Which of the 7 Types of Meditation Should I Do?
The general practice of meditation has been around almost as long as humanity itself, and it’s easy to see why: meditation is proven to release stress, improve sleep, and even alleviate chronic pain symptoms. Another upside to meditating is that pretty much anyone can do it almost anywhere they find a little free time!
However, that doesn’t mean it’s as simple as sitting down and chanting “OM” for a while. In fact, there are 7 types of meditation, and each one affords its own unique advantages. Depending on your goals, it’s helpful to know which one is best for you in order to make the most of these exercises.
The Right Meditation for Your Situation
As a master intuitive, I cannot say enough good things about meditation. The fulfillment we gain from spending time reflecting this way is invaluable. I’ve witnessed its power in people’s lives, and I recommend it to everyone who is interested in exploring a deeper level of awareness.
No matter where you are on your journey, meditating regularly can only add positive energy to your day-to-day schedule. Since there are various types of meditation to choose from, it’s nice to personalize your practice by studying the technique that’ll bring you the greatest amount of joy, relaxation, and spiritual healing. So let’s discuss the 7 types of meditation!
1. Mindfulness Meditation
When most people think of meditation, this is the style that comes to mind: occupying a quiet room by yourself, listening to your breath, and visualizing a body scan. Mindfulness meditation is used to remove common barriers to awareness and free ourselves up for growth on a soul level.
Also, intuition itself comes from within this liminal space, originating where consciousness ends and unconsciousness begins. We owe our intuition to conduits like mindfulness meditation, which serve as pathways between our experience of the physical and metaphysical planes.
New practitioners often begin their studies with mindfulness to achieve a foundational understanding of this practice. It’s a soft and sacred starting point that allows us to let go of our worries and prioritize sitting in a moment of self-awareness.
2. Concentration Meditation
Concentration meditation focuses on a tangible thing. It can be nearly anything, and common choices are things like the sound of your own breathing, the view outside your window, or the smell of a nearby candle. This centering of your mental energy brings about clarity, calmness, and increased presence in the moment.
By practicing concentration meditation, your goal is to become more attentive to your senses throughout any given day—not just when meditating. For especially intuitive individuals, concentration meditation taps into our ability to both inhabit our physical bodies mindfully and separate ourselves from them to inhabit a more enlightened state.
So if you’re hoping to sharpen your intuitive skills, this type of meditation would be useful. It’s ideal for managing mental health conditions too, such as anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Concentration meditation forces us to fixate on something common to bring awareness to its extraordinary details, making it the best choice for people who are having trouble discovering beauty and wonder in the everyday world.
3. Mantra Meditation
If you’ve seen a Sadhu chanting a phrase over and over, then you’ve witnessed the power of mantra meditation in action! This style involves the repetition of a word or phrase, sometimes silently, to direct our thoughts and simplify busy minds. By dedicating all of their attention to this activity, a person strengthens their resolve and amplifies their manifestations.
Mantra meditation is prominent in Hinduism and Buddhism for its spiritual properties and specific applications. For example, a mantra like “OM” corresponds to the crown chakra. Repetition of this word is intended to open the third eye like a key in a lock. How do you pick a mantra? If you’re religious, you can choose a text or common meditative phrase, but the truth is, it can be anything that resonates with you!
People who are easily distracted or burdened by racing thoughts benefit from mantra meditation, since it centers them on a single task and blurs the irrelevant periphery. It’s also a supportive meditation style for those who have dealt with trauma, as they can repeat mantras like “I am safe” or “I am cared for” to themselves.
4. Zen Meditation
Are you searching for a more regimented form of meditation? Zen meditation will have you following a structured lesson, where you must sit in a certain position, maintain proper posture, and idly observe the thoughts that cross your mind with a practiced detachment.
The purpose of Zen meditation is to relinquish control of everything to the present moment, leaving the past behind and moving forward with a clear head. It’s less flexible than other meditation types, but it’s also considered an art form. Zen Buddhists meditate like this for up to an hour or more per session, so it often requires great discipline to master.
On the one hand, intuitive personalities might not have the best luck with Zen meditation: we are so attuned to the vibrations of our environment that reaching the total silence desired in Zen practices isn’t likely. Then again, Zen meditation is truly enriching for people whose minds are constantly at work, giving them a sliver of organized peace during a hectic day.
5. Compassion Meditation
When we want to “send good vibes” out into the world, compassion meditation is the method of choice. Meditating compassionately connects us to the emotions of everyone we care about as well as humanity in general.
This is a great technique for cultivating healthier relationships and a stronger sensitivity toward the feelings of our fellow human beings. It requires us to recognize that there is misery and strife in the world and sit with the weight to manifest a brighter tomorrow. You may cry as you dwell on this harsh reality, but it’s also an opportunity to bring some light by radiating soul-led compassionate energy.
Empathetic folks will find that compassion meditation comes to them naturally, but often with significant difficulty. This type of meditation is a drain if you’re already highly empathetic, as it’s designed to focus that energy and concentrate it. If you struggle to read people or comprehend their thoughts and actions, compassion meditation training could be worth exploring.
6. Metta Meditation
Known as the “loving-kindness” meditation, metta meditation is a particularly healthy outlet for developing self-acceptance and cherishing our relationships. Being gentle with ourselves isn’t always easy, but metta meditation prepares you to love yourself first to better include friends and family in that warmth and abundance.
Metta meditation differs from compassion meditation because it’s less about learning how to navigate emotional pain and more about relishing the joy that’s all around us—it’s entirely uplifting!
This technique is a powerful tool for manifesting happiness and gives us a chance to send well wishes for our loved ones into the universe. It’s fitting for people who are stuck at a crossroads, as it empowers us to be courageous and stand firm in our understanding of ourselves. If you’ve noticed a gap in the kindness you extend inward despite offering it outward so frequently, it might be time to try metta meditation.
7. Vipassana Meditation
Of the 7 types of meditation, vipassana meditation is probably the most ancient and storied of the bunch. It’s also one of the more rewarding techniques for practitioners who report lasting improvements in their physical, mental, and emotional wellness.
The word vipassana translates to “seeing things as they really are.” Originating from India, it’s a deceivingly simple meditation style that challenges you to bridge the gap between mind and body. This means shedding your ego and quieting your energy to channel the spirit toward transcendental enlightenment, where the woes of the real world can’t touch you.
Vipassana asks us to take a deep dive into the soul, and that can be overwhelming for a lot of people. But if you’re looking to hit “refresh” on your life—perhaps following a bad breakup or career troubles—the vipassana method will certainly provide the kind of all-encompassing alignment you seek. It’s for individuals who crave guidance in this craft, and vipassana retreats and schools are common resources.
Expanding Your Horizons with Meditation
As evidenced by the 7 types of meditation, we have no shortage of options when it comes to incorporating this spiritual practice into our daily lives. There is so much to learn while meditating, yet we’re our own teachers in the process. That’s the joy and challenge of meditative processes, and it offers you the possibility of unlocking new states of being that are unique to your journey.
Meditation is exciting, calming, and reenergizing, all at once! It’s why I love practicing many of the 7 types of meditation myself. I hope you’ll try meditating as part of your self-care ritual—and don’t forget that I’m here as a guide on your intuitive journey! If you have specific goals or are just starting to explore a more inward life to find outward joy, I’m happy to help you find the perfect path. Wishing you a beautiful beginning with the best meditation style for you!
