There are many different types of meditation techniques but they can be broken down into five basic types.
1. Focused Meditation
These forms of meditation encourages you to focus on an object or say a word or mantra. Focusing on one thing causes all other thoughts to fade into the background. All the white noise stops and you can feel a sense of peace and stillness. This type of meditation will ultimately help your concentration and focus. Types of meditation that fall into this category are:
- Mantra or Japa Meditation
- Yantra or Visual Meditation
- Focusing on an object such as a candle or picture
- Focusing on your breathing or breathing meditation
- Vipassana meditation
- Chakra or Kundalini meditation
- TM or Transcendental Meditation
- some forms of Zen meditation
2. Thought-less Meditation
Meditation where you are taught to quiet the mind and not think of anything. The best way to do this type of meditation is to not dwell on your thoughts but observe them like clouds or balloons in the sky. This increases your peace and overall sense of oneness with the universe. Types of meditation that fall into this category are:
- The Soto school of Zen Meditation
3. Dynamic Meditation
This meditation technique is where you meditate while you are in motion. This seems like the easiest meditation technique, but it can actually be the most difficult meditation technique to sustain. Types of meditation that fall under this category are:
4. Guided Meditation
Guided meditation is when you are guided by yourself or someone else to visualize a series of steps in your meditation to help you achieve a state of mind, an emotion or a goal. Types of meditation that fall into this category are:
- Creative Visualization
- Loving Kindness
- Chakra or Kundalini meditation
5. Sound Meditation
Sound meditation is very similar to guided meditation, the only difference is that there is no guided journey. You are relying on the sound to help calm your mind and achieve a meditative state. There are meditation practitioners that do not believe that this is a form of meditation. Many say that this and guided meditation are just the “lazy” way to meditate. Types of meditation that fall into this category are:
You must choose your technique as well as your position. Are you sitting in the lotus position? Standing? Walking? I would also encourage you to try different techniques for the best fit for you. I do sound meditation to start and then focused meditation, but you may find that other techniques suit you and your lifestyle.
You may also want to add other props such as a candle (for visual meditation) or include essential oils to help get you into a meditative state.