There are many stress factors that come with living everyday life. How we choose to cope with stress can make all the difference in the world. It is not the stress that affects you, it is actually how you deal with it that affects you. There are many ways you can help get through difficult times to make it much easier. Guided Meditation is a fantastic way to put your mind and body at ease. Choosing the right type of meditation for you is very important. Below you will find several different types available.
Types of Meditation
Loving-Kindness Meditation
This type of meditation is also referred to as Metta Meditation. The optimum goal of this type is to create a positive attitude, full of love and kindness. When you cultivate this type of attitude towards stress, you can deal with the situation a whole lot easier. Breathing deeply to open your mind. Opening your mind enables you to receive loving-kindness. This style allows people to obtain feelings of love and compassion for oneself and others.
Benefits of Loving-Kindness Meditation
People affected by the following can benefit from this style:
- Interpersonal conflict
- Frustration
- Anger
- Resentment
- Anxiety
- PTSD
- Depression
Body Scan or Progressive Relaxation
This type of meditation allows people to focus on their bodies and to locate the areas that are full of tension. The goal is to allow the tension in these areas to release. Starting at the feet, a person scans their entire body to locate the areas of tension. Once located there are ways to release it. One form is to visualize a wave going over their body and taking the tension with it. Another way is to tense and release the area of the body that is affected.
Benefits of Body Scan or Progressive Relaxation:
This is a great form of meditation to:
- Help with sleep
- Create feelings of calmness
- Create feelings of relaxation
- Take your mind off stressful events
Transcendental Meditation
A spiritual form used to transcend above your current state. This method helps to escape what you are going through at the moment. It is best practiced in a sitting position. You must breathe very slowly and focus on mantra. Normally the guide will state what the mantra is. Sometimes you can choose your own mantra.
Benefits of Transcendental Meditation:
This style allows practitioners to:
- Feel relaxed
- Stay in the moment
- Heighten spiritual feelings
Breath Awareness Meditation
This style focuses on breathing. To achieve the full benefits you must count every breath you take and focus only on your breathing, nothing else.
Benefits of Breath Awareness Meditation:
A person practicing this style can expect the following:
- Improved levels of concentration
- Greater flexibility emotionally
- A reduction in anxiety
Zen Meditation
Also referred to as Zazen. Commonly practiced as a part of Buddhist. This style involves certain postures and steps to the process. You will learn to observe your own thoughts and not pass judgement on them by focusing on your breathing while sitting in a comfortable position.
Benefits of Zen Meditation:
Those who practice this style can expect:
- Superior relaxation
- Heightened Spirituality
- Improved levels of concentration
- Improves overall health
Mindfulness Meditation
This type encourages practicing participants to stay in the moment and be fully aware of the “now”. It teaches people to avoid thinking about stressful situations. It is a non-judgemental process that can be practiced anywhere, anytime. An instructor will provide you with the tools you need to attain your goals.
Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation:
This is a great start to meditation as most styles involve mindfulness to some degree. Practicing this style can:
- Improve your memory
- Reduce negative emotions towards things you may be fixated on
- Improve your relationships with family and friends
- Improve your ability to focus
- Allow you to respond as opposed to react to situations
Music Meditation
Some of these forms of meditation can be converted into music meditation which is the easiest to learn and to adapt to. It is often the choice of most beginners because of its ease in learning and the quick benefits it can deliver.