Types of Meditation and Benefits - Summary [Infographic]

Sumary of Meditation : Meditation Types, Hindrances, Effects and Benefits
Infographic from Information is Beautiful

Meditation is Everywhere

Have you noticed that, recently, everywhere you turn, someone is talking about or recommending meditation?

Whether you need to lose weight, have some emotional or mental upset, or perhaps a medical condition, or want to make more money ... meditation is almost always now suggested as part of the process.

Meditation is everywhere.

But, what exactly, is meditation?


Types of Meditation

Just as with yoga, there are many types of meditation.

Although there are some basic "rules" or guidelines, like assuming the correct posture or practicing at certain times of the day, there really is no single or right way to meditate.

Some of the most popular types of meditation include:

☯ Mindfulness Meditation
☯ Concentration Meditation
☯ Loving Kindness Meditation
☯ Attending Meditation
☯ Silent Gratitude Meditation
☯ Breath Meditation
☯ Silent Meditation
☯ Mantra Meditation
☯ Walking Meditation


Summary of Meditation

This infographic from Information is Beautiful summarizes certain key aspects of meditation including the effects and health benefits of meditation, qualities of mind that are thought to be developed as an outcome from a regular meditation practice, common hindrances, and the many types of meditation from several traditions, disciplines or schools including Buddhism, Zen Buddhism, Taoism, Dzogchen (Tibetan Buddhism), Sufism, Transcendental Meditation (TM) and Kundalini Yoga.


Infographic Source

Meditation Summary - Information is Beautiful


Related

What is Mindfulness Meditation?
15 Minute Mindfulness Techniques for Stress Reduction
The Body on Meditation
A Skeptic's Guide to Meditation
Meditation Styles

Meditation in 12 Steps [Infographic]

Meditation in 12 Steps - Infographic from Sivananda Yoga Europe

Why Meditate?

I'm sure by now you've heard (repeatedly!) that meditation is good for you!

Nearly every health, wellness and self-improvement expert recommends (and sometimes insists) that a regular meditation practice is central to optimal health and improves or promotes physical, emotional, mental and spiritual healing.

Learn more about meditation health benefits:  The Body on Meditation

Meditation Styles

Just as there is no shortage nowadays of different yoga styles, there are also various meditation styles - both traditional and modern.

Meditation Practice

This inforgraphic entitled "Meditation in 12 Steps" from Sivananda Yoga Europe is based on the work of Swami Vishnudevananda, a yoga master, author, peace activist and founder of the international Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres.

The infographic illustrates and briefly explains the recommended techniques and steps in establishing and maintaining a regular meditation practice, including selecting the time and place, posture, breathing and object or focal point concentration.

More Information

To learn more about Sivananda Yoga meditation (and yoga) techniques, philosophy, education and training courses, intensives and other opportunities in Europe, please visit Sivananda Yoga Europe.

To learn more about International Sivananda Centers, please visit their homepage.

Reading:

Yoga Mind and Body

The Sivananda Companion to Yoga: A Complete Guide to the Physical Postures, Breathing Exercises, Diet, Relaxation, and Meditation Techniques of Yoga

Yoga:  Your Home Practice Companion

Infographic source / link:  Meditation in 12 Steps



Related

What is Mindfulness Meditation? A Skeptic's Guide to Meditation 5 Minute Mini Meditation

Five Minute Mini Meditation [Infographic]

Five Minute Mini Meditation - Infographic from Guard Your Health

Meditation:  How Long and How Often?

Most meditation teachers and other health and wellness experts advise meditating two times a day for 20-60 minutes - once in the morning and again in the evening.

Although this is the general recommendation for purposes of improving health, as well as restoring and balancing the mind and body, studies have shown that even very brief periods of meditation - as short as 5 - 10 minutes - done regularly, correctly and with intent can be very beneficial.

From PubMed.gov:  Regular, brief mindfulness meditation practice improves electrophysiological markers of attentional control

Good News for Beginners and Those with Hectic Schedules

This is very good news because, realistically, if you've never meditated before, it will be very difficult and even frustrating to sit for 20 minutes, much less 60 minutes, at least at the beginning.

Additionally, many people have very busy schedules.  Even experienced meditators with a regular practice might find it difficult to sit for their usual 20-60 minutes on some days.


Infographic:  Five Minute Mini Meditation

This infographic, entitled "Five Minute Mini Meditation" from Guard Your Health illustrates and explains how to do a very simple 5 minute meditation that is based on counting breaths.

Surely everyone can find 5 minutes to take a break from even the most hectic schedule.  Try it but remember:  in order to receive the benefits of meditation, the key is to practice regularly.

Infographic source and more health tools, topics, information and resources:  Meditation:  Stress Relief in Five Minutes - Guard Your Health

Related

What is Mindfulness Meditation? The Body on Meditation A Skeptic's Guide to Meditation Meditation Styles

Skeptic's Guide to Meditation [Infographic]

The Skeptic's Guide to Meditation
Infographic from Happify

Today, meditation is everywhere!

☯ Want to lose weight?  Meditate!
☯ Want to make more money?  Meditate!
☯ Want to overcome fears and phobias?  Meditate!

Meditation seems to be the answer for anything and everything.

Just go on any health, wellness, diet and exercise, spiritual or self-improvement website and you will soon discover that meditation and mindfulness is part of the program.

While meditation alone will probably not get you that bikini body or a brand new car, meditation and mindfulness practices have been extensively studied and shown to provide health benefits on many levels.

In spite of the science, however, many people are still skeptical.  If you are in the skeptic's camp, this infographic just might change your mind (and your life!)

This infographic entitled "The Skeptic's Guide to Meditation" was created by Happify Daily and Dan Harris, ABC News anchor and the author of 10% Happier.

The infographic illustrates and summarizes:

☯ The 4 Biggest Misconceptions About Meditation
☯ The Science of Meditation
☯ Why Mindfulness Matters
☯ The Basics of Meditation (Meditation 101)

For more information, to view a large image of the infographic or to buy it as a poster, go to Happify Daily - The Skeptic's Guide to Meditation.


Related:

What is Mindfulness Meditation? The Body on Meditation Meditation Styles Breathing for Health

Picture of the Day: Body Mind Soul

Body Mind Soul

Unfold 

with Meditation

Meditation:  Mind Body & Soul

Meditating on a regular, daily basis is known to have many physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual benefits.  Meditation unfolds and integrates the mind, body and soul - the three aspects of self that must be in balance in order to achieve harmonious health and well-being.

Related:
What is Mindfulness Meditation?
The Body on Meditation
Meditation Styles

Picture/Image Source:  Unknown - please contact us for credit.

Infographic: Meditation Styles

The health benefits of a meditating on a regular basis are numerous.

Meditation strengthens brain function by improving focus and concentration. It is also a completely natural, safe and painless means of relieving stress, anxiety and depression, lowering high blood pressure, aiding in weight loss, and reducing the risk of heart disease and other chronic medical conditions.

Just as there are many different styles of yoga, there are also different meditation techniques or methods. When first learning how to meditate, it is very helpful to focus on a particular technique or method.

This infographic illustrates and explains four popular meditation techniques:

❤ Zen Method
❤ Mindfulness Method
❤ Qigong Method
❤ Mantra Method

Related:
The Body on Meditation

Infographic Source:  Unknown - please contact us for credit.

Free 21 Day Meditation Challenge™ with Oprah and Deepak Chopra

We've all heard about the many physical, mental and emotional health benefits of meditation.

A regular meditation practice has been linked to reducing stress, losing weight, controlling pain, enhancing the immune system, lowering the risk of cardiovascular and other diseases, relaxing the nervous system, staving off premature aging, overcoming addiction and substance abuse, increasing memory, concentration and creativity, resolving anxiety, phobias and fears, improving self-confidence and relationships, and a host of other benefits.

In spite of so many well-known and excellent reasons to meditate on a regular basis, many people have a hard time starting and/or sustaining the practice.

Oprah and Deepak Chopra's free onlinee 21 Day Meditation Challenge™ can help you get started and make learning and adopting a meditation practice easy, fun and inspiring.  The free program includes daily streaming of teachings and meditations, inspirational messages, mantras and their meanings, reflection questions and a private online journal, interactive discussion forum and a daily email message.

Click here to learn more about the challenge, register and participate.

Click here to purchase Perfect Health, Creating Abundance, Free to Love, Mantras and Music Lifetime, On-Demand Access or CD Sets.

Related:
What is Mindfulness Meditation?
The Body on Meditation
Meditation Styles

Infographic: The Body on Meditation

Most of us are familiar with the many health benefits conferred by meditating, like reducing stress, anxiety and depression, lowering cholesterol and risks of heart disease, and strengthening the immune system.

But did you know a regular meditation practice can make structural changes to the brain?

This informative and interesting infographic entitled "The Body on Meditation" explains what actually happens inside the body during meditation and how meditating affects various bodily functions.

The infographic also summarizes the results of various studies involving meditation and stress, pain sensation, smoking addiction, cardiovascular disease, blood pressure and the immune system.

Related:

What is Mindfulness Meditation?

Meditation Styles

Free 21-Day Online Mediation Challenge with Oprah and Deepak Chopra


Infographic and Illustrations:  Troy Dunham
Source and for Full Page Version:  The Huffington Post