Types of Meditation: How to Choose the Best One for You

Many people feel stressed and drained due to the fast pace and demands of today’s life. Of course, schedules are so tight that people could not get ample time for themselves. Because of this, people normally feel depressed and discontented. However, yoga and meditation types differ in the way of practice and purpose. Additionally, it gives you more time to reflect and clear off your mind from the stressors.

Below, find all meditation types you can choose from and the benefits they offer.

1. Loving-Kindness Meditation

Also known as Metta, this meditation is unconditional and focuses on love with wisdom. It is a kind of meditation that deals with care, concern, gentleness, and loving affection. Besides, it aims to make the person feel better mainly by taking the most comfortable position for them.

Breathing is also essential during this meditation. Practitioners focus their breathing on the chest area and open their minds to receiving loving kindness. After that, they send loving kindness to the important people in their life or to the world.

What’s the point of it? 

The key to this kind of meditation is repeating the message to send the message of loving kindness. Doing loving-kindness meditation is great in boosting the feelings of love and sympathy.  

What are the benefits of this meditation? Well, meditation can help people fighting anger, against grievance, bitterness, and other negative emotions.

To start, take a comfortable posture, breathe deeply, think of some specific people and repeat the message.

Who should try it? Initially, it’s perfect for people who have undergone pressure and stress from other people and things. In addition, it is even helpful to control anger and frustrations.

2. Focused Meditation

Focused meditation is a good way of relieving stress for the beginners. It does not need a yoga teacher and can even be done at home. As one type of yoga and meditation, this focuses on the present moment and turning off one’s internal dialogue. It also deals with the five senses and one’s own breathing.

To start a focused meditation, one can have a five-minute session on the first few days and work your way up to a thirty-minute session. Look for a peaceful place and follow these helpful tips in doing the focused meditation before doing the step by step meditation.

• Select things to focus or meditate on.
• Have a comfortable posture.
• Focus on your selected target and feel the moment.
• Soothe your inner voice.
• Forget about failure.
• Enjoy the meditation.

Who should try it? This is a great yoga and meditation for beginners.

3. Open Monitoring Meditation

Open monitoring meditation is keeping one’s mind open in all aspect. This meditation practices awareness of thinking. Consequently, being aware of one’s mind and emotions are the key to this. For instance, think of the things that make you happy and sad and open your mind to those things.

By practicing other aspects, you can easily follow through with this meditation. All you need to do is open your mind and feelings to the things around you— like your own breathing and movement and even with the things you touch and see. As a result, this can help reduce anxiety and worry brought by daily stressors.

Who should try it? Anyone. If you don’t have the access to hire teachers, you can do this all by yourself.

4. Spiritual Meditation

Spiritual meditation is connecting to something bigger and wider than the personal self. Now, the first step for this meditation is getting to know oneself. As a result, one must embrace the real him and make a good relationship with himself. Spiritual meditation believes in accepting oneself to fully accept others as well. When one can do that, giving up is not anymore thought about.

This kind of yoga and meditation has positive effects for practitioners. Here are some tips to get the spiritual enlightenment.

• Let go of the hate you are holding.
• Concentrate on your spiritual aims on others.
• Practice your faith.
• Be open-minded to new opportunities.
• Be yourself.

Who should try it? If you want to enjoy the silence and flourish your spiritual energy, then this a good meditation for you.

5. Effortless Transcending

Effortless transcending is one type of meditation practices that have a natural process. One can do the effortless transcending with the correct technique. In addition, you won’t need much mental effort to do it. Therefore, the aim of this meditation is to acknowledge the true nature of oneself by getting rid of all thoughts.

Moreover, the benefits of this meditation are rooted in how much you know yourself. People who successfully find their pure self can remain calm, can think of a better solution, can gain more self-confidence, and can have an optimistic mind.

Who should try it? It is advisable for people who are looking for a more structured type of meditation.

6. Kundalini Yoga

This is one of the best yoga and meditation types. It is a combination of spiritual and physical application that includes movement, breathing, and some mantras. So, the aim of this meditation is to develop physical stress and awareness of oneself. Furthermore, Kundalini Yoga is one of the best meditation techniques that awakens the sleeping energy within you.

Who should try it? Because this is a perfectly serious meditation for those who want to achieve spiritual growth.

7. Zen Meditation

One type of Buddhist meditation is the Zen Meditation. This focuses on the proper posture. To start, choose a room that has a moderate lighting and temperature. Zen meditation relies on body postures or positions. However, the most common position is the lotus or the half lotus position. No matter which position you choose, the most important thing is keeping your neck and head straight. Keep your chin up as if you are pushing the sky using your head.

Among all meditation types, this one focuses plenty on breathing. Breathing usually improves proper posture. Therefore, one should breathe through the nose.

Who should try it? Well, some communities do Zen Meditation. All it takes to do this is a strong community support to fully enjoy the benefits of this meditation.

FINAL THOUGHTS

So, these are some of the meditation types and their benefits that you can choose from. Shortly, meditating can help an individual overcome stress brought by the daily routine. Ultimately, having a teacher whom you can meditate with is also helpful to motivate yourself to do yoga and meditation regularly.