8 Different Types of Meditation Practices (& Form Benefits)

How many types of meditation are there?

Choosing from the many different types of meditation techniques can be a daunting task for beginners. Did you know that you can even learn how to meditate in bed? We have selected the three main types of meditation and the various different ways of meditation nested under each main meditation type.

What are the different types of meditation practices & their benefits?

Now we will look at the various meditation types and benefits of meditation.  These various meditative practices have been created through the centuries to help meditators stay in the present moment in their daily life and achieve a state of well-being and good mental health.

Buddhist Meditation Techniques

Let’s take a look at the Buddhist techniques and the types of meditation and the benefits associated with them.

Zen Meditation

In Japanese, Zen meditation translates to seated meditation. It is also known as Zazen meditation and is rooted in the Zen Buddhist traditions of China. With this kind of meditation, the important element is placing yourself in a comfortable position and concentrating on deep breathing while counting your breaths. If the mind wanders, go back to the start.

Benefits of Zen Meditation

It is a form of meditation that can be done alone or in a group. It helps improve posture and ability to concentrate. Blood pressure is improved and stabilized. Great for people who would like to be a part of a community.

Vipassana Meditation

The Vipassana meditation Buddhist traditions can be traced back to the 6th century BCE.

The word Vipassana translates to “clear seeing” in English. This mindfulness meditation practice focuses on deep breathing and was made popular in the west by S.N. Goenka.  While meditating in this manner, many physical sensations will arise that can be distracting. It is all about returning to deep breathing.

Benefits of Vipassana Meditation

This type of meditation helps one achieve inner peace by grounding you in your body. It gives deeper insights into the inner workings of the mind and helps one focus on the present moment.

Mindfulness Meditation

This type of meditation was adapted from the Buddhist traditions as well as Zen teachings from Vietnam. It comes from the term “sati” which means “mindful of breathing”. John Kabat-Zinn is one of the most influential figures of Mindfulness in the western world.

Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness meditation helps one to focus on the present moment by snapping out of auto-pilot. It can also be a walking meditation or practiced whenever you feel like you need a stress reduction moment to yourself. Mindfulness practice is great for beginners, as it is not too physically challenging.

Loving Kindness Meditation (AKA Metta Meditation)

Metta is a Pali term that translates to “compassion, generosity, and pleasant will.” This technique is derived from Buddhist traditions, particularly the Theravada and Tibetan branches. “Metta meditation” is a modern scientific discipline that proves the effectiveness of metta and associated meditative techniques.

Benefits of Loving Kindness Meditation

Benefits have been demonstrated to include: improving one’s ability to feel empathy with others; developing beneficial feelings through kindness, such as a more affectionate outlook toward oneself; enhanced self; a greater sense of mastery about one’s life; and a greater sense of intent in one’s life.

Hinduism forms of meditation & benefits

Hinduism also offers various forms of meditation. These include Mantra Meditation, Transcendental Meditation, and Yogi Meditation.

Mantra Meditation

A mantra is a word or phrase that is chanted with the aim of concentrating your thoughts. It typically has no special significance. It is not an assertion that you use to persuade yourself of anything.

Benefits of Mantra Meditation

People typically feel that focusing on a mantra is easier than focusing on their breathing. Because a mantra is a word, and ideas are typically interpreted as words, it may be simpler to maintain concentration on sound rather than deep breathing. It is especially beneficial when the mind wanders, as mantra meditation requires continual concentration.

Transcendental Meditation

Transcendental Meditation is a type of Mantra Meditation that was developed in India and the West by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1955. The Maharishi rose to prominence as the guru of The Beach Boys and the Beatles and other superstars in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Benefits of Transcendental Meditation

It is one of the most popular types of meditation, with over 5 million participants globally, and there is a large body of scientific data supporting the benefits of the technique, much of which is funded by the institution.

Chinese Meditation Techniques

There are two types of Chinese Meditation techniques: Taoist and Qigong. Below we will cover these Chinese styles of meditation and the benefits associated with each.

Taoist form of meditation

Daoism is a Chinese ideology and faith that may be traced back to Lao Tzu. It stresses residing in balance with Creation, or Tao, and its primary book is the Tao Te Ching, which dates back to the sixth century B.C. Later, certain Taoist lineages were affected by Buddhist meditation methods introduced from India, particularly in the 8th century C.E.

Benefits of the Taoist form of meditation

People who are more in tune with their bodies and environment may appreciate Taoist meditation and want to learn about the theory behind it. If you enjoy martial arts, this may be of value to you. Nevertheless, Taoist groups and instructors are not as common as Buddhism and Yogic institutions, so it may be difficult to follow through.

Qigong

Qigong, which means “life force growth” in Chinese, is a body-mind practice for wellness, relaxation, and fighting experience. It usually entails gradual bodily movement, focussing inwards, and controlled deep breathing.

Benefits if the Qigong form of meditation

Qigong may be more appealing to those who enjoy including more active bodywork and energetic work into their training. If stationary meditation is too much for you and you want to do something more active, consider some of the more energetic forms of Qigong.

What type of meditation should I do?

If you have been wondering which type of meditation is right for you, why not try our quiz to help you decide?

Our Conclusion about the different kinds of meditation styles

There are so many different kinds of meditation to choose from. We suggest you pick a meditation practice that best suits your lifestyle. Whether it’s simply being seated and practicing visualization or chanting, or whether it is meditating while focusing on a specific part of the body, there are many different ways how to meditate which will suit your ability level.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best form of meditation for beginners?

Zen meditation is a great choice for beginners. It does not require much experience or time. It is an easy way to learn how to relax your mind and body by focusing on your deep breathing techniques.

Which is the best type of meditation overall?

The best types of meditation all depend on what you want from the experience. Every meditation offers its own benefits. You might prefer movement meditation or Zen meditation, depending on how active you want to be. It is best to consult the different techniques and benefits of meditation and see what fits you best.

Does Guided Meditation Work?

Another popular meditation technique is guided meditation. It can help you stay present in the moment by listening to meditation programs on the internet. There are many meditation apps that offer guided meditations along with many other techniques.