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What are the types of meditation?
Meditation is an ancient method of employing the
mind-body connection to achieve specific developmental goals.
Over the four thousand years since the beginning of Yoga,
the developmental goals have shifted, and so have the methods.
All meditation methods are effective in reducing
stress, but they do so in different ways. For example, the earliest
methods meant to explore the field of consciousness beyond the
physical universe, as the material world was seen as
illusory and limiting. As a by-product, these methods eliminate stress
by creating detachment. In contrast, modern methods of meditation
honor the physical world as the final step in spirituality, and
honor the problems of life as the stimuli of growth.
They do not create detachment; they create creativity.
The defining characteristic of meditation is conscious breathing.
Here's what Dr. Andrew Weil says about conscious breathing:
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The single most effective relaxation technique I know is conscious
regulation of breath.
In many languages - the words for spirit and breath
are one and the same
(Sanskrit prana, Hebrew ruach, Greek pneuma,
Latin spiritus). Breathing is the bridge between mind and body, the connection between
consciousness and unconsciousness, the movement of spirit in matter.
Breath is the key to health and wellness, a function we can learn to
regulate and develop in order to improve our physical, mental and
spiritual well-being.
Breathing is special in several respects: it is the only function you
can perform consciously as well as unconsciously, and it can be a
completely voluntary act or a completely involuntary act, as it is
controlled by two sets of nerves, one belonging to the voluntary nervous
system, the other to the involuntary (autonomic) system. Breath is the
bridge between these two systems.
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Most people do not know how to breathe so as to take full advantage of
the nourishing, health-giving properties of the act of breathing.
Knowing how to perform simple breathing techniques can help lower your
blood pressure, calm a racing heart, or help your digestive system
without taking drugs. Breathing has direct connections to emotional
states and moods - observe someone who is angry, afraid or otherwise
upset, and you will see a person breathing rapidly, shallowly, noisily
and irregularly. You cannot be upset if your breathing is slow, deep,
quiet and regular.
You cannot always center yourself emotionally by an
act of will, but you can use your voluntary nerves to make your
breathing slow, deep, quiet and regular, and the rest will follow.
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Beyond conscious breathing, which all meditation
methods share, there is a wide variety of intentions and
corresponding techniques.
In the following table, several of the
distinguishing characteristics of meditation are contrasted.
Heart Rhythm Meditation
has all the characteristics on the right, in rose color:
Upward
The aim of upward meditation is to lift consciousness out of
the body, an imperfect container for the pure light of consciousness.
To reverse the "gravity pull of consciousness" a powerful upward force in
the spine, called "Kundalini", is used. By triggering Kundalini,
Samadhi may be attained, which is an awareness of non-physical reality at the
cost of physical consciousness. Detachment and disassociation results.
| Downward
The aim of Heart Rhythm Meditation is to pull the richness of the
universe into the person, and anchor it in the heart. The downward flow of
energy, called "Love", collects in the heart and causes
an expansion of the heart faculty. This results in massive creativity,
courage and compassion. It fosters the descent
of blessing and grace upon the person.
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Mind-Centered
This type of meditation does not use emotion.
The goal is sometimes described as having no thought.
| Heart-Centered
Heart-centered meditation is emotion-rich.
The goal is to experience all emotion, simultaneously,
which requires and causes an expanded emotional capacity (heart).
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Monastic
The motivation for these meditations is to explore the great
mystery of death, before death, so as to overcome all fear of death
and suffering. These meditations were developed in monasteries or
ashrams, for solitary use. They can make living in the world more difficult,
as sensitivity is increased.
| In-Life
These meditations can be done in life and pertain to life.
They come from the desire to explore what it is to be human, and
what is the purpose of life. They overcome the fear of being fully alive.
While they increase compassion, they also increase the power and creativity to
solve problems.
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Observer
"Watch your thoughts, watch your emotions,
watch your consciousness." -- this is a Buddhist precept.
Becoming adept at this causes an observer attitude toward yourself and
life in general.
| Lover
The first stage of practice, called "Concentration" is
focused attention on the heart, while the second through fifth stages are
performed through direct experience of physical sensation, emotion
and vision. The goal is to be a fully-engaged lover, not a detached observer.
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Passive
The meditator tries to do nothing.
The mind is unfocused, neutral, making no judgments. Most beginning
meditators assume this is the objective and the method.
This is a difficult method that usually lapses into daydreaming or sleep.
Example:
Listening to scientifically-produced tones to induce brain waves
that mimic meditation.
(This does not have the same effect as when the brain produces these
waves within itself.)
| Active
The Heart Rhythm Meditator is actively pursuing a goal
in the meditation. The mind is used as a lens to focus the infinite into the
finite. The objective is to be able to be in a self-produced meditation state
all the time, everywhere.
What comes out of you is more important than what goes into you. Peace is not
to be found; it is to be made. The meditator generates waves of peace
that bring situations and other people into harmony.
Turning on the heart is much easier than turning off the mind.
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Fantasy-based
In fantasy, you imagine you are in
some other place, or are a different type of person or being.
This is done to make the conditions for meditation more auspicious,
although it deprecates one's actual situation.
| Reality-based
Imagination is limited to what can
be verified as true, but cannot be sensed directly, like the
magnetic field and the light of the stars in daytime.
The goal of this meditation is the discovery of reality, so
no fantasy is used.
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Trance
An altered state of consciousness in which sensory awareness,
alertness or memory are diminished can be induced by
very rhythmic chanting, suggestions of deep sleep, or
demands of submission. This can be a dramatic shift from ordinary
consciousness, demonstrating that
different states exist and producing a calm emotion.
Examples: Hypnosis, long sessions of mindless chanting.
| Awakening
Sensory awareness, alertness and memory are heightened as
inspiration and revelation spring from the heart.
When chanting, the rhythm is frequently changed, with
the aim to constantly improve the sound and the coordination with
others. Submission is never demanded. Sleepiness is overcome by
increased oxygenation.
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Denial or Dualistic
"My body is not me." "My true being is not suffering."
"I battle with my ego." "I want relief from my mind."
"The good in me overwhelms the bad."
"I want to stop my negative emotions."
Divisions are made
within the one universe to create contrast, but the divisions
distort the unified nature of reality.
| Inclusive
There is only one reality, and that reality is unified.
"There is nothing I am not. All parts of me have a purpose and
a contribution. My mind is a wonderful servant.
Without my ego I could not take responsibility.
My distortions push me forward while my ideal pulls me forward.
My objective is to be fully human, not angelic."
The heart contains all joy and all sorrow -- hide one and both
disappear.
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Religious
Specific religious leaders -- masters, saints and prophets --
are used for inspiration and devotion.
| Heart-Centered
Loved ones and all inspired and devoted human beings
are used for inspiration and devotion in Heart Rhythm Meditation.
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