Common Forms Of Meditation
Meditation is a human state of concentration that often means to focus one's thoughts and attention on a specific object or a specific idea or thought. This form of intense and deep concentration often leads individuals to higher states of awareness or enlightenment. Meditation is commonly associated with many eastern religions and practices.
There are now two main kinds of meditation, namely, concentration and mindfulness. The difference between the two is the focus of the person involved in meditating. In mindfulness, most individuals focus their attention on background experience and perception. In concentration, the individual meditating usually focuses on a certain object or thought.
Hinduism
Meditation is practiced both spiritually and religiously in Hinduism. Yoga is the practice of meditating and mastering philosophy in Hinduism. Under Yoga, there are many other different types of meditation which are believed to help a person elevate oneself spiritually and physiologically. The main aim of many individuals who meditate is to achieve a state of calm and serenity.
Buddhism
In Buddhism, this form of concentration is a way of life. Many Buddhists practice meditation in two forms which are somewhat intertwined with each other. Shamatha and Vipassana are used to achieve enlightenment. These two ways culture the ability to focus on thoughts and inner self. Usually, it is the breath that many people focus on when meditating while others concentrate on loving kindness.
Christianity
Prayer can also be considered a form of meditation. The praying of the rosary and Adoration are forms of concentration that can be credited as meditation which focus on a pre-selected object. Although, Christianity is primarily not an old eastern religion, many eastern nations follow it and some integrate their cultural meditations in it.
Islam
In Islam, meditation is a time where an individual may recollect and heal himself, as well as a time for abstract thoughts and creativity. Some forms of meditating in Islam also include reflections of the universe where the individual focuses on receiving divine thoughts and inspirations that can provoke the development of the inner self.
Among the many different kinds and types of meditation, any individual need not be fully guided or trained in a specific mantra or school of thought. Individuals can meditate on their own without the proper guidance of a yogi or teacher but this can be confusing for some without guidance. Often, meditation is loosely used to describe concentrating on a certain problem of thought that the individual needs a solution to.
