What are the ten best types of meditation? Which meditation practices for self-development are the easiest to learn? Learn the meditation practices everyone should add to their spiritual toolbox.
In today’s hectic world, personal growth and wellness are more important than ever. With the abundance of self-development tools available, it can be hard to choose the right one. Fear not. We compiled a list of the ten best types of meditation practices for self-development. Each one offers unique benefits. Let’s delve into the realm of meditation and explore these powerful practices. But first, let’s discuss the foundation needed to benefit from these tools.
Tools For Personal Growth and Wellness
Self-development encompasses the health and development of the individual. Wellness and personal growth are often regarded as separate journeys. Like intertwined vines, these two aspects are connected, nurturing and fueling one another. One thing you will learn is that personal growth is the foundation upon which we build wellness.
A plan for self-development requires a foundation of the right mindset. This mindset requires self-awareness, willingness to change, a healthy skeptical outlook, and dedication. So, we’ll talk about these before we delve into the meditation tools.
1. The importance of self-awareness. The first step in building personal growth and wellness is developing self-awareness. Understanding our values, strengths, and weaknesses gives us clarity about who we are and helps us see what we need to change in order to grow. It sounds like this is hard to do, but there are meditation techniques that make it possible. We’ll discuss these tools in a moment.
Self-awareness is the spark of personal growth. It lights the fire that prompts us to seek knowledge and growth. Self-awareness lays the groundwork for wellness by helping us understand our personal needs. Then, we can align our practices to our needs. This is the key to developing a plan that nourishes our physical, mental, and spiritual health.
2. The willingness to change beliefs and values. The next thing we need to discuss is learning to embrace change. When we step out of our comfort zones and challenge our beliefs, we open the door to immense personal growth.
To be well, we must do things that make us healthy. This means exercising, cultivating healthy eating habits, and engaging in self-care. Through change, we grow beyond our current limitations. Wellness blossoms as we commit to nurturing our physical and mental well-being. If you aren’t willing to change what you believe when given data that tells you that you should, then you won’t grow. No amount of meditation will break the chain of harmful beliefs and values.
3. Develop a healthy, skeptical mindset. We must develop a healthy, skeptical mindset to become flexible and resilient. How we perceive challenges, setbacks, and adversity impacts our personal growth and wellness. Embracing a healthy, skeptical mindset is essential. It helps us view obstacles as opportunities for learning and growing. Clarity of thinking enables us to navigate life’s uncertainties with resilience.
A mindset based on healthy skepticism helps us avoid the common pitfalls of religion. It is a mindset focused on growth, which helps us seek healthy tools for development. At the same time, we learn to acknowledge our struggles as part of our journey. This mindset paves the way for self-improvement, holistic wellness, and a more fulfilling life.
4. Consistent practice is the key. The last thing you need is consistent effort and dedication. So, we recommend you put your commitment to practice in writing. Use your calendar or smart device to schedule time to practice. The ten best types of meditation practices for self-development only work if you use them. Okay, we’re ready to talk about the specific tools.
There are many different types of meditation methods. If you look at their mechanics, you’ll see they come from these ten best forms of meditation. It doesn’t matter if you are a seasoned spiritual explorer or just beginning your journey. Everyone should add these ten tools to their spiritual practice.
Meditation Practices For Self-Development
What is meditation? Meditation is a process that changes awareness and consciousness. Some techniques open doors to altered or higher states of consciousness. These processes have several health benefits for our minds, bodies, and spirit. Praying and pretending are different things.
We researched various meditation methods to find the most effective. Then, we narrowed down to the top ten. These are the methods you need if you want to build a robust spiritual practice.
We recommend you add them all to your personal growth and wellness plan.
1) Beginning or Two-Step Meditation Process.
2) The Shamanic Journey.
3) Mindfulness Meditation.
4) Rocket Pranayama.
5) Holotropic Breathing.
6) Mantras and Sutras.
7) Moving Meditation.
8) Alternating Stillness and Motion.
9) Japa or Transcendental Meditation.
10) The Siddhis of Patanjali.
The Ten Best Types of Meditation Practices
Here are links to other articles that provide more details about these tools. You can learn some of them by reading the steps provided.
1) Beginning or Two-Step or Beginning Meditation
Does it almost sound like a dance move? In some ways, it is. It’s so simple but powerful that everyone needs it. Children as young as two or three years old can do it. It has some immediate health benefits. It is a tool to calm our hyperactive lives.
This tool is perfect for beginners. The two-step meditation process eases you into a deep state of relaxation. It begins with focusing on your body. It anchors your attention and helps you let go of distractions. The second step involves observing your breath. These two simple steps calm the active mind.
Many people overlook this process because they think it is simple; it must not be effective. However, they would be wrong. The fact is the most powerful techniques are those that are easy to learn and use.
We regard it as the beginning meditation script for personal growth and wellness. What is it? You observe your body and your breath. Follow the link to get all the details. Of all the meditation techniques, this is the easiest to begin. You don’t need a teacher or a smartphone application. All you need is one minute where you can sit comfortably.
Some people call it “scanning meditation because you direct your awareness to scan the body. So, you learn to observe what’s going on in the body. It is one of the easiest methods to use and provides immediate results. It’s another one of the top 10 meditation techniques you should learn.
2) Shamanic Journey
The Shamanic Journey is a technique found around the world. Many indigenous cultures have some version of this practice. We find similar forms in South and North American Indian traditions. There are forms of this process in Asia and Europe. In Australia, their form of the Shamanic Journey is known as Aboriginal Dreamtime.
These types of meditation practices have the same basic mechanics. They use rhythm to regulate heart rate and imagination, creating a trance or dream state. Here, you venture through a vivid landscape. Today, this process has been renamed to make it more marketable. Some call it creative visualization, guided meditation, or vision quest. However, when they do this, they also strip it from its cultural context, detracting from its effectiveness.
The Shamanic Journey is one of the first tools for exploring consciousness developed. Anyone can use this process using the beat of a drum and your imagination to guide you. Many good books outline the process and even provide a drum track. You can use guided scripts to help you get started. Then, once you learn, it’s best to develop your unique journey. It’s one of the meditation techniques that provide a springboard for other inner work.
Some cultures use plants that contain hallucinogens. These are used as part of a spiritual practice to enhance the Shamanic Journey. A trained Shaman prepares and administers the drink. It is part of a supervised spiritual journey.
The use of these drugs is not for the beginner. You need to have several years of solid spiritual inner work and grounding before using any of these. Above all, you need to find a qualified guide to oversee the process. It isn’t easy to control the strength of the formulas. It is critical for controlling the depth and the duration of the trance state.
3) Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness is one of the most widely known and practiced forms of meditation. It promotes present-moment awareness which makes it one of the core mediation practices for self-development. By observing thoughts without judgment, you cultivate a sense of acceptance and clarity. Mindfulness meditation nurtures self-compassion and enhances personal growth and wellness.
The mindfulness meditation scripts build on the two-step edition process. It takes your meditation experience to the next level. It has two components: a seated version and a moving version. It is one of the ten best forms of meditation you can practice while sitting or moving.
Have you heard of forest bathing or tree grounding exercises? Mindfulness is the core of these methods. Forest bathing is part of the Japanese mental health curriculum.
4) Rocket Pranayama
Pranayama is a term relating to breathing exercises. Our breath is a tool for controlling the body and developing awareness. We’ve selected one that is key to developing control.
The “Rocket Pranayama” technique (not its original name) is a preparatory practice. You can use it before for any spiritual practice. It’s a subtle but important technique. This tool teaches us how to engage an essential internal muscle group — the diaphragm. It only takes 15 seconds to feel its effects. The results are an immediate clearing of negativity. It works because you are focusing your attention on the practice. Here’s how to do it.
Sit comfortably, place your thumb and your first or second finger on your nose, and use your finger to close one nostril. Breathe in and out as you simultaneously use your finger to open and close one nostril. This creates a “fluttering” of the diaphragm as you rapidly open and close each nostril.
Get comfortable using your fingers to flutter the diaphragm. Increase the time to thirty seconds. Then, see if you can do it without using your hand. It pumps oxygen to the brain and distracts the active mind. The aftereffect is immediate, both energetic and peaceful.
5) Holotropic Breathing
After you master the rocket pranayama technique, you are ready for Holotropic breathing. This is the next step up in breathing exercises. It is not for the beginning spiritual explorer. This exercise produces an altered state. It can bring up emotions and even hallucinations. It’s a powerful inner work tool used for emotional healing. It also facilitates personal growth and wellness. The process involves taking long, deep breaths. Inhale and exhale slowly while seated or lying down.
After several minutes of practice, it causes hyperventilation, which induces a trance-like state. This type of exercise is intense, both physically and mentally. If you have any health or mental condition, consult your physician before attempting. It is not recommended if you have respiratory, cardiovascular, or mental health issues.
It’s important to have someone qualified to assist and supervise this process. Don’t practice alone unless you are familiar with it. Emotional reactions are often extreme. Communicating with your coach throughout the process is the best way to avoid any adverse outcomes. It’s possible to lose consciousness or thrash around and harm yourself, so make sure you have a coach.
6) Mantra or Sutras
Mantras and Sutras are tools of consciousness that open doors of awareness. There are many kinds of mantras. They are energy-based formulas that have only an approximate meaning. Mantras and sutras are the heart of many top-ten meditation techniques.
Indian tradition uses these formulas in various ways, depending on the goal. Groups of 108 are a common practice. It is also good to use them throughout the day. Find one that resonates with your needs, then chant it aloud or silently as you go through your daily tasks.
Mantras and sutras are excellent tools to break the chain of negative thoughts. There are excellent meditation tracks and CDs that explain and then show how to use them. Thomas Ashley-Farrand made several audiobooks that are perfect for learning mantras. Start with Mantra — Sacred Words of Power and Healing Mantras. Mantras are the primary tools for meditation. They are used in other methods of meditation, such as Japa and the Siddhis. Mantras are the tools of personal growth and wellness you can practice every day.
7) Moving Meditation
Moving meditation is perfect for those who find it challenging to sit still. Practices such as walking mindfulness meditation integrate awareness with gentle, flowing movements. Moving meditation facilitates body-mind integration and cultivates a calm and centered state.
Moving meditation expands awareness to observe both internal and external aspects, which is pretty cool. We’ve already alluded to one of the moving meditation techniques, moving mindfulness. There are many kinds of moving meditation, from dancing to Tai Chi and everything in between. You can create your moving meditation by combining other spiritual technologies.
8) Alternating Stillness and Motion
Alternating between silence and activity leverages the power of the mind-body connection. It involves alternating self-discipline activities with the creative and intuitive side. The rest between periods of action gives us a chance to normalize, which provides a foundation for personal growth and wellness.
Balance and symmetry are essential aspects of our lives. When we are balanced, we make better decisions. We get the most out of life, no matter the situation. We’ve already mentioned the key to this—alternating silence and activity.
Modern society doesn’t support this kind of thinking. Modern culture tells us we always need to be engaged and active. This leads to burnout. But we can learn to incorporate this strategy into our busy lives. For example, take short breaks during the day to use the two-step meditation process.
Everyone has a mix that works best. Here’s the best practice for this exercise. Start with one analytical process that interests you. Perhaps Comparative Analysis (a structured form of comparative religious study) sounds interesting. Or the Enneagram Profile, or one or more observational skills exercises.
Use the analytical mind for 30 to 45 minutes, then shift gears. Then, engage the intuitive mind. Practice Japa or Transcendental Meditation, Holotropic breathing, or moving meditation. Use the intuitive mind for approximately 30 to 45 minutes.
Be sure to include time to rest and normalize. Engage in some form of leisurely self-care. You should feel great. You’ve completed a “well-rounded” spiritual practice that will solidify your learning.
9) Transcendental Meditation or Japa Meditation
This mantra-based practice allows the mind to transcend thoughts, taking us to the fourth state of consciousness. Japa meditation enhances self-awareness, intuition, and spiritual growth. The healing effects are felt immediately, making Japa the cornerstone of personal growth and wellness.
Japa is the “Cadillac” of meditation techniques. It opens our consciousness to awareness of the 4th state. Japa and Transcendental Meditation (TM) are the same technique. TM is more readily available, although it can be expensive. Both versions enable you to reach the transcendent. This state is what Maharishi Mahesh Yogi calls bliss consciousness.
Bliss consciousness, or pure consciousness, is a separate state of awareness. When in this state, you exhibit unique physiological signs that can be measured.
These signs prove it differs from waking, sleeping, and dreaming. It is the building block for more advanced forms of meditation, like the Siddhis.
10) The Siddhis
The term Siddhis means extraordinary powers or abilities. These powers include things like clairvoyance, telepathy, levitation, and more. A Siddha is a person who practices the use of the Sutras, which are the basis of the technique. One must be grounded in the 4th state to use these Sutras. So, it requires at least one year of practicing Japa or TM to use these formulas correctly.
Where Do I Start?
The question we get most often is, I want to learn to meditate. Where do I start?
First, We suggest you start with the two-step or beginning meditation. This is the foundation for many other meditation methods. It is easy to learn, and you feel the positive effects immediately. This is clearly one of the top 10 meditation techniques you should learn.
Second, another one of the main types of meditation is the Shamanic journey. All you need is a shamanic journey drum track to guide you. You can find many tracks online from 5 to 45 minutes in duration, and some good books include a CD with drum tracks. We like Sandra Ingerman’s book Shamanic Journeying, a Beginner’s Guide. The Shamanic journey uses rhythm and imagination to create a vivid landscape. Here, you discover the typologies of the subconscious mind.
Third on the list is mindfulness meditation. It uses the beginning meditation platform as a starting point.
Once you learn these three methods, you can branch out and pick up the other seven methods in any order. It all depends upon your preferences and the availability of instruction.
Final Thoughts on The Ten Best Types of Meditation Practices
We hope this list is helpful. Many of our newer travelers use it as a benchmark of tools to add to their spiritual toolboxes, and many experienced spiritual explorers use it to round out their practice. Embarking on the path of self-development through meditation offers boundless possibilities.
Whether you seek personal growth and wellness or spiritual awakening, meditation is a tool for your goal. It provides the doorway to tap into your unlimited potential. Embrace the power of meditation and watch as self-development unfolds within you. With these meditation practices for self-development, you can build a robust plan that will propel your journey.