The history of meditation is quite controversial but many believe that meditation began in India. The oldest documented evidence dates back to 5000 to 3500 BCE. There have been numerous records that show people seated in meditative postures with partially closed eyes. Some written historic evidence does exist in the Vedas from 1500 BCE.

The English word “Meditation” is derived from a Latin word “Meditatum” which translated to “to ponder.” As stated the anthropologists believe that the origins of meditation are in South Asia. The traders that came to this part of the world from abroad realized and got inspired from the around the territories that stretched beyond.

Soon People from these regions came to the meditation hot spots in Asia and learned this art of healing their souls and to find their path to enlightenment. The practice of meditation spread throughout the world and acquired many forms. Some of these forms of meditation are mentioned here with their benefits. In general, there are two basic types of meditation one is performed statically and at rest. The other forms of meditation require motion such a Tai Chi that originated in China.

Yogic Meditation

There are many types of Yogic techniques symbolized by body postures and breathing. The most prominent form of it is “Pranayama.” It is a seated meditation with legs crossed. The essence of this yoga is breathing techniques. This form of yoga changes the state of mind and it is extremely good for stress relief. The challenge with this form of yoga is to center the mind.

Candle Meditation

This is a form of meditation that is performed with your eyes open in a dark room. You need candles (preferably scented) for this meditation practice. Take out the candles from their Candle Boxes. Place them at the level of your head with a comfortable distance as they are lit. It is preferable to have a dark room. Focus is the key in this type of meditation as the rest of the surrounding fades away in the dark as you gaze the candle with still eyes. This meditation can make you overcome the monkey mind by increasing your focus and memory. It is known to improve your eyesight also by strengthening the muscles in your eyes.

Chakra Meditation

The ancient meditation scholars have pointed out that there are seven chakras in the human body and each chakra has its color that is (from bottom-up) Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet. Every human being has a field around himself that is called an aura in holistic sciences. The concoctions of these colors determine the type of personality traits if individuals. Chakra meditation can enhance your bodily energy also. Chakras are vortexes of energy and you need an instructor or a spiritual teacher to guide you through this type of meditation if you are a beginner. This form of meditation is enormously powerful and can alter arguably alter your personality.

Cosmic Meditation

Cosmic meditation can enhance your visualization. It can better connect you with the universe and increase your awareness. Proper breathing centers the awareness. The visualization may consist of imagining a revolving light around your body as you meditate.

Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness meditation is a form of meditation that helps overcome emotional disturbances and problems. You need to find a peaceful, calm and quiet spot. When you begin meditation you need to be all the time aware of where you are and what you are doing but you should not be overly reactive and overwhelmed by what is going around you.

Standing Nature Meditation

Our world is full of never-ending desires and needs. Everything we wand seems to come in flashy and fancy Custom Packaging. Some people argue that you cannot enjoy spiritual bliss by holding desires at the same time. Others argue that spiritualization can be achieved which is rich and has an abundance. Dalai Lama, a famous Buddist monk and preacher once said, “It is said that a real meditator never feels the lack of external materials.”

Whatever the case may be, meditation can connect you to nature and it can make you feel better.

  1. Stand somewhere where you feel ease and comfort.
  2. Make sure you are not wearing any shoes and you are not standing on any man-made object.
  3. You should be barefoot.
  4. Your feet should be touching the earth (grass, sand, soil).
  5. Twist your toes
  6. Try to feel the energy of the earth under your feet
  7. Take deep breathes and imagine drawing in the energy in your body from mother Earth.
  8. Close your eyes.
  9. Try to relax by taking breathes in a rhythm.
  10. Open your awareness to the sounds of nature as the chirping of birds or passing of wind.
  11. Keep a note on your thoughts and feelings.
  12. Feel yourself getting rejuvenated by the true spirit of nature.

This type of meditation has very unique and astonishing health benefits on all levels that would surprise your medical doctor.

Visualization Meditation

This is a form a mediation that is used to bring success and change in life. Quite ironically this meditation has its roots in Buddism, Taoism, and Yoga. It is done through visualizing the life you want for yourself under the influence of serine meditation. Many successful people have claimed to have applied different variations of visualizations and meditation techniques.

Vipassana Meditation

Also known as Goenka meditation. It has been named after a famous spiritual teacher. Vipassana meditation primarily is for achieving enlightenment and insight into something. This mediation aligns with the Buddhist meditations. Vipassana is for the clarity of thought and allows you to see as the true nature of things. A Buddhist form of meditation, the emphasis is on breathing. It cultivates the contemplative and introspective mind and enhances the awareness behind the bodily sensations.

Sufi Meditation

Sufi meditation flourished in the Islamic world. The inspirations may be from Buddist or Hindu origins but the worship of one God is not to be compromised. The worship of idols and images of any kind as they prevail in other religions are strictly forbidden in Sufism. There are several Sufi types of meditation. The Sufi Heartbeat Meditation is usually practiced while seated on the ground. It relies on the awareness of heartbeats to gain a connection with the spirit (or the Divine entity). During meditation, the development of the feelings of warmth, peace, and sweetness is considered essential and mantras could be recited.

The meditation is something that tames and trains the spiritual essence to acquire different goals that are not achievable by other means. Some mediation practices are dangerous when performed without the instructions of a qualified and trained instructor. They can lead to mental disorders and emotional problems, so to perform them you need to be well prepared to reap the true benefits.