Types of Meditation

There are essentially two main types of meditations— mystical and esoteric meditation and both of these differentiate into various mediation techniques.

Mystical Meditation Forms

Mystical forms of meditation depend largely upon an active feeling nature and an intense desire for spiritual union; or for some personal spiritual experience, this type of meditation tends to be introspective and largely centred upon the personal self.

Meditation and Prayer

are two unique processes of the mind and body. Prayer is concerned with communicating personally with a deity, spirit, or other form of higher power. It can be an appeal, a wish, or simple communication. As thoughts and feelings are expressed, the path of thinking is altered and a better understanding of divine purpose is achieved.

Meditation is a technique that helps to slow and focus the mind so that it is not swimming with the constant thoughts that usually flood it. It helps to bring the body and mind together to achieve a higher level of peace and happiness. Together, meditation and prayer combine for a high level of respect for others, compassion, and overall calm.

Basic Relaxation Meditation

Is a process of working consciously to create a relaxed state of mind, body and emotions. Following the breath takes the minds away from “mind clutter” and will calm emotions. An overall sense of peace, serenity, calmness, and relaxation will eventuate.

Taoist Meditation

Rooted in ancient China, shares many features with Hindu, Zen and Buddhist systems, though the Taoist approach is more practical than the abstract, contemplative traditions of India and Japan. Taoist meditations feature the internal circulation of energy, or Qi, and are related to other Chinese arts such as Tai Chi Chuan, Qi Gong and Chinese martial arts.

Taoist meditation

Built upon the ideas of jing (quiet, stillness) and ding (concentration). The breath is the usual focus of attention to achieve a state of meditation, with a one-pointed awareness to the goal.

Moving Meditation

Tai Chi Chuan and Qigong

A moving meditation developed in ancient China, practiced for its relaxation, health, flexibility, strength, and balance benefits. Tension is released through the toning of the muscles, development of balance, and increasing flexibility. As a meditation, Tai Chi Chuan dynamically harmonizes the mind and body. The mind is stilled just as in sitting meditation, but the body moves to actively circulate the Qi energy throughout the body. Qigong — is a meditation based on the breath. Qigong meditation is used to preserve the health to move the Qi in healthy rhythms throughout the body along the Yin and Yang axes, as well as the twelve organ meridians. It works toward physical health and mental wisdom for freedom from upset and sorrow. In China, Qigong meditation is used in hospitals for a wide variety of ills, and is also believed to extend life and protect health.

Guided Visualization

This is a  form of meditation that allows the mind to take a journey toward discovery and change. It is a process that works well for overcoming fears and issues causing trouble or stress. It can either be performed with a recording or with a guiding person slowly reading a script out loud while the practitioner meditates. The tone of the speaker is usually soothing in nature. It opens the conscious and subconscious minds to a communication between them. Perception through the actual senses is encouraged through the different guided visualizations. Guided visualization is similar to hypnosis in many respects.

Transcendental Meditation (TM)

A basic and natural form of meditation that works to achieve a settled state in the mind, referred to as the transcendental consciousness, which is a purer consciousness and which is the root of all creativeness. Transcendental meditation makes use of mantras, and is practiced twice per day, for approximately fifteen minutes each time, in the morning and in the evening. The conscious becomes open to itself when transcendental meditation is achieved

Zen Meditation

Zen meditation is based on zazen. This has to do with sitting in one of several possible positions and using meditation to help achieve a better connection with reality’s true nature. There are different forms of Zen meditation, which interpret and practice zazen in different ways

Yogic Meditation

A practice developed in India, often combined with pranayama, a sophisticated practice of breathing techniques. The breath is used as a focus to quiet the mind. Within the calmness of the mind, there is a focus on the present moment, not on what has or what will happen

Vipassana (Insight) Meditation

Vipassana means to see things as they actually are. It is among the oldest meditation techniques from India, and was rediscovered over 2500 years ago by Gotama Buddha, who then shared it openly with others to assist in overcoming what he referred to as universal ills. Non-sectarian, the goal of Vipassana meditation is the elimination of mental impurities in order to achieve freedom and the happiness that comes with it. It is a method of self-transformation by way of self-observation.

Tibetan Buddhist Meditation

The general term for all meditation practiced within the Buddhist philosophy of Tibet, with the goal of meditating in order to achieve salvation on behalf of all sentient beings. Tibetan Buddhists practice hundreds, if not thousands of different meditation techniques, each with its own purpose and style in order to compliment the personality of the practitioner. Tibetan meditation works to take the practitioner beyond him/herself and into Nirvana.

Esoteric Meditation – Meditation with Form

Builds upon whatever mystical experience may have occurred, taking the whole idea of meditation a step further.

The goal is no longer personal illumination and inspiration, but the right use of the meditative technique to serve in the upliftment and the transformation of humanity and of the world in which we live. This style of meditation is a method of cooperation with the process and plan of evolution.

Simply it is the science of energy flow and energy relationships (energy follows thought.) Esoteric meditation is a means of consciously and purposefully directing energy from a recognised source to the creation of some specific effect.

It works on the simple premise that energy follows and conforms itself to thought, it involves a focused mind, the capacity to visualise, an ability to build thought-forms and to use the creative imagination, plus a developing grasp of the soul’s intent, which is always for the greater good.
This type of meditation enhances the quality of life. It creates a lighted way of relationship and communication between the subjective inner or the soul and its objective expression, the personality.

Meditation is, or should be, a deeply spiritual experience. It leads to right relationship with life aspect and to right human relationships in everyday life. It is essentially the means par excellence of establishing alignment between the various aspects of life, which from the angle of consciousness and material form, which appear to be separate.