Meditation is the practise of focusing one's mind for an extended period of time while observing but not engaging with thoughts. This can be done in silence or with the help of chanting and is done for a variety of reasons, ranging from religious or spiritual purposes to relaxation.

Meditation has gained popularity in recent years as a stress-reduction technique in our modern, hectic world. Meditation has also been shown to be a useful tool in the treatment of chronic illnesses such as depression, heart disease, and chronic pain, according to scientific evidence.

This ancient practise comes in a variety of forms. If you want to try meditation but aren't sure where to begin, here's a list of seven different types of meditation practise:

1. Meditation for Mindfulness

Being fully present with your awareness is the process of mindfulness meditation. Being mindful entails being aware of where we are and what we are doing, as well as not reacting excessively to what is going on around us.

Mindful meditation can be practised almost anywhere. Some people prefer to sit quietly, close their eyes, and concentrate on their breathing. However, you can choose to be mindful at any time of day, including while driving to work or doing chores.

When you practise mindfulness meditation, you observe your thoughts and emotions but do not judge them.

2. Transcendental Meditation (TM)

Transcendental meditation may sound lofty, but it is a simple technique: You select a mantra — a word, phrase, or sound — and repeat it twice a day for 20 minutes. It's best to do this while sitting and with your eyes closed.

This type of meditation allows your body and mind to fully relax, allowing you to feel at peace and calm.

3. Meditation with a Guide

Guided meditation, also known as guided imagery or visualisation, is a type of meditation in which you create mental images or situations that you find relaxing.

This process is usually led by a guide or teacher, thus the term "guided." It's common advice to use as many senses as possible, such as smell, sound, and texture, to elicit calm in your relaxing space.

4. Meditation in Vipassana (Sayagyi U Ba Khin Tradition)

Vipassana is an ancient Indian form of meditation that means seeing things as they truly are. It has a history of over 2,500 years and is credited with starting the mindfulness meditation movement in the United States.

Vipassana meditation seeks to transform oneself through self-observation. You establish a deep connection between mind and body by focusing your attention on physical sensations in the body. Teachers of the practise claim that this interconnectedness helps to balance the mind and promotes love and compassion.

Vipassana is traditionally taught over a 10-day period during which students must abstain from a variety of things, including intoxicants and sexual activity.

5. Meditation on the Chakras

Chakra is an ancient Sanskrit word that means "wheel" and dates back to India. Chakras are energy and spiritual power centres in the body. There are seven chakras, according to popular belief. Each chakra is located in a different part of the body along the spine and corresponds to a different colour.

Chakra meditation consists of relaxation techniques aimed at restoring balance and well-being to the chakras. Visualizing each chakra in the body and its corresponding colour is one of these techniques. Some people may choose to light incense or use color-coded crystals for each chakra to aid concentration during meditation.

6. Yoga Meditation

Yoga has been practised since ancient India. Yoga classes and styles vary, but they all involve a series of postures and controlled breathing exercises designed to promote flexibility and calm the mind.

The poses require balance and concentration, and practitioners are encouraged to focus on the present moment rather than on distractions.

Which type of meditation you choose to try is determined by a number of factors. If you have a medical condition and are new to yoga, consult with your doctor about which style is best for you.

These are some meditations that you should give a try to. Also, if you liked our blog let us know in the comments section and if you have any ideas for new blogs drop them in the comments section.