breath bring about relaxation in a way that relieves stress. Some breathing meditations call for counting the number of seconds of the in-breath and of the out-breath. A stress relieving breathing technique is a count of 4 on the in-breath and a count of 6 or 8 on the out breath.

Chanting a mantra or a word like “peace” or “happy” is a form of meditation. Directing your full attention to the sound vibration and the repetition of the word produces relaxation. Dancing with a purposeful inward focus becomes meditative. It can either be slow and flowing or intense patterned movements. Guided imagery and hypnosis recordings all are part of the many faces of meditation. Prayer, to, in some of its forms can be considered meditative process. 

The important part is that you take time from the often fast-paced days that each of us experience and spend that time for awareness and contemplation. By doing so you will achieve an inner peace, become more focused and develop a positive healthy spirit. (Press Ctrl-D to bookmark this page for future reference)