Meditation has always been in the spiritual corner of yoga practitioners and alternatives and has been associated with monks who can sit undisturbed on a pillow for hours. Nowadays, meditation has happily emerged from that little corner, and more and more people are meditating for more peace and happiness in their lives. The many types of meditation that exist have mainly been met with incomprehension among the general public. And that’s what happens when people don’t understand something: they judge it or get a little uncomfortable.
The fact that meditation is practiced by far more people today, I believe, absolutely benefits humanity. Giving people insight into what meditation is, they can understand it, learn to apply it, and, above all, reap many benefits in its effect on their lives.
What is meditation?
Meditation is primarily a way to relax both physically and mentally. Because of the “space” in your mind, there is room for new, fresh thoughts. Meditation is mainly a piece of awareness of yourself, your mind, your feelings, and your body. Many definitions can be found on the internet, depending on what kind of meditation.
Who uses meditation, and what kind of meditation do you choose?
For everyone! If you are new to meditation and want to learn how to meditate in practice, beginners have many different options. It just depends on what your goal is.
Do you want to reduce stress? Or maybe you can concentrate better? You may also want to clear your head before going to sleep. There are also some very successful stories of healing through meditation.
As you can see, meditation has many benefits on both a mental and physical level. I will give you a brief introduction to the following types of meditation. They are really for those who start meditating so that everyone can find out what works best for them.
Backgrounds meditation techniques
Meditation is best known from the Buddhist tradition, and you can compare the word ‘meditation’ with the term ‘sport’ in the western hemisphere. It cannot really be understood in one concept, just as sport encompasses many types of activities. Different types of meditation techniques require different types of skills.
Resistance
Many people who try to meditate for the first time experience resistance at first. Not only are they not used to sitting still for 10 minutes at all, especially not to let go of their thoughts and have an ’empty mind.’ It is therefore not surprising that some people experience resistance to this; it just feels awkward. But it is precisely by ‘letting go of your thoughts that you make contact with the quantum field, and you could come to precious insights.
Our daily life requires constant concentration from us, and you can see our stressful society as a cause of “brain cramp.” To resolve this “cramp,” it is necessary to relax the mind regularly, and meditation is a great way to do this.
Because many people are not used to this mental relaxation anyway, the result of meditation can feel uncomfortable for many people.
Practice with types of meditation techniques
Aids can facilitate the first steps in the meditation process with aids. For example, numerous guided meditations can be found online, paid, but also free. The best way to start is by simply concentrating on your breathing.
Concentration meditation
Concentration meditation involves focusing on one point. This may include following your breath, staring at a candle flame, or listening to soothing music. Since focusing the mind is challenging, a beginner can only meditate for a few minutes, but once you get the hang of the technique, you can quickly build it up to half an hour or an hour.
In this form of meditation, you focus your attention on the chosen object of attention, and whenever you find your mind wandering, you bring it back. Instead of paying attention to emerging thoughts, just let them go. You improve your ability to concentrate through this form of meditation.
Types of meditation techniques mindfulness
Mindfulness meditation allows you to observe your thoughts without judging them. With this form of meditation, you must be aware of your situation. as they wander through the mind. It is especially not the intention to “think” thoughts but to let them pass by without judgment. Just observe them.
Through mindfulness meditation, you can see how your thoughts and feelings tend towards certain patterns. Over time, you will become more aware of how you tend to judge quickly in a normal state. An inner balance develops through regular practice.
Types of meditation to try
Guided meditation
Guided meditation is probably one of the most popular types of meditation for beginners. It’s a simple way to meditate while listening to someone help you focus on your breathing and your attention.
Numerous apps and websites are offering free and paid guided meditations. And whether you want to focus on your health, on your career, or on relaxation, a guided meditation will almost always have immediate results. The big advantages are accessibility and simplicity. I myself am very enthusiastic about the guided meditations of Dr. Joe Dispenza.
Mindfulness types of meditation
Mindfulness meditation is a type of meditation where you focus on the present, the present moment. The power lies in perceiving without judgment. This is a great way to get acquainted with meditation if you have little or no experience.
One (of the many) positive aspects of mindfulness meditation is that you can practice it anywhere. Moreover, you do not have to sit still on a meditation cushion. Whatever you do, you need to be aware of yourself and perceive everything without judgment.
It calms your physiological system, reduces stress and negative emotions, and improves mental clarity. In short, it is an ideal type of meditation that you can use every day.
Awareness, also known as awareness, can be done anywhere, while driving, exercising, or just at home on the couch while enjoying a cup of tea. By experiencing what is happening in and around you, you can gain valuable insights. I myself have used this kind of meditation on vacation, and I can still easily evoke the feeling because I have also used the NLP technique anchoring frequently.
Kundalini meditation
The main purpose of a Kundalini meditation is to generate kundalini energy. You “pull” this energy up from a spot just above your sacrum using your breath.
By awakening and using this energy, an incredible feeling of peace and joy can take hold of you. While Kundalini isn’t great for the very beginning, you can certainly practice it when you’re more advanced.
It takes a little practice and patience, but once you master it, Kundalini is arguably one of the most intense types of meditation available.
Transcendental Meditation
Transcendental Meditation, also known as TM, is a very calm and spiritual meditation that aims to transcend (go out, transcend) your current state. Many people all over the world use this meditation type. The people who practice this type of meditation report increased spiritual awareness and mental acuity.
Zen meditation
Zen meditation is an important part of traditional Buddhist practice and discipline and dates back to 7th century China. The primary purpose is of spiritual significance, and it goes deep, intense. The exercise focuses on mental acuity and awakening the mind. It is a highly controlled exercise that requires close attention to posture and breathing.
There are, of course, still countless types of meditation that can be used to achieve a wide range of goals. With the above types of meditation, you have a grip to start experimenting. I am very curious about your first experiences, and if you have any questions, you can certainly ask them in the comments.
Simple beginner meditation
This simple meditation practice below is an excellent introduction.
- Sit comfortably upright in a quiet, comfortable place. If you like, you can sit on a chair or on a few cushions on the floor.
- Close your eyes and quietly observe your inhalation and exhalation. Visualize your breath entering your lungs through your nose and gently exiting your mouth. Don’t bother controlling the breath. Just breathe calmly and relaxed.
- Pay attention to the movement of your body as you breathe. Watch your chest expand and slowly pull your breath down a little further, up to your belly button. Breathe in and out smoothly. And when your mind wanders, you bring it back to your breath.
- Set a timer for 3-5 minutes in advance. This exercise is about learning to perceive what it feels like to focus on your breathing and what it does to you. It’s no contest.
Every beginning is difficult. Allow yourself to learn to meditate at a leisurely pace. Be sure to experiment with the different meditation techniques to find the right technique that suits you.
