All Types of Meditation Affect the Mind-Body Connection

There are many different types of meditation that are widely practiced today. Most meditations have ancient origins. Meditation affects the mind-body. Most meditation practices haven't changed much over time. But we live in the modern world and want practices that will be useful in our day-to-day lives.

One way to describe different types of meditation is to say mind-centered versus heart-centered. Mind-centered meditation practices don't use emotion. You start with the monkey-mind thoughts and work towards a no-thought state. This can be helpful in calming the mind and thoughts.

Binaural Beats are sound recordings that stimulate the brain by altering its operating frequency. This is also known as brainwave entrainment. Our brainwaves have different frequencies associated with different states of consciousness.

Heart meditation moves you from the mental body (mind) into the emotional (physical) body. This can be helpful in calming the mind also but does so through the emotional body.

Another way meditation types differ is to say upward versus downward meditation. Upward meditation seeks to lift consciousness out of the body. This can bring detachment and disassociation so should be done by experience practitioners only or with a meditation guide.

Downward meditation seeks to pull the energy of the universe into the person and into the heart. This downward flow is sometimes called Love. There is no disassociation from this type of meditation. The physical and emotional body are fully present in this type of meditation.

Buddhism has influenced the development of meditation greatly and includes both mindfulness and Vipassana practices which are very popular and in use in both healing and yoga.

Breath meditation refers to conscious breathing, which most meditations share.

Learning how to breathe properly is one of the greatest benefits of meditation you can receive. Breath can be thought of as a Divine Current. A slow and rhythmic breath is the beginning of many meditation practices. Just focusing on the breath will cause it to become slower, deeper, quieter and more rhythmic. A conscious breath is the most effective relaxation technique you will find.

Heart Rhythm meditation (HRM) is the practice taught on this website. Is is an ancient practice where your attention is centered in the body on your breath and heartbeat.

HRM is emotion-rich, heart-focused, and centered in the body. This practice affects our heart rhythms, which affect our emotional and mental state.

Silva Mind Control is another popular practice which uses meditation. The idea is to develop your higher brain functions, and involves the application of visualization meditation, positive thinking and self hypnosis. It expands your awareness like all other meditation techniques.

What is transcendental meditation? TM, as it's also known, is a form of mantra meditation introduced in India in 1955 by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It is taught in a standardized 7 step course over 4 days by certified teachers. It involves the use of a sound or mantra and is practices 15-20 minutes twice a day.

Here's a short video about TM by Deepak Chopra:

For a broader perspective on meditation types as well as crystal healing and massage, see Sunshine of the Soul.

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