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