We’re constantly thinking. We are thinking about our next meal, our next dopamine fix, our next whatever. It’s compulsive, addictive, and sometimes harmful.
Not to bash thinking; it’s essential to live and thrive. However, a large amount of your thinking is not helpful-a lot of it: Negative.
So how do we focus less on the negative?
Focus…
Focus on positives. Focus on life. Focus on things that really matter.
These are all things that all stem from different types of meditation. An ancient practice that is scientifically proven to improve our well-being.
Keep reading if you are interested in learning about different meditation practices that can guide you through the struggles of life. This article will highlight some of the best types of meditation practices out there and which ones can be applied overall.
What is Meditation?
In a nutshell, meditation is the progressive expansion of your mind until it reaches the source of your being, your soul, or whatever brings you closer to self-actualization.
It sounds like a bunch of fluff that came out of a spiritual guru trying to get you to pay for their guidance.
Hear me out…
Meditation( if practiced daily) helps with stress. A ton of data demonstrates how stress is the leading epidemic in our society. Meditation will improve your mental health, which will lead to better physical health, which can lower your stress levels(maybe even rid you of stress).
What happens when you meditate while stress-free?
It opens the door for your brain to start becoming aware. Aware of thoughts that you didn’t have the time to reflect on and connect on. It empowers you to control what ideas you may aspire to have while mitigating those that negatively affect you.
That is the power of meditation!
Types of Meditation Practices
- Mindfulness meditation: The practice of being present in the moment and becoming aware of your thoughts. The goal is not to judge your thoughts but to observe and recognize them.
- Spiritual meditation: The practice of experiencing the depth of your authentic self. Like connecting to a higher power or meaning in life.
- Focused meditation: The practice of focusing your thoughts and attention on an object, sound, or sensation rather than clearing the mind. Focus meditation is ideal for anyone that once to sharpen their awareness.
- Movement meditation: The practice of purposeful breathing and movement. By practicing and being aware of your slow and meaningful activities, you can connect with your body at a deeper physical level.
- Mantra meditation: The practice of prayer or repetitive sound to clear the mind. People can do this with a phrase or a verse. Many use this as a way to affirm an idea or concept.
- Transcendental meditation: The practice of going beyond the surface level of your awareness. The goal is to induce and deeper state of calmness, quiet, and peace.
- Loving-kindness meditation: The practice of loving and being kind to oneself and others. The goal is to promote compassion and deal with dangerous feelings like anger or resentment.
- Visualization meditation: The practice of picturing positive images, ideas, or symbols. It can quickly calm the mind and set a more relaxing environment when dealing with a stressful situation. People can also use it to improve their motivation.
The Most Effective Types of Meditation Practice
Everyone holds a different issue and unique problem than can be resolved through a diverse meditation practice. The truth is, there are hundreds of variations of meditations out there. But there are a few practices that, in my own opinion, work best generally.
Here are the two types of meditation used in most situations.
Mindfulness meditation
Mindfulness meditation is the ability to reflect on the now. So too often, are we worried about the past and future that we forget to enjoy life at the moment. When we practice mindfulness, our thoughts tune into focusing on things that we can control.
Mindfulness
It is a way to maintain being in the moment and be aware of our thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. There are three essential components to achieving mindfulness-intention, attention, and attitude.
- Affirm things that you intend to accomplish
- Pay attention to both your inner and outer experience
- Reflect on the attitude that you are feeling at that moment
Loving Kindness Meditation
Loving Kindness is a powerful way to apply self-care to boost your over well-being. As the saying goes, you cannot love others until you start to love yourself. Those who frequently practice self-love and Kindness are able to connect to themselves and others on a deeper level.
Loving
To truly love something is to have a deeply committed connection with someone or something. Unfortunately, we focus on so many other relationships in life that we forget how to self-reflect and nurture the relationship with ourselves. There are three components to showing self-love.
- Affirmation
- Quality Time
- Acts of Service
Kindness
The quality of being generous, friendly, and considerate. You can show through acceptance, empathy, or thoughtfulness. It is more than being nice; it is intentional and voluntary. You have to be kind when things are both easy and hard. There are three components to showing Kindness
- Acceptance
- Forgiveness
- Empathy
There’s plenty of evidence of the benefits of meditating.
It can reduce stress, improve your mood, and help you understand your emotions better.
Do not be afraid to explore the many different options to figure out which type of meditation would be best for you. Try mindfulness and love kindness meditation if you do not know where to start.
It is a great way to connect with what you are thinking at the moment and apply self-love and healing techniques to help you understand what you need to do.
Love is kind. And Being kind is love.
Do you practice meditation daily? Do you have any meditation practices that benefited your life? Are there any hurdles that is stopping you from taking your meditation practice to the next level?
Please share them with us in the comments below!