The Meditation Types

Types of meditation

Using meditation you can employ the connection between the mind and the body to achieve specific developmental goals. Meditation is particularly good in reducing the stress that you encounter and develop in everyday life. When you decide to make meditation a regular part of your life, you need to decide which type of meditation technique and or philosophy best suits you. If you wish to learn more about Transcendental Meditation then check this page.

How you mediate can mean the difference between trying to become detached from your stress or from trying to build on the problems that are stressing you to form the basis of personal growth, often in a creative way.

There are many types of meditation, some ancient, some newer, each with its own, different style. Meditation teachers classify meditation as focusing on four different ways:

Focused on Concentration - this means basically focusing your attention on one object only. Totally concentrating on it. For example, concentrating on the flame of a candle, or simply focusing on your breath. See my Concentration example

Focused on Generation (generative meditation). This type of meditation helps you meditate to achieve a state of loving kindness by using your memory, your imagination and the sensations of your body.

Focused on Receptivity (receptive meditation). This means basically becoming receptive to any experience arising. An example of this is the zen meditation, zazen.

Focused on Reflection (reflective meditation). This meditation type involves constantly focusing on an object, but also being aware to whatever emotions, feelings and sensations come forth from the experience.