| There are as many types of meditation | | | | this category and it involves directly |
| techniques as there are wonderful flavors of | | | | perceiving the fact of what is by acute |
| ice cream. This allow each person to find a | | | | observation of the thinking process. This is |
| flavor that is delicious to them. In this | | | | the flavor that I enjoy best and I have |
| article series I will provide an overview of | | | | explained it in detail in the The Silent Mind |
| many of the different meditation techniques | | | | Meditations, which are part of the Silent |
| that exist and hopefully this will help you | | | | Mind Meditation Program. These meditations |
| find the style that is sweetest to you. | | | | are an extension of the teachings of Jiddu |
| | | | Krishnamurti. |
| Some meditation styles suit those of an | | | | |
| intellectual disposition, while others are | | | | 2. Sound (Mantra) & Intention Meditation |
| more attractive to those who prefer the path | | | | Techniques: The meditations that fall under |
| of love and surrender. Still others, with an | | | | this category use the science of sound and |
| active approach to life, may like the | | | | thought vibrations (Naad Yoga), along with |
| meditation techniques involving movement, | | | | rhythm and music (Laya Yoga) to purify the |
| while those with a strong mind would enjoy | | | | heart and mind. These meditations have a wide |
| the approach of visualization and | | | | range of applications, from bestowing |
| concentration. Overall, there are several | | | | Enlightenment, to improving health, wealth, |
| broad categories under which we can capture | | | | happiness, peace etc... |
| most of these various meditation practices | | | | |
| and in Part 1 I will explore Insight | | | | A. Mantra Japa Meditation Technique: This |
| Meditation Techniques and Sound (Mantra) and | | | | meditation method uses the repetition of a |
| Intention Meditation Techniques. | | | | mantra (a particular sound, word or phrase) |
| | | | verbally or mentally to create the necessary |
| 1. Insight Meditation Techniques: These are | | | | conditions for purification, refinement or |
| the meditations of choice for the Gyan Yogis | | | | expansion to take place. Mantras are |
| or those drawn to the intellectual path. It | | | | essentially keys which allow one to tune into |
| incorporates the advanced meditation | | | | the individual energy field or tune into the |
| techniques from the Zen school of Buddhism, | | | | Universal Energy field to produce certain |
| the Advaita Vedanta school of Hinduism, | | | | desired results. Here is an example of using |
| certain schools of Western Religions among | | | | OM Mantra to activate the Third Eye Chakra. |
| others. | | | | |
| | | | B. Rhythm Meditation Technique: This form of |
| A. WHO AM I Meditation Technique: This | | | | meditation uses the combination of rhythm, |
| techniques comes from the school of Advaita | | | | chanting, music and breath to calibrate and |
| Vedanta (Non-Dualism / End of Knowledge). The | | | | perfect the system. The excellent Three Step |
| meditation was popularized by Shri Ramana | | | | Rhythmic Breathing (3srb) meditation |
| Maharishi and is based on negation of the | | | | technique of Sage Pantanjali and many |
| false self in order to realize one's True | | | | Kundalini Yoga meditations fall under this |
| Nature. Here is an example of my experience | | | | category, among others. |
| with WHO AM I Meditation Practice. | | | | |
| | | | C. Meditation via Song: Most of the |
| B. Koan Meditation Technique: These | | | | meditations from the path of Devotion (Bhakti |
| meditations come from the Zen school of | | | | Yoga) and Love, designed to dissolve the ego |
| Buddhism and are designed to break down the | | | | belong in this category. This is a path most |
| ordinary pattern of conceptual, dualistic | | | | dear to those who are emotional in nature and |
| thinking. By breaking down the interference | | | | feel a deep love for the divine. |
| created by the thinking mechanism the | | | | Christianity, Gospel, Sufi Meditations, Hare |
| practitioner is brought to confront the | | | | Krishna Meditations, Kirtans and Bhajans are |
| non-dual reality of "what is" directly and | | | | some examples of techniques in this category. |
| thus Awaken. | | | | |
| | | | D. Meditation via Prayer & Intention: All |
| C. Contemplation Meditation Technique: These | | | | religions have meditations involving prayer |
| meditations utilize introspection, | | | | and worship. The meditations that also use |
| self-study, reflection, self-dialogue and | | | | the power of intention to manifest desires |
| contemplation to cut through the layers of | | | | fall under this category. |
| false conditioning and false understanding | | | | |
| that deludes the mind. These meditations have | | | | So you can see from above, these is a rich |
| their roots in many Western Religions and are | | | | diversity to the Art of Meditation and |
| also a part of Eastern philosophies. | | | | certainly something for everybody. If one of |
| | | | the styles above does not catch your fancy, |
| D. Silent Mind Meditation Technique: This | | | | not to worry, I will be serving up more tasty |
| meditation technique is my contribution to | | | | flavors in part 2 of this series. |