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