What are all the forms of meditation? How do you choose the right method for you?

For most people, meditation means sitting quietly in the lotus position.

Yet there are many other ways to get our meditative state going, in order to grasp the full potential of this practice .

Very good reading to you my Mouver!

What are the different forms of meditation?

Mindfulness Meditation

This form of meditation is the best known, it is a bit like the basis of the basis...

A session can be done quickly and with no technical means.

Just you and a little willpower!

This technique is simple, but can be challenging for some people.

It involves paying careful, non-judgmental attention to your current thoughts, emotions, and sensations.

It aims to help you live in the present moment and cultivate a greater awareness of yourself and your surroundings.

Transcendental Meditation

It is also called sound meditation , and for good reason!

This is a method where you repeat a specific mantra to achieve a deep state of mental tranquility.

A mantra is a formula that has a spiritual, even sacred, content.

I'm sure you've already heard in various media the famous

Ooooooom

Mantras have several virtues, among other things they will allow you to harmonize your energy, to make it circulate throughout your body.

But also to calm you down, make you serene, and capable of gratitude.

This method is often taught by a trained instructor who knows the mantras and their meanings.

Guided meditation

In this form of meditation, a voice guide leads you through a visualization or sequence of relaxing thoughts .

This is often the formula I recommend to people who cannot manage to abstract on their own.

Guided by a voice, a sound, everything becomes simpler and more fun.

There are many different forms of guided meditation, some of which focus on different parts of your body, while others focus on your breathing.

You can find meditation tutorials on platforms like YouTube or Spotify.

But also on applications such as Mind or Petit bambou, where several guided meditations are free!

Zen Meditation

Originates from Japanese Buddhism.

The term Zazen is sometimes used to refer to this type of meditation,

Zazen simply means seated meditation .

Zen emphasizes body posture , breathing , and direct awareness of experience .

There are two branches of Zen meditation.

Soto Zen is the most widespread type and is similar to mindfulness meditation.

It involves sitting in silence without any purpose other than paying attention to your posture and breathing.

Here you will have to have a non-judgmental attitude, thoughts must pass like clouds in a blue sky, without you holding them back.

Every time you realize that you have escaped from the present moment, it will be a matter of returning to the here and now.

Rinzai Zen is a lesser-known method in the West.

Here we will repeat a sentence, a Koan , often asked by a teacher.

You're going to have to let go of understanding the sentence, not responding to it in any way.

Do not react to the suggestion .

But what good can that do me, you might ask...

Well, you're going to teach your mind not to solve something, to let go, because life is not just a list of problems to solve.

Vipassana Meditation

Also called observation meditation, or mindfulness meditation , it involves observing one's physical and mental sensations without reacting to them.

Without that famous judgment that we love to put on objects, the people around us and ourselves.

There are 2 types…

In the Mahasi method , you will have to observe each thought phenomenon as it arises.

This will allow you, in the long term, to not get carried away by a parasitic thought without realizing it.

In the Goenka method , widely used in particular in Yoga classes, you will have to carry out a complete scan of your body .

Literally, from head to toe!

This technique may seem quite difficult for some, at least at first, because it requires a lot of attention,

But over time your mind will get used to this mental gymnastics, and you will be able to reap all the benefits!

Concentrative meditation

It involves focusing on a specific point such as your breathing, an object or a sound.

To focus on your breathing, the cardiac coherence technique can be an interesting gateway.

It can help calm the mind by focusing attention on a specific element.

Tibetan Meditation

If you are someone with low self-esteem, if you find yourself too critical of yourself, then Tibetan meditation may be for you!

Tibetan meditation, also called Metta meditation or loving-kindness meditation , focuses on two strong values, kindness and compassion , towards others but also, and above all, towards oneself.

It will allow you to have a more positive image of yourself and the world around you.

Tibetan meditation is based on two principles.

Chiné means pacification of the mind, this ability will allow you to develop your compassion and your love.

While Lhaktong is a way to better understand how one's mind works.

This meditation can be done in the form of rituals and is sometimes reserved for a class of initiates.

Kundalini Meditation

The goal of Kundalini meditation is to awaken the mind, and even the unconscious, by chanting mantras or other spiritual songs.

This type of meditation emphasizes the idea that there is a Kundalini energy that originates in the lower part of the spine.

The songs are there to release this energy and make it circulate throughout the body .

For the more spiritual among you, you will be able to feel the energy nourishing each of your chakras.

To summarize, Kundalini meditation is quite ritualized and is divided into 4 stages: an installation, a dance part, a return to calm and final relaxation.

Tonglen Meditation

This meditation may seem quite barbaric at first, because it will make you connect with elements that cause you pain and suffering .

But don't be fooled, it can help to alleviate the pain and sometimes even free you from it.

This practice will make you work on your breathing to relax and thus reduce the pain.

After a few sessions your mind will be better able to transform your perception of situations; from a negative situation you will come out with positive aspects.

Some therapists and doctors even use it on patients who have suffered trauma.

Bhakti Yoga Meditation

Here we enter into a very spiritual meditative practice...

Indeed, Bhakti Yoga meditation aims to connect your mind with that of a divinity, nothing less!

This is similar to prayer in monotheistic religions.

This meditation is often associated with objects, with a ceremony.

The practitioner will sometimes place candles, incense, put on a melody...

Meditation in motion

Forms such as yoga or tai chi incorporate meditation into physical movement, which can help one find inner peace through activity.

Also, for some people, going through the body will be a gateway that seems more appropriate to them, and which will therefore allow them to access the meditative state through this means.

Compassion Meditation

It is a practice aimed at cultivating kindness towards oneself and others.

It consists of generating positive thoughts and emotions towards all living beings.

Candle Flame Meditation

It is a kind of concentrative meditation.

This method involves staring at a candle flame , focusing on the movements and nuances of the light.

Enough to combine stimulation, relaxation and concentration .

Meditation with music

Here I am not talking about rap or rock music, even if these, in other contexts, have their advantages.

I'm talking about meditating with sound, with degrees of frequencies that are soothing.

I am thinking in particular of the 432 Hz frequency.

You will be able to access thousands of melodies by simply typing the keywords music and frequency into a search bar.

Enjoy your discovery 😉

Cosmic Sounds Meditation

This meditation is practiced by listening attentively to the sounds around you, including those that are barely audible.

This practice aims to connect you with the vibrations of the universe…

So inspiring, and my friend Staiv Gentis will tell you about it better than I can!

Meditation on Death

By confronting the notion of death , this meditation can help you appreciate life more, let go of fears, and find deeper meaning in existence.

Forest Bathing Meditation

Inspired by Japanese shinrin-yoku , this form of meditation invites you to walk in the forest while being fully aware of the natural environment and its sensations.

Hearing, smell, sight, touch… all your senses will be recruited!

Meditation of the Elements

This meditation focuses on the natural elements, earth, water, fire, air , connecting with their symbolic qualities to achieve inner balance.

It is mainly practiced in nature, where you can be close to these elements.

Hand Energy Meditation

By placing the hands in certain positions, this meditation aims to channel the body's energy for healing and harmonization .

There are many hand positions, each with their own specificities.

Number Meditation

5; 1; 8; 9; 4

By focusing on a specific number, this method aims to stimulate concentration and cultivate a state of mental tranquility.

Mandala meditation

Everyone has already made mandalas in their childhood, they are harmonious geometric and symmetrical shapes.

As you will have understood, in this type of meditation, it will be a question of drawing or coloring mandalas to connect you with the present moment.

Meditation through laughter or tears

The therapeutic value of laughter or the expression of negative feelings is no longer in doubt...

In this meditation you will put yourself in a position where you will be able to laugh, and this thanks to three steps:

Stretching of facial muscles, expression through laughter or tears, then a phase of silence.

This seemingly complicated type of meditation will allow you to express yourself more simply day after day.

Chakra Sound Meditation

This technique aims to stimulate your different chakras, your energy centers through music or songs.

It is provided by a teacher specialized in the field.

Meditation for couples

For the vast majority of people, meditation rhymes with solitude.

However, there is meditation for couples, which consists of four steps:

Creating a space where love can be expressed, expressing your gratitude by looking into your partner's eyes, then the meditation can begin...

Gourishankar Meditation

Evening meditation is a long technique that will have you go through 4 phases of 15 minutes each.

The first and second phases consist of following breathing exercises to better welcome the next two phases.

The third phase is a phase of body expression which takes place standing up, and finally for the fourth phase you will be lying down.

Non-dimensional meditation

A meditation that is also very spiritual and will consist of a series of three phases.

First, a dance phase where you will have to repeat six different movements for thirty minutes.

Then a phase called whirling which consists of making a precise gesture and concentrating on the love you give to yourself.

And finally a phase of silence.

Lucid Dreaming Meditation

This form of meditation is practiced while you are awake, but it aims to improve dream awareness and the ability to control them.

Here is a meditation that aims to have levels of consciousness different from those that we usually have.

Inner Smile Meditation

By visualizing a kind smile within yourself, this method aims to cultivate positive emotions and a kind attitude towards yourself.

Astral meditation

This form of meditation involves exploring and connecting with subtle, energetic sensations in the body.

In particular, it would allow you to leave your body for a few moments.

It's a rather esoteric and mysterious practice which requires several years of practice in my opinion, but which can make you discover a whole other world...

What is the best meditation method for me?

To best choose your meditation technique, you will have to think about several parameters...

First, what are your personal goals, then determine what you want to achieve from meditation, whether it's managing your emotions, more focus, or greater spirituality.

Then you will have to choose according to your preferences .

No need to go to your friend's house to find out how he meditates; what may suit him may not suit you at all!

You'll have to be curious and not stop at just one technique, which is good because I've made a list just for you...

Test and recognize the one that resonates best with you.

As with sports, you will have to focus on what you like above all, this is how you will create a solid habit in the long term.

If you are a beginner , you may consider taking a course or working with an instructor to familiarize yourself with the method; you will also need to be aware of certain dangers that this practice can pose.

Don't forget, the main thing is to find a method that helps you connect with yourself, to cultivate inner peace...

Thank you for reading my Mouvers!

And if you want to bounce back or simply share your experience concerning your meditation practice, I look forward to hearing from you in the comments section 😉

Nomad Slim
Founder of MOUVERS