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