Learn Your Flow

We can all relate to having non-stop, task driven, busy day to day lives. We also all know how important it is to have some loving self-care to prevent us from a complete burn out. But how do we choose what that self-care should be. Today we are going to focus on just one option which has been used time and time again throughout history and has now been highlighted as a must try. Many people may have heard of the term meditation and may not fully understand what it is or understand the difference between the different types of mediation. So, in this post we will break down 11 different types of meditation for you to take away and try.

But to start we will just touch on a basic definition of what meditation is and if you would like to go deeper then check out our previous post ‘What it is and what it isn’t’ which covers this topic in more detail. 

The Cambridge dictionary defines meditation as:

‘The act of giving your attention to only one thing either as a religious activity or as a way of becoming calm and relaxed’.

But what does this mean?

During meditation you are asked to focus on just one thing which can help bring you back to the present moment and help to reduce the inner dialogue in your mind.

So now that we have some understanding of what meditation is we can look at the 11 most common types of meditation. You may find when reading through these next 11 options, one stands out for you and makes you feel like you must try this option now. However, if you are still not sure then why not try all of them and see which one resonates the most. There is one key point to remember when starting up a new meditation practice which is, that it takes practice. You may find it difficult to begin with, but that is ok. Remember to be kind to yourself and stick at it as over time it will get easier. 

Here are 11 different types of meditation:

• Guided meditation
• Breathing techniques
• Mindfulness meditation
• Spiritual meditation
• Focused meditation
• Movement meditation
• Mantra meditation
• Progressive relaxation
• Loving-kindness meditation
• Visualisation meditation
• Transcendental meditation

Let us explore in more detail what these different types of mediation are…

1. Guided meditation

Guided meditation may be considered one of the most accessible forms of meditation. This form of meditation involves being guided through a visualization, story, breathing technique or any other activity that brings you into a deep relaxed state. There are many different apps, YouTube channels and books that can be used for this form of meditation.

2. Breathing techniques

Using different breathing techniques can also be considered a form of meditation. They have been used for centuries and there are lots of different techniques to choose from. An example of a breathing technique would be belly breathing or alternate nostril breathing. This type of mediation is used in different practices such as Yoga and Buddhism.

3. Mindfulness meditation

Mindfulness meditation is one of the most popular mediations in the West. It involves paying attention to your thoughts as they arise. You don’t judge the thoughts or get involved with them, you simply observe as they come up and take note of any patterns. This practice combines concentration and awareness and often uses an object or the breath to help focus whilst you’re observing your thoughts and emotions.

4. Spiritual Meditation

Spiritual meditation is used in nearly all religions and spiritual traditions. Spiritual meditation focuses on developing a deeper understanding of spiritual/religious meaning and connection with a high power.

5. Focused mediation

Focused meditation involves enhancing your concentration by using any of the 5 senses. For example, you can focus on a bodily sensation such as the breath. You can also focus on external influences such as a candle or looking and touching any other object.

6. Movement meditation

This is an active form of meditation where the movement guides you to a deeper connection with your body and the present moment. It can include practices such as yoga, walking or tai chi.

7. Mantra Meditation

This type of meditation uses sounds that are repeated to help clear the mind. It can be a word, a phrase, or a sound such as ‘Om’, which can be repeated in the mind or aloud.

8. Progressive relaxation

This mediation can also be known as a body scan. It is aimed and reducing the tension in the body and promoting relaxation. It can involve tensing and releasing muscles in the body and is often used to relieve stress.

9. Loving – Kindness Meditation

This form of meditation is used to strengthen feelings of compassion, kindness, and acceptance towards oneself or to others. It can involve opening the mind to receive love from others and sending love to any loved ones, friends, acquaintances, or any other being.

10. Visualization meditation

This form of meditation is a technique that focuses on enhancing feelings of relaxation, peace, and calmness by visualizing positive scenes, images, or figures. It uses all five senses to add as much detail to the image or scene as possible.

11. Transcendental Meditation

This form of meditation helps to quieten the mind and induce a state of peace. It was founded by Maharishi Mahesh. This form of meditation is best taught by a Transcendental Meditation Practitioner.

So now we have covered 11 different forms of meditation it is your turn to pick one and role with it. If you are unsure on how to start your own mediation practice, this topic will be covered within this blog series, as well as useful tips such as where to meditate and when to meditate. Feel free to come back to this post throughout your journey and try the different forms and see where your own journey takes you.