There are multiple different types of meditation styles, and finding the one that’s right for you can take some trial and error. As you start a meditation practice, try one or more of the following to see what resonates most with you.
Focused Attention Meditation
In this type of meditation, you’ll hold your attention one one thing in particular. For example, you might focus your mind’s eye on a beautiful image or a strong emotion. When your mind wanders, simply direct your attention back to what you were focusing on.
Mindfulness Meditation
In this Buddhist style of meditation, the goal is to bring your focus on your breath and continue to return your focus to the breath when your mind wanders. When strong emotions surface or your thoughts are directed elsewhere, recognize this is happening but try not to react to whatever it is that’s coming up. The benefit of practicing this is that you’ll become more aware of your internal patterns, which in turn can help you become
more mindful.
Transcendental Meditation
In this style of meditation that’s growing in popularity around the world, you’re asked to silently repeat a mantra — a word or phrase, often given to you by a Transcendental meditation teacher during what’s called an initiation, and used as a “tool for the mind.” The thinking is that by focusing your attention on the mantra, you may be more likely to reach another state of consciousness during
your meditation.
Loving-kindness Meditation
This is another Buddhist style of meditation where you’ll generate kind intentions toward yourself and others and focus on those while you meditate. For example, you might first imagine yourself experiencing experiencing total health, happiness, and overall wellness, and then imagine other people in your life enveloped with those same feelings of inner peace, happiness, health, and love