2 ESSENTIAL TYPES OF MEDITATION METHODS...
Deepen Your Spiritual Development
Copyright© David Campione
2 Types of Meditation Practice:
Structured and Unstructured
There are 2 General Types of Meditation
Many people ask me general questions about learning to meditate. Usually though it's: How do I do it? To begin your sacred journey to wholeness, I offer basic meditation information with instructions that you'll need to get started. Essentially there are two different types of meditation: structured and unstructured. For example, meditating on the sky-like nature of your mind would be unstructured; meditating on your breath, structured.
Structured Meditation
I always suggest that one begins with the first of the two types of meditation which is "structured" because the process of meditation is simple...but not easy. There is a difference between simple and easy. When we are learning to meditate, we use a structured method so the mind has parameters already set up for it; it's a simple way for us to focus.
Let's practice a little structured meditation. Okay? Good. Join me right now in your seat.
One of the ways to meditate: So...first sit up straight but get comfortable. Slow your breath. Actually, you are going to "watch" your breath. Yes, slow it down.
After you read all of this general meditation information, close your eyes and practice with me...right here...right now. You can do it. Did you notice I said to close your eyes? You do not have to close your eyes during meditation. However, when learning to meditate I suggest that you do because otherwise you'll have more stimulus coming into your brain from your eyes...and that will cause more distraction for you.
Feel the presence of this moment.
Be aware of how you feel. Sense your breath slowly flowing in and out at the indentation space between your top lip and the tip of your nose. Softly touch there under your nose with your index finger (second finger) to feel the location.
Now...continue to breathe very slowly and consciously. "Watch" this process of breathing without judgement. If your mind starts to wander...hey...it's okay. Just gently bring your focus back to the task at hand: Watching your breath. Like a bird that flies to a perch for rest before flying away again...let your mind relax by focusing on your breath. Avoid becoming upset if your mind is jumping around like a wild drunken monkey! This is normal in the beginning of your practice.
With compassion just keep returning your attention to the breath--methodically going in and out...in and out. Feel the air a bit cool going in, and warmer going out. Be kind to yourself--and be patient. Relax your mind and let go. FOCUS on the breath. As thoughts arise just let them float away like the clouds in the sky temporarily obscuring the sun. Your thoughts are the clouds...they constantly move...so let them go.
You did it! Wow...you're thinking that was simple. Gradually you'll practice 3-5 minutes...then build up to 10 minutes at a time.
Longer sessions are great...eventually half an hour...and an hour, etc. The longer you practice and expand the ways to meditate, the more you'll relate to the possible challenges of this healing discipline. That means your mind may get restless and really wander. For ex.: If you are completely re-decorating your apartment or house in your mind during meditation practice then obviously you're not focusing on the structured technique (which in our example was watching the breath).
In time, as your awareness is fine-tuned...you'll "struggle" less and less with the focus, as you dissolve the ego into the great space of "all there is." Keep practicing...even in this present moment.
Look at this photo...let your mind relax into the beauty and peace of this reflection.
I took this after meditating.
It captures the magnanimous beauty of life...
don't you think? Twilight time is my favorite
time of day:
The "between" time, when the Earth's energy
has a palpable shift if you open up to it.
New...
Want to 'see' more ways to meditate? This link will take you to beautiful pictures of meditation, and more meditation information. Enjoy!
Click here to expand consciousness further with other types of meditation: Meditation Visualization: A "Spherical" View
Meditation Information: Learn Brainwave Technology: "alpha state"
Article on Learning to Meditate: "Meditation is not what you think"
Meditation Information Articles:
click & scroll to unstructured "Sky Meditation"
Here I am back in the early 1980's
in Nassau, Bahamas meditating with
The Master: Swami Sivananda.
It's a lovely mural at the Sivananda Ashram.
(If you know who painted it, would you let me know?)
Need more of an overview of meditation information? Click here for Meditation: The Ultimate Brain Exercise
Thanks for visiting today. I trust you learned a bit more about the essential 2 types of meditation. Learning to meditate is such a vast topic, and in today's world--a crucial one for our continued spiritual evolution.
I invite you to explore this site with your expanded "360" view; Then 'bookmark it' as a treasury for your next journey to self-discovery and empowerment.
Best with Blessings,
Rev Nancy
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