April 13, 2025
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Exploring Different Types of Meditation: A Road to Inner Peace

Table of Contents For Types Of Meditation

  1. Introduction
  2. Transcendental Meditation
  3. Mindfulness Meditation
  4. Loving-Kindness Meditation
  5. Isha Kriya
  6. Buddhist Meditation
  7. Conclusion

Introduction to types of meditation

Meditation has grown in popularity in recent years, with people from all professions learning about its many benefits. From decreased stress to increased focus to improved emotional health, the many types of meditation have something for everyone. In this blog, we are going to discuss five different forms of meditation, their specificity and beneficial impact on your life.

Transcendental Meditation

Transcendental Meditation (TM) — a simple, effortless technique in which you silently repeat a mantra. This form of meditation became popular in the 1960s has been practiced now by millions around the world.

Special features of Transcendental Meditation:

  • Twice daily practice of 20 minutes each
  • A personal mantra assigned to you by a teacher trained in TM
  • Seeks a condition of restful alertness

Benefits:

  • Reduces stress and anxiety
  • Improves sleep quality* Boosts creativity and productivity

TM website: Click To Read More

Mindfulness Meditation

In the Western world, mindfulness meditation may be the most popular form of meditation practices. It emphasizes staying present and noticing thoughts and sensations without judgment.

How to do a mindfulness meditation:

  1. HINT: Start with a seated position you are comfortable in
  2. Focus on your breath
  3. As your thoughts drift away, guide your focus back to your breath
  4. Depending on your level of comfort, continue everyone and proceed for 5–30 minutes.

Benefits:

  • Alleviates anxiety and depression symptoms* Enhances focus and concentration* Improves emotional regulation

To practice guided mindfulness meditations, see apps like Headspace or Calm.

Just in: Loving-Kindness Meditation

Loving-kindness meditation, or Metta meditation, is a technique focusing on feeling love and compassion for yourself and others.

How to practice loving-kindness meditation:

  1. Get comfy in your seat, and close your eyes
  2. Think of someone you truly love
  3. Silently repeat phrases such as “May you be happy, may you be healthy, may you be safe”
  4. Begin to extend these well-wishes, slowly but surely, to yourself, then to others, then onward toward all beings

Benefits:

  • Enhances feelings of compassion and empathy
  • Diminishes negative states such as anger and resentment* Enhances relationships and social ties

Isha Kriya

Sadhguru, founder of the Isha Foundation, created a simple and effective meditation process known as Isha Kriya. This 12-minute practice combines breath counting with a mantra and visualization.

The short list of most important aspects of Isha Kriya:

  • Breath awareness* I am not the body. I am not even the mind.”* Energy channeling up and down the spine

Benefits:

  • Reduces stress and anxietyHelps with clarity and alertness*
  • Enhances overall well-being

Isha Kriya is available here for free.

Buddhist Meditation

Buddhist meditation plays a variety of roles, but two of the most prevalent types of practice are vipassana meditation and Zen meditation.

Vipassana Meditation:

  • Aims to gain insight into how reality is structured
  • This includes looking at the body and objects of the mind
  • Taught extensively in 10-day intensive silent retreats

Zen Meditation (Zazen):

  • Focuses on posture and breath awareness* Goal is a place of “no-mind” or pure consciousness
  • Typically done with the practitioner sitting on a cushion or bench

Advantages of Buddhist meditation:

  • Nurtures wisdom and understanding
  • Quell suffering and attachment Aging in reverse: * Fosters serenity and inner calm

If you want to further explore Buddhist meditation, check out a local Buddhist center, or go to a meditation retreat.

Conclusion

There are a lot of meditations, so if you are not getting something worthwhile out of your meditation, look into exploring the different forms of meditation to find what fits you best. Whether you are attracted to the simplicity of Transcendental Meditation, the being-present-in-the-moment awareness that mindfulness offers, or the compassion-centered practice of loving-kindness meditation, there’s a technique for everyone.

Keep in mind that the key to meditation is consistency. Practice only a few minutes a day and build upon that. It might be a good idea to use several different kinds of meditating to figure out which works best for you.

Have you done any of these types of meditation? Have you had this experience? Comment below with how you feel and be sure to sign up for our newsletter for more advice on mindfulness and personal development.