Throughout history, many types of meditation have been created, shared, and evolved into the practices we see today.
With so many techniques, how does one choose the right one?
The best place to start is with the basics.
For beginners, practicing meditation through natural, relaxed breathing is ideal.
Techniques involving breath control can be introduced later, once the basics are familiar.
Visualization or mantra-based meditation is best practiced after building a solid foundation in basic breath meditation.
The most crucial factor when choosing a meditation technique is one’s personal disposition.
For highly active individuals, sitting meditation with eyes closed may not be suitable, as methods with significantly different rhythms or
thought speeds compared to daily life may feel uncomfortable.
However, a slightly slower-paced technique than one’s usual activity level is beneficial.
For example, those used to high-speed activities may prefer jogging or brisk walking meditation, while those who enjoy brisk walks could
try slowing down with a walking meditation.
Those with a calm nature and low activity level may benefit from seated meditation.
The recommended approach is to avoid limiting oneself to just one meditation technique.
Trying a variety of methods helps align with different emotional and physical needs.
Often, people assume they have a set disposition, but this may stem from habit rather than true preference.
Start by consistently practicing one basic meditation method and experiment with one or two other techniques to discover what feels best in different circumstances.
For those with fluctuating emotions, flexibility in practice allows for adapting to changes in activity levels and feelings.
Ultimately, the answer lies in self-discovery—let’s create our own meditation style.
This is, in essence, meditation on meditation itself.