Meditation is the practice of using presence and stillness to put your mind at ease. And there are so many ways to do so. Sitting still in meditation is not for everyone, but there are other options if traditional meditation isn't (pardon the pun) sitting well with you.
9 meditation styles for those who don't want to sit still.
In my years as a spiritual coach, I've found a couple meditation approaches to be particularly beneficial. Once you've decided which one you'd like to try, set aside some time each day to practise your new meditation technique.
To keep the contemplative times alive, you must develop regular practises. The most promising method is to sandwich this special time with another habitual activity. For example, you can meditate right before your morning coffee, soon after brushing your teeth, right before lunch, or right before washing your face at night.
1. Being aware of the present moment.
Meditation does not have to be a seated practise, as I have stated. Meditation and mindfulness can also be practised throughout the day by becoming aware of your thought patterns, eating habits, and checking in with your body.
Take inventory or write down all of the reasons you are irritated with a friend, colleague, or family member the next time you are frustrated with them. Then put it aside until you can figure out where the feelings are coming from. Is it your ego, your prior experiences, or your heart that's causing you to feel this way?
Stop for a moment after a few bites the next time you eat. Take note of the feelings that are present. Do you eat when you're worried or when you're in a hurry?
2. Buddhist meditation.
- Reflective meditation: This is a meditation where you go inward during your practice and learn how you are connecting to the oneness of the world.
- Generative meditation: Pick the emotion you want to bring to life and feel it growing. For example, if you are looking to experience more love in your life, this would be a time to meditate on the experience of feeling the love within and all around you.
- Concentrative meditation: This practice leans into your body, and you can get started by paying attention to your breath and the expansion and contraction of your belly as you breathe.
3. Meditation through yoga.
A movement meditation, such as yoga, can be particularly effective because emotions are frequently stored in your body's tissues, which you may be unaware of. They can release as you move through the various poses if you are in a state of present.
If you want to take your yoga practise to the next level, look for classes that teach the entire sequence in silence, or conduct the practise at home on your own. Using different types of wordless music can also help you tap into and release certain emotions.
4. Breathing exercises.
Breathwork, depending on the type, has proven to be one of the more difficult meditations for me. Tuning into some simple breathwork exercises is all that's required.
5. Qigong is a type of Chinese exercise.
The ancient Chinese practise of qigong is what I would call a movement meditation—one of ease, tranquilly, and energetic harmony. Qi, or "chi," is the life force energy that flows through your body. During a qigong practise, this chi is activated throughout your entire body, mind, and spirit. The movements are gradual and smooth, and after a qigong lesson, you should feel relaxed but also activated throughout your entire body. In terms of retaining this energised vital energy throughout the day, I'd say qigong in the morning is better than a cup of coffee.
6. Energy work and chakra healing
The seven primary chakras of the energy body can be activated and enhanced through guided imagery meditations. As you cope with the choices of everyday life, your chakras might become dark and confined. When you tune in to your energetic body, you'll discover that you're maybe leaking or draining energy. You should feel more aligned and at peace after bringing light back into and expanding your chakras.
7. Meditations when sleeping.
As you turn off the lights, listen to peaceful meditations to help you transition from awake to slumber. This could be the solution if you're having difficulties going asleep or your mind starts racing with all the things you didn't get done that day. Instead of lingering on what you were thinking about before, your mind might grasp onto the words of the meditation.
8. Dreaming in a lucid state.
When you're asleep but conscious that you're dreaming, it's called lucid dreaming. Some lucid dreamers believe that this practise can help you solve difficulties, obtain new creative insights and ideas, and overcome fears. You take control of your dreams when you practise lucid dreaming.
9.Sound baths are a great way to relax and unwind.
Sound therapy has the ability to engage your body in a variety of ways. Consider how you feel when your favourite song starts playing; your mood shifts instantaneously. Sound baths using singing bowls can help you experience sound healing, and I've found that they relax the mind in a way that is akin to lucid dreaming. New information, awarenesses, and ideas can surface when you're engrossed in relaxing noises.
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