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Different Meditation Techniques

10th December, 2009 - Posted by health news - No Comments

Do you feel that life gets a little too out-of-control sometimes? Anger, sadness, jealousy or anxiety sometimes incapacitates you. You feel you’re disorganized and forgetful more often than not. You find it hard to concentrate when you need to focus the most. Life just seems to pass you by and you occasionally wonder, “What is the point of life, really?” It’s okay if you feel that way, as it is human nature, yet a meditation teacher would say you don’t have to feel this way. Through meditation techniques, you can free yourself from negative emotions that arise and find a deep sense of calmness and self awareness.

Most of the modern techniques for mediation fall into one of two categories: Zen-based forms (which involve insight meditation) and Hinduism-based forms (which involve concentrative meditation). With Zen-based meditation, like vipassana or mindfulness meditation, you will become aware of the passing of thoughts and feelings, without becoming emotionally involved. The person meditating sits quietly and allows any thought to pass through the mind, while gently redirecting the focus to the here and now. Breathing and observing body sensations helps to block out distractions to achieve perfect concentration, although there is always a consciousness about the process of achieving meditation.

Meditation techniques like concentrative are most ideal for beginners because they are easier to learn. You will sit quietly and focus on a breath, a sound or an image. Through close attention, your mind will reach greater clarity on its own. When you are upset or stressed, your breathing tends to be more shallow and rapid. Once you note this and focus on the pattern, your breathing will begin to slow and you will feel a heightened awareness. By contrast, Zen/Buddhist meditation have you paying close attention to inner feelings, thoughts and reality, with an emphasis placed on detaching yourself from emotion to exist in the present.

When practicing meditation techniques at home, it’s difficult to know whether you’re on the right path or just faking it. Initially, relaxation meditation does feel artificial and a bit forced. Before you reach awareness, you must first battle your mind’s natural tendency to run the show and control everything. As you focus on inner feelings, breathing and visualization, you will find your cares and frustrations melt away. Understand that as long as you are breathing slowly and rhythmically, you are likely on the right path.

Beth Kaminski is the co-author of Curing Your Anxiety And Panic Attacks which detailed end panic attacks as well as tips on the various panic disorder medications available at anxietydisordercure.com.