The term meditation gains more and more popularity in the western world. Depending on how much you came across this term it can mean anything and nothing. I dived into this topic on and off now for several years and one thing can be sure:
Rush (shot in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
Most people are probably known with the “so-called” mindfulness meditation in which you focus (are mindful) of one certain aspect in or outside your body, such as focusing on your breath or focusing on an object for a certain amount of time – while not thinking of any past of future events. People with other traditional backgrounds probably have a totally different concept and more clear ideas about it. But I can only write from a western standpoint.
Having said that different meditations require entirely different actions, have different content and entirely different goals as well. The goals can vary from quieting your mind to gaining perspective or serving religious purposes. In the field of meditation the traditional cultural background of meditation plays a highly important role to these of have been practicing this “method” originally before it became popular and also commercialized in other areas of the world.
According to a renowned professor in this field (compare Sedlmeier) meditation can be vaguely categorized into the following categories.
Focusing on the breath
Plays a central role in almost all kinds of meditations. There are various approaches. It aims at directing your attention.
Observing the body, emotions and thoughts
For example just sitting and observing what sensations arise. There is also the possibility to just observe one specific part of the body. Come back to focus when your attention slides away.
Influencing the breath and body
This is possible by influencing on where your breath flows and for example systematically scanning your body. All active meditations can possibly have negative effects and should not be conducted without a teacher.
Repeating words and whole sentences
Here you can for example repeat a certain mantra. It is used in transcendal meditation.
Focus on an object. Every object imaginary or real is possible. By focusing on an object the ongoing thought process can be calmed.
Influencing feelings positively
Cultivating various positive feelings towards various concrete or abstract entities.
Loving meditation
Opening up
Meditating while moving
e.g. walking and meditating; Thai Chi belong to this area.
Keep your head cool (shot in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
Personally I have tried meditating by focusing on the breath and being in movement. For me I feel a direct calming effect of these methods and I like the feeling a lot. Others report that they don't like, don't need it or are just not interested. For me it's a fascinating topic and I will dive more deeply in it.
