Glossary: Types of Meditation

Meditation
is a sacred process in which the body is relaxed, the breathing becomes slow and deep, and a person goes deep within, becoming aware of the presence of God or of the awesomeness of creation. The mind is focused. Meditation is non-judgmental. Whether or not it is "boring" or "interesting" is inconsequential. It is a regular practice of inviting the divine or the awesomeness of creation. The meditator should not strive for a particular effect. This glossary defines different kinds of focus that are commonly used in meditation. BACK

Music meditation
uses music as the focus. Classical music, sacred music or new age music may be used. The meditator uses each note as a separate stimulus, drawing awareness into the moment. The music is not perceived as a pattern, but as separate notes. Sometimes the music is loud, causing vibration in the chest and body. Sometimes the music is chanted or the sacred syllable "Om" is used to establish the vibrations that helps to induce a meditative response. The music may be used as a way of becoming aware of the sacred and of God. BACK

Guided meditation
uses the voice and speech of a "leader" or facilitator as the focus. The voice may invite the meditator to imagine scenes in nature or experiences of color or sound. The leader's voice may be used just to induce relaxation. Or, it may be used to describe a series of experiences that invite reflection on a person's life and on spiritual issues such as the relationship to God or to Christ. Since guided meditation is non-judgmental, the meditation always is "perfect" whether or not a meditator's experience matches the images or experiences suggested. Whatever the reaction, the meditation is perfect. BACK

Unstructured meditation
is any meditation that uses a focus that does not suggest the type of experience a person is to have. Every meditation technique other than guided meditation is unstructured. BACK

Prayer or mantra.
Any phrase with a sacred meaning and a variety of tones, including deep tones, may make an effective focus for meditation. The focus can be: Yahweh, Yeshua, Lord Jesus have mercy on me, Thy will be done, Om Namah Shiviah, Ham Sah, Ma Om, or Om. BACK

Christian or Jewish meditation.
Meditation is a revered tradition. See Ecumenical Christian| Christian 1 , ~3| Christian retreats 1, ~2, ~3| Quaker| Jewish 1, ~2 , ~3| Jewish Mindful| BACK

Moving meditation
focuses on "open awareness" of the body's natural inclination to move, generally while music is played. The method used by The Foundation was developed as " Continuum" by Emily Conrad Daoud and Susan Harper. "Open awareness" is a process of paying very close attention to somatic experience and how the body wants to move, including gross motor movements, micro-movements of muscles, and changes in breathing. This meditation is non-judgmental and is always perfect. It invites a sense of the sacred. BACK

Meditation on the breath.
is awareness of the source of life, including the movement of air and the sensation of the movement of air. Intense awareness of the breath, in which oxygen is drawn into the body and waste gasses are expelled, is an ancient focus for meditation. BACK

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