14 May Meditation Types: Which Suits You Best

The practice of meditation can be beneficial not only for one’s focus but also for practicing mental calmness.  

A 2021 study noted that mindfulness, which can be developed through meditation, is linked with lower stress levels.   

You can choose from several types of meditation to point you to the practice that suits you best.  

When looking for a meditation type that matches your needs, it is important to consider your comfort and purpose for doing the practice.  

Mindfulness Meditation  

It originated from Buddhist teachings and is considered to be the most popular. In this practice, concentration and awareness are combined. To do this, one should pay attention to their thoughts as they pass through their mind.  

You observe and note your thought patterns but should not be mixed with judgment or shame.  

The upside of this type of meditation is that you can do it alone and can be a good head start for beginners.  

Benefits of this type of meditation include:  

• Improved mood  
• Better emotional regulation  
• Better memory and cognitive functions  
• Stronger relationships  

Spiritual meditation  

Spiritual meditation dwells in the higher understanding of spiritual and religious meaning, including one’s connection to a higher power.  

It can be practiced in the comforts of your own home or a place of worship.  

Benefits of this type of meditation include:  

• A more balanced sense of being  
• Increased creativity  
• Less reactivity  
• Better self-esteem and sense of belongingness  
• Clarity in purpose in life  

Loving Kindness Meditation  

It is a meditation practice that directs well-wishes to others. Practitioners usually say specific words and phrases that lead to warm feelings. This practice is also found in mindfulness and vipassana meditation.  

People who practice this type of meditation are encouraged to visualize the person they have difficulty with.   

It is usually ended with a phrase, “May all beings everywhere be happy.”  

Some of the benefits of Metta Meditation or Loving Kindness Meditation include:  

• Promotion of self-compassion  
• Decreased stress and anxiety  
• Reduced physical pain  
• Improvement in longevity  
• Better social connections  

Movement Meditation  

Movement meditation is the best type of meditation for people who are still looking for peace in action while bringing awareness to their bodies.  

Examples of movement meditation include:  

• Yoga  
• Walking  
• Gardening  
• Qi gong 
• Tai chi  

Focused Meditation  

This practice of meditation involves one object, sound, or thought, which will be the practitioner’s point of focus. You can also focus on your breath instead of an object with this type of meditation.  

To start your practice with this type of meditation, you should focus on one single object; it could be the ticking of the clock, a spot on the wall, or just a phrase that you can repeat in your mind during the practice.  

Some benefits of a focused meditation practice include:  

• Reduction of noise and clutter in your surroundings  
• Increased ability to focus  
• Ability to stay centered and calm during chaotic situations  

Transcendental Meditation  

Transcendental meditation is practiced through closing your eyes and repeatedly saying the mantra that can help you focus and calm your mind.  

If you are interested in practicing this type of meditation, practitioners are recommended to do this for 20 minutes every day.  

You can reap the following benefits through this type of meditation: 

• Mental clarity  
• Increased focus  
• Improved heart health 

Vipassana Meditation  

It means “to see things as they really are,” with the goal of improving self-awareness. The practice originated in India.  

You can practice by starting to focus on your breathing while paying attention to your thoughts and feelings, without having the need to feel reactive or wanting to change those thoughts or feelings.  

Vipassana is used in various reformative programs in schools, prisons, and rehabilitation centers.  

Vipassana can: 

• Increase self-awareness  
• Reduce negative emotions, including stress and anxiety  
• Help develop a calm response to situations instead of impulsiveness  

Guided Meditation  

If you are looking for a teacher or mentor to teach you the right way of meditation, guided meditation might be a good place to start.  

Guided meditation usually involves a voice or a mentor who helps them focus on their thoughts and breathing patterns. Beginners might be less intimidated to take up the practice of meditation with less frustration if they are learning with another person or with a group.  

Amid the busy noise of the world and your tightly packed schedule, may you find peace and calmness in your way.