There are many different types of meditation, and mindfulness meditation students frequently ask me which practices they should work with. My answer is most often the same: Deepen your study and practice of meditation by engaging with different practices and noticing how your body, heart and mind feel in each practice. Notice what arises.
The thing about meditation is you become more and more you. –David Lynch
There are different types of meditation to choose from — including Insight meditation / Vipsassana, Zen, transcendental meditation (TM), open awareness meditation, concentration meditation, sitting meditation, walking meditation, sound meditation, awareness of breathing meditation, nature meditation, writing meditation, mindful writing, photography mediation, mindful photography, and the list goes on and on.
Try to become willing to meet states of being that your mind may label as unpleasant, such as physical pain, restlessness, boredom, anger or sadness with curiosity and kindness. Use your practice to increase awareness, but also learn that your practice can become a healing salve—as some practices will enliven a tired body and mind or lift the energy of a sad mood while others will soothe restlessness, pain or anger.
As you become more skillful at practicing mindfulness, and you notice how your body, heart, and mind respond to different types of meditation practice, the question will transform from asking me which practices you should choose. The question will gradually become, “Given how I feel, which practice feels called for in this moment,” and you will intuitively answer your own question.
As you grow in your practice, you learn to begin by noticing the state of the body, heart and mind and then becoming curious about which practice may be called for in the moment.
Warmly,
Jen
Jen Johnson teaches online mindfulness workshops