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Comprehensive
Guide to Worldwide Meditation Techniques
There are as many types of meditation techniques as there are
wonderful flavors of ice cream. This allows each person to find a flavor that is
delicious to them. In this article I will provide an overview of some of the
most popular meditation techniques that exist and hopefully this will help you
find the style that is sweetest to you.
Some meditation styles suit those of an intellectual disposition, while others
are more attractive to those who prefer the path of love and surrender. Still
others, with an active approach to life, may like the meditation techniques
involving movement, while those with a strong mind would enjoy the approach of
visualization and concentration. Overall, there are several broad categories
under which we can capture most of these various meditation practices and the
following two are amongst the most widely used styles, Insight Meditation
Techniques and Sound (Mantra) Meditation Techniques.
1. Insight Meditation Techniques: These are the meditations of choice for the
Gyan Yogis or those drawn to the intellectual path. It incorporates the advanced
meditation techniques from the Zen school of Buddhism, the Advaita Vedanta
school of Hinduism, certain schools of Western Religions among others.
A. WHO AM I Meditation Technique: This techniques comes from the school of
Advaita Vedanta (Non-Dualism / End of Knowledge). The meditation was popularized
by Shri Ramana Maharishi and is based on negation of the false self in order to
realize one's True Nature. Here is an example of my experience with WHO AM I
Meditation Practice.
B. Koan Meditation Technique: These meditations come from the Zen school of
Buddhism and are designed to break down the ordinary pattern of conceptual,
dualistic thinking. By breaking down the interference created by the thinking
mechanism the practitioner is brought to confront the non-dual reality of
"what is" directly and thus Awaken.
C. Contemplation Meditation Technique: These meditations utilize introspection,
self-study, reflection, self-dialogue and contemplation to cut through the
layers of false conditioning and false understanding that deludes the mind.
These meditations have their roots in many Western Religions and are also a part
of Eastern philosophies.
D. Silent Mind Meditation Technique: This meditation technique is my
contribution to this category and it involves directly perceiving the fact of
what is by acute observation of the thinking process. This is the flavor that I
enjoy best and I have explained it in detail in the The Silent Mind Meditations,
which are part of the Silent Mind Meditation Program. These meditations are an
extension of the teachings of Jiddu Krishnamurti.
2. Sound (Mantra) & Intention Meditation Techniques: The meditations that
fall under this category use the science of sound and thought vibrations (Naad
Yoga), along with rhythm and music (Laya Yoga) to purify the heart and mind.
These meditations have a wide range of applications, from bestowing
Enlightenment, to improving health, wealth, happiness, peace etc...
A. Mantra Japa Meditation Technique: This meditation method uses the repetition
of a mantra (a particular sound, word or phrase) verbally or mentally to create
the necessary conditions for purification, refinement or expansion to take
place. Mantras are essentially keys which allow one to tune into the individual
energy field or tune into the Universal Energy field to produce certain desired
results. Here is an example of using OM Mantra to activate the Third Eye Chakra.
B. Rhythm Meditation Technique: This form of meditation uses the combination of
rhythm, chanting, music and breath to calibrate and perfect the system. The
excellent Three Step Rhythmic Breathing (3srb) meditation technique of Sage
Pantanjali and many Kundalini Yoga meditations fall under this category, among
others.
C. Meditation via Song: Most of the meditations from the path of Devotion (Bhakti
Yoga) and Love, designed to dissolve the ego belong in this category. This is a
path most dear to those who are emotional in nature and feel a deep love for the
divine. Christianity, Gospel, Sufi Meditations, Hare Krishna Meditations,
Kirtans and Bhajans are some examples of techniques in this category.
D. Meditation via Prayer & Intention: All religions have meditations
involving prayer and worship. The meditations that also use the power of
intention to manifest desires fall under this category.
So you can see from above, these is a rich diversity to the science of
meditation and certainly something for everybody. The best suggestion is to pick
a style and with an attitude of experimentation dive in and explore it. You may
be astonished at the wonderful treasures you discover within using the profound
art of meditation.
Anmol Mehta is a Yoga & Zen Meditation expert. For Free Online Yoga &
Guided Meditation Classes visit http://www.anmolmehta.com/blog/classes-online
hosted on http://www.anmolmehta.com .
For help & insights on Meditation, Kundalini Yoga, Chakra, Tantra, Zen &
more visit http://www.anmolmehta.com/blog
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