5 Types Of Meditation Techniques And Their Benefits
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Meditation is a beautiful experience. And, the best part about meditation is that there are so many ways of doing it. You can pick and choose a meditation technique that best suits your personality and temperament.
There are a plethora of simple and easy meditation techniques that will help you get your calm. If you are wondering which one to choose, then let me take you through the five most widely practiced meditation techniques in our times and help you understand what you are drawn towards.
Instead of overthinking how to meditate, just reading on and your confusion will be gone.
Types Of Meditation Techniques
1. Spiritual Meditation
About The Meditation- Spiritual meditation helps you stay in the present and look beyond the chaotic world around. It is of basic format where you must let thoughts flow without trying to control or react to them using prayer and self-observation as tools.
Benefits- Spiritual meditation smoothens out your emotions. It relaxes your nerves and helps your body to unwind. The meditation helps you to let go of the bad and seek positivity.
To know more about the meditation, click here- Spiritual Meditation.
2. Vipassana Meditation
About The Meditation- Vipassana meditation is one of the most ancient meditation techniques which are widely practiced and relevant in the present age and. It was taught by Buddha 2500 years ago. Vipassana helps you understand the essence of your existence. It has a lasting and permanent effect on you.
Benefits- Vipassana meditation betters your relationships with others. You become more forgiving and listen to other people to understand their problem instead of just reacting.
To know more about the meditation, click here- Vipassana Meditation.
3. Raja Yoga Meditation
About The Meditation- Raja Yoga meditation was first mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita and became popular when Swami Vivekananda propagated it in the 19th century. Raja yoga meditation helps you understand the importance of silence and introspection and keeps you sane.
Benefits- Raja yoga meditation helps you gain clarity and improves concentration. It increases your self-worth and even improves your health. It helps you find a purpose in life and work towards it.
To know more about the meditation, click here- Raja Yoga Meditation.
4. Zen Meditation
About The Meditation- Zen meditation comes from Chinese Buddhism. A South Indian king called Bodhidharma who traveled to the Oriental regions to propagate Buddhism conceptualized Zen meditation. Monks widely practiced it in monasteries which they still do. Zen meditation also spread its wings to everyday people living in a working world.
Benefits- Zen meditation relieves stress and relaxes you. It helps you solve the core of your problems instead of temporary solutions. Zen meditation helps you make wiser choices related to life.
To know more about the meditation, click here- Zen Meditation.
5. Shiva Meditation
About The Meditation- Shiva meditation is a powerful process of meditating upon a deep and cosmic energy. It is a process of understanding the world at a subconscious level. Shiva is universal consciousness, and Shiva meditation makes you realize you are one with it.
Benefits- Shiva meditation increases your stamina and stabilizes your blood pressure. It strengthens your immune system and eases out stressed muscles. Most importantly, it helps you react lesser and lesser to unnecessary matters.
To know more about the meditation, click here- Shiva Meditation.
There are some basic tips that you need to follow to ensure that you have a good meditation. Check them below.
Meditation Tips
1. Right Time
2. Peaceful Place
3. Comfortable Clothing
4. Warm Up
1. Right Time
Timing is everything they say. Mornings are the best time to meditate. Just 20 minutes before 4 am is the ‘Brahma Muhurta’ which is perfect for meditation. If that is inconvenient, even sunrise time will do.
Mornings set the mood of the day so practicing meditation in the morning gears you up to take on the day with renewed zeal and efficiently deal with everything that comes with it.
2. Peaceful Place
Choose a location that is serene and has the right amount of lighting. If it is an outdoor space, make sure there are no external elements which might disturb your flow like dogs barking and a rough wind. Chirping birds and a slight breeze would be okay.
If it is at home, then a quiet corner or your favorite space at home will do. Keep the gadgets away and keep some essentials handy like water and towels to avoid getting up unnecessarily.
3. Comfortable Clothing
Light, pastel, medium fitting cotton clothes are ideal for meditation. If the weather doesn’t permit cotton, then choose a material that would suit the weather but not something too heavy or stuffy.
4. Warm Up
Doing some exercises to stretch your muscles and activate your system is a good idea. You need to sit at a stretch during meditation. To do that comfortably you need to be fit and flexible.
Try light stretching exercises or beginner level yoga asanas like Vrikshasana, Balasana, Padangusthasana, Tadasana, etc.
Now, let’s answer some common queries on meditation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest way to meditate?
There is no easy way to meditate. You need to put in the effort and be consistent with whichever meditation technique you choose to practice.
How long do I meditate in a day?
Start off with 15-20 minutes and slowly raise the time as you get more used to the meditation process. Gradually, you’ll end up spending an hour or more depending on how much time you have to devote to it.
You don’t know what life can throw at you. It is best to be prepared and be armed. Meditation is one process that will help you button up and gear up to deal with the unexpected that life hits you with. And, it is assuring that there is more than one way to meditate. Choose what suits you best and begin practicing.
