Types of Meditation

There are many different types of meditation techniques that are practised by people from all walks of life, while holding to the fundamental principles of reflection and quiet thought to bring about a state of rumination.

- Breath watching : Relax in whatever position works best for you, close your eyes and start to pay attention to your breathing.Breathing through your nose gets your diaphragm involved and gets oxygen all the way to the bottom of your lungs.

- An empty mind meditation : The techniques for doing this involve sitting still, often in a "full lotus" or cross-legged position, and letting the mind go silent on its own.

- Walking meditations : This one gets the body involved. It can be outside or simply as a back and forth pacing in a room. Pay attention to the movement of your legs and breathing and body as you walk, and to the feeling of your feet contacting the ground.

- Mindfulness meditation : Focus on what's happening in and around you at this very moment, and become aware of all the thoughts and feelings that are taking your energy from moment to moment. Start by watching your breath, and then move your attention to the thoughts going through your mind, the feelings in your body, and even the sounds and sights around you. The key is to watch without judging or analyzing.

- Simple mantra meditation : A mantra can help. This is a word or phrase you repeat as you sit in meditation, and is chosen for you by an experienced master in some traditions.

- Meditating on a concept : For example "meditation on impermanence," in which you focus on the impermanent nature of all things, starting with your thoughts and feelings as they come and go.

- Transcendental meditation : It aims towards a totally detached frame of mind. These forms encourage the practitioner to retreat within the inner-self, into the "real" world, away from the "illusions" (maya) of outside influences.