What Are the Different Types of Meditation?

There are a lot of different types of meditation, including meditation that revolves around religions, compassion for others, and relaxation. The perfect meditation for one person might be completely different for another, depending on his or her religion and reason for meditating. A lot of types of meditation ultimately aim for complete relaxation, but this not always true, though relaxation is a common part of meditation.

Christian meditation is a type of religious meditation considered prayer. While many ways of engaging in Christian meditation exist, it often involves vocalizing prayer. Another common aspect of Christian meditation is thinking or vocalizing passages from the Bible.

Yoga meditation differs depending on the region it is performed in. This type of meditation focuses on the connection between mind, body, and soul. Instead of sitting in a relaxed position, however, yogic meditation takes the meditator through a series of poses that demand concentration. In North America, yoga meditation has less to do with religion and more to do with being relaxed and increasing flexibility and strength.

Compassion meditation is one of the most unique types of meditation. People who practice it attempt to rid themselves of unpleasant thoughts, filling that void with love and compassion for themselves and others. Compassion meditation involves thinking certain phrases over and over again. For example, “Be free of pain and sorrow,” or, “I am calm and happy.” These phrases can be altered to just about anything, as long as they are positive.

Mindfulness meditation is a meditation that focuses on being present. The meditator is encouraged to let all of his or her fears, excitement, and other emotions loose. He or she should acknowledge these feelings while sitting in a comfortable position but not get caught up in them.

While focusing on breathing is a common aspect of many different types of meditation, breathing meditation puts it at the forefront. Practitioners of this meditation technique often pace breathing in order to facilitate relaxation. When practicing breathing meditation, it can be helpful for a person to organize his or her posture to facilitate breathing.

Guided meditation is a type of meditation that involves being led by another person either physically or via a type of recording. This type of meditation script usually incorporates positive affirmations. Sometimes this can be useful for people who are new to meditation and do not know what to do. Many people experienced with meditation also like guided meditation.