I haven't taken it seriously when people who benefited from practicing meditation advised me to try it once. At least not until one night before sleep, I decided to try it out the next morning to keep my mind free from what I was going through then. Next morning, I sat in a comfortable place with gentle rays of morning sun touching my face and began to meditate. I closed my eyes but couldn't focus beyond 2 minutes as my thoughts started travelling around the world. Not understanding how to go about it, I felt that meditation is not my cup of tea. Eventually, I came across an informative piece through which I understood that meditation can be done in many ways, choosing the right one that fits us. To all those who are not happy with their meditation process, here's what I learnt. Choose the one that works for you and go ahead.

 

Mindfulness Meditation

 

This is one of the most prominent meditation styles that teaches all about the working of our own mind. This practice helps one to overcome despair, impatience, intolerance, and an array of other negative emotions and thoughts that keep one from living a peaceful life. 

 

How to follow? 

 

Start with knowing your present. Be aware of your own body and thoughts. 

 

Observe your thoughts and allow each one of them without criticising, stopping or altering. 

 

Keep returning to the object of meditation such as the breath and relax. Enjoy and feel the present moment. 

 

This is a cycle. Let it flow and follow it. 

 

2. Mantra Meditation or the Chanting Meditation: 

 

Chanting a mantra is found in all cultures ranging from Western religions to Buddhist and Hindu traditions. Here, the mind is to be centered on the words and the vibrance of the mantra that you choose to chant. One can either chant it loudly or quietly within oneself. 

 

How to Follow? 

 

Sit in a comfortable position with your back straight and hands relaxed.

 

Chant the mantra or phrase of your choice aloud repeatedly. As you do it, focus on the meaning along with the sounds.

 

Eventually you can shift to chanting mentally as per your convenience. 

 

3. Trataka Meditation

 

This practice helps in clearing the mind of distractions and is useful to enhance concentration along with strengthening the eye muscles. 

 

How to Practice? 

 

Light the candle and place it at your eye level.

 

Sit in a comfortable posture with hands relaxed on the thighs. Concentrate exactly at the center of the candle flame. 

 

Keeping your eyes steady without blinking, gaze for as long as possible without straining the eyes. You can close them when you need to.

 

 

4. Visualization Meditation

 

In this, one should visualize a scene or light in order to widen their consciousness or to change their mood from negative to positive.

 

 

How to Follow? 

 

Sit in a meditative posture. 

 

Visualize an image that triggers a positive mood or quality. For example, you can visualise yourself sitting in a green field or on a sea shore. This will uplift your mood. 

 

Traditional methods like visualizing light or any sacred symbol at the point right between the eyebrows or at the heart's center are also in practice. 

 

5. Chakra Meditation

 

In the Yogic philosophy, 7 energy centers of higher perception in the spine and brain are mentioned. This meditation style is all about focusing on these seven energy centers. Practicing this promotes a sense of self-satisfaction, inner peace and a greater connection to one's sense of self.

 

 

How to Practice? 

 

Sit with an erect spine and hands relaxed on the thighs facing up.

 

Focus your mind on the spine.

 

Focus on the chakras starting at the base of the spine and gradually move up to the top of the head.

 

The above are the meditation styles that I've found. Choose the one that is comfortable to you and reap the benefits out of this magical practice. 

 

Do you know any other styles of meditation? If yes, comment below. Let's share knowledge and grow together.