Mindfulness Meditation is a form of secular meditation that is about paying attention to how our mind works and our body feels.
It’s focusing your attention on the breath in the present moment and noticing your thoughts without judgement or emotion and then returning your attention to your breath over and over again. Mindful Meditation is an adaptation of an ancient form of Buddhist meditation by the name of Vipassana, without all the Buddhist cultural and religious elements.
There are many other styles or types of meditation, most of which have been practiced for thousands of years in one form or another. The following is a partial list of different meditation styles from different cultures and religions around the world.*
Buddhist Styles
Vipassana
Created in the 6th century BC as part of Theravada Buddhism – known for 10 day intensive retreats.
Zen
Focus is on open awareness without lingering, paying attention to the space between thoughts.
Metta
Known as Loving Kindness meditation from Theravada and Tibetan Buddhist lineages.
Yogic/Vedic Styles
Mantra Meditation
The use of internal sound repetition as the focus of the meditation.
TM – Transcendental Meditation
Started by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1955. Mantra based style. The mantras used are standardized by age and gender.
Other Yogic styles include…
Chakra based, Kundalini stimulation, Tantric, Self-Inquiry.
Chinese Styles
Taoist Meditation
Centers on the generation, transformation and circulation of Qi.
Qigong Meditation
Focuses concentration on the creation of Qi energy in the “belly area” just below the navel (known as the Dan Tian in Chinese culture or 3rd Chakra in Buddhist culture) and then circulating that Qi along a certain orbit following two important Chinese energy meridians/channels.
Religious Styles
Though called meditation these are generally contemplative practices that are practiced in many of the world’s religions. These include contemplating biblical or other religious passages, asking questions, counting the Rosary, or daily prayers/communing with God.
*Courtesy of Wesley Tudor – Owner/Founder; Raja Yoga, Philadelphia, PA
