Benefits of Yoga Testimonials Pouring In »
Meditation Techniques - The Ultimate Guide
Best Meditation Techniques
Guide to Meditation Techniques
Mastery of Meditation now has 300+ articles detailing a wide range of profound yoga, pranayama and meditation techniques. In addition to providing these valuable techniques, there are also a wide range of articles on personal development, weight loss, alternative healing, etc. As the popularity of Mastery of Meditation has grown, so has the number of visitors it gets on a daily basis (1400+ / day
) and many of you have questions regarding what type of meditation technique you ought to practice, in order to accomplish certain goals. To help you with that, I have put together this handy summary which will serve as a guide to help you choose the right meditation technique for you.
Before I jump ahead though, I would like to be clear that the ultimate purpose of any meditation technique is Spiritual Enlightenment. That is the final destination and the most important aspect of meditation practice. It is just that along the way to this highest pinnacle, meditation bestows a bevy of wonderful "side" benefits and these benefits can vary depending on which meditation technique you choose to do. I have gone into these additional benefits of meditation in several articles and you can read about them here: Top 10 Profound Benefits of Meditation, Side Benefits of Silent Mind Meditation Program, Brain Health Benefits of Meditation.
Below you will find my views on which are the best meditation techniques to do, in order to obtain certain results. As most of you know, the Free Online Guided Meditation Techniques E-book, has step by step instructions and videos on all the meditation techniques offered here on Mastery of Meditation, so in the summary below I have only given a brief description and video of the mediation technique, but provided a link to the chapter in the E-Book where you can get all the essential details. In addition, this will be an ongoing guide which I will constantly update with new and useful meditation techniques for you.
Meditation Technique #1: Zen Meditation Technique – Zazen
Goal: Awareness, Detachment, Peace
Zen Meditation Technique is the undisputed heavyweight in the world of meditation. It is very likely the most widely practiced meditation technique and is perhaps even the face of meditation. The silent Buddha, sitting cross-legged, eyes slightly open, in this world but yet beyond, immersed in a Singularity (or Void) is Zazen.
Zazen is essentially silent, seated meditation and excellent for a wide range of benefits. If you don’t know which meditation technique to try, this should be your default choice. Zazen will help you develop your ability to remain in the moment, mindful of that which is taking place, and free you from the entanglements of ego-centric, dualistic thoughts. It will most certainly help you develop a calm disposition and give you the strength to withstand stressful or upsetting events. In time, this meditation technique will make you wise, give you access to spontaneous joy and help you develop into a compassionate, loving human being.
You will find more details on Zazen in the article, Zen Meditation Technique. Here is a step-by-step instruction video on how to practice this meditation technique.
Meditation Technique #2: Concentration Meditation Technique – Trataka
Goal: Concentration, Mental Focus
One common myth about meditation is that it is the same as concentration. Really it is not. Concentration is a stepping stone for meditation, but mediation is far more than concentration. In practicing meditation though, one of the clear benefits is a tremendous increase in your powers of concentration and mental focus. Many people are rightly interested in developing this skill, and to do so there is no better meditation technique than Trataka or Candle Flame Gazing.
In this meditation, you will focus your attention, in a darkened room, on a candle flame and then concentrate on the after image that it leaves behind when you close your eyes. The technique is simple, yet very effective. Along with developing your power of concentration, this meditation technique will also help calm your mind down and give you inner peace and stillness.
You can read details about this technique in the following article: Concentration Meditation Technique – Trataka.
Meditation Technique #3: So Hum Mantra Meditation Technique
Goal: Love, Forgiveness, Compassion
Mantra meditation technique is a big part of the philosophy of meditation that comes from the Eastern faiths. It is a technique that has been used for centuries in
If you are suffering from hate, bitterness, loneliness, anger, depression and other negative emotions, then So Hum Mantra Meditation Technique is a great tonic to use. In this meditation, you will use the So-Hum mantra silently to pacify the mind and connect with your divine nature. It will help heal the wounds of the heart and make you feel an indivisible part of the whole.
Meditation Technique #4: AUM Mantra Meditation Technique
Goal: Psychic Powers, Intuition
As I mentioned above, mantra meditation techniques have many different variations and applications, and AUM Mantra Meditation Technique is an example of just that. AUM Mantra Meditation technique is part of the science of Kundalini Yoga and it’s specific purpose is to activate the Third Eye Chakra.
In this meditation, you chant the sound AUM, while concentration on the Third Eye region. The sound AUM is considered the seed sound for this center and chanting it serves to stimulate the energy flow though this region. The Third Eye is the seat of intuition, and opening the Third Eye unleashes psychic and mental powers.
To get more details about this meditation technique, read the following article: AUM Mantra Meditation Technique. Also, here is a step-by-step video demonstration of AUM Mantra Meditation Technique…
Meditation Technique #5: Silent Mind Mediation Technique
Goal: Intelligence, Enlightenment, Awareness
This is the meditation technique I practice and although the thinking behind it is not new, for the most part it is a system of my own making. If you are looking to sharpen awareness, hone intelligence and dramatically improve brain function, then this meditation technique is for you. It is designed to help the mind realize that it is the root cause of suffering and thus, still itself. It is the highest form of insight meditation and I have practiced this technique for over 20 years now. Obviously, I find it the best suited for those interested in enlightenment, like me.
The entire Silent Mind Meditation Program is designed to help you learn and develop this technique, but you are also welcome to just practice this technique itself and you can get details about it in the following chapter: The Silent Mind Meditation Technique.
Meditation Technique #6:
I will be adding next a meditation technique that is excellent for health, healing and well-being. Stay tuned for that.













on September 25th, 2008 at 3:37 am
[…] Anmol Mehta is modern Yoga & Meditation master. His massive Guided Zen Meditation blog offers the ultimate Meditation Techniques Guide and free Yoga to Detox & Cleanse Your Body. […]
on September 25th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
The techniques really worked. It helped me relax after busy work day. thanks.
on September 26th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Great to hear that you are finding these meditation techniques useful. They have survived the test of time, and those of us who have discovered and are drawn to this practice are certainly the lucky ones :-D.
Cheers,
Anmol
on September 27th, 2008 at 2:00 am
Really nice video and explanation of the OM meditation technique. KUDOS! Om Shanti, Keith
on September 29th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
[…] —Anmol Mehta is modern Yoga & Meditation master. His massive Guided Zen Meditation blog offers the ultimate Meditation Techniques Guide and free Yoga to Detox & Cleanse Your Body. […]
on October 3rd, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Glad you are enjoying the meditation techniques. Thanks a lot for your inspiring and encouraging feedback.
Best,
Anmol
on October 8th, 2008 at 4:09 am
Hi Anmol,
I really like your video. It is great to be able to put a face and voice to your work. I enjoyed the techniques tremendously.
Be Well…
on October 9th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Thanks for the kind words. Great to have the input of another who is equally passionate and versed in the art of meditation.
Best,
Anmol
on October 11th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Dear Sir,
I have been meditating since 5 years now i am 32 years old.i dont have a guru (whether u require or not i dont know) i just sit cross legged and concentrate my attention in between 2 eyebrows and after some time i feel all my thoughts vanished. do i do it right. what more should i do. help me .aaaaamit
on October 11th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
You are essentially doing Ajna Chakra Meditation (concentration upon the Third Eye). Certainly looks like you have perfected concentration, which is a great achievement in itself, and a prerequisite for meditation, so you are well positioned to go further.
First I would like to know what it is that you realize when you have no thoughts left?
What I would suggest, is that at the point when thoughts are no more, you let go of the concentration on the forehead as well and see what happens. Just remain with pure, simple awareness, just presence.
Best,
Anmol
on October 21st, 2008 at 12:44 am
[…] Meditation Techniques - The Ultimate Guide […]
on November 11th, 2008 at 10:05 am
Nicely put, Anmol. I think mantra (concentration) meditation should precede mindfulness (detachment) meditation, and then simply allow mantras (thoughts, sounds, sensations etc) exist as part of your accepting, mindful world. Mantra and mindfulness interact, and any thing/mantra you focus on influences your state of mind.
Mantras associated with emotions of fear and anger easily turn into mindless distress (and more fear and anger), while mantras associated with love and compassion turn into mindful compassion (and more love and compassion). Over time the former leads to unhappiness and depression, and the latter leads to happiness.
You may want to check out this meditation help guide to learn more:
Best wishes,
Oz