Meditation
Mindfulness, transcendental, loving-kindness, vipassana, and paths to stillness.
Terms in This Category
71 termsMindfulness
The practice of maintaining present-moment awareness with acceptance and non-judgment.
Vipassana
An ancient Buddhist meditation technique focused on insight through observing bodily sensations.
Transcendental Meditation
A mantra-based meditation technique practiced for 20 minutes twice daily to achieve deep rest.
Metta (Loving-Kindness)
A meditation practice of cultivating unconditional love and goodwill toward oneself and all beings.
Samadhi
A state of deep meditative absorption where the meditator becomes one with the object of meditation.
Dharana
Concentration—the sixth limb of Patanjali's eight-limbed yoga, focusing the mind on a single point.
Dhyana
Meditation—the seventh limb of yoga, where concentration flows into unbroken awareness.
Zen
A school of Mahayana Buddhism emphasizing meditation (zazen) and direct insight into one's true nature.
Body Scan Meditation
A practice of systematically moving attention through the body to release tension and develop awareness.
Walking Meditation
Meditative practice of slow, mindful walking—bringing awareness to each step.
Trataka
Candle gazing meditation—focusing the eyes on a flame to develop concentration.
Chakra Meditation
Meditation focusing on the energy centers to cleanse, balance, and activate them.
Mantra Meditation
Using repeated sacred words or sounds to focus the mind and elevate consciousness.
Breath Awareness
The foundational practice of simply observing the natural breath without controlling it.
Open Awareness
Choiceless awareness meditation—observing all experiences without focus on any single object.
Insight Meditation
Practices designed to develop wisdom through direct investigation of experience.
Concentration Meditation
Practices that develop one-pointed focus on a single object like breath, mantra, or image.
Contemplation
Reflective meditation on a teaching, question, or quality to deepen understanding.
Zazen
Seated Zen meditation—just sitting, observing thoughts without attachment.
Kinhin
Walking meditation in Zen practice—slow, mindful steps between sitting periods.
Shikantaza
Just sitting—the objectless meditation of Soto Zen without focusing on anything.
Trataka
Candle gazing meditation—purifying the eyes and developing concentration.
Chidakasha
Inner space meditation—awareness of the dark space behind closed eyes.
Antar Mouna
Inner silence—a systematic technique for developing witness awareness.
Ajapa Japa
Spontaneous repetition—mantra meditation that becomes automatic and effortless.
Tonglen
Tibetan practice of taking and sending—breathing in suffering, breathing out compassion.
Dzogchen
The Great Perfection—direct recognition of the natural state in Tibetan Buddhism.
Mahamudra
The Great Seal—resting in the nature of mind in Tibetan Buddhist practice.
Centering Prayer
Christian contemplative practice using a sacred word to consent to divine presence.
Lectio Divina
Sacred reading—meditative contemplation of scripture in the Christian tradition.
Muraqaba
Sufi meditation—watchfulness and heart-centered presence with the Divine.
Anapanasati
Mindfulness of breathing—the Buddha's foundational meditation instruction.
Samatha
Calm abiding meditation focused on developing concentration and tranquility.
Kasina
Concentration meditation using visual objects like colored disks or elements.
Jhana
Deep states of meditative absorption in Buddhist practice.
Kinhin
Zen walking meditation practiced between periods of sitting.
Shikantaza
Soto Zen practice of "just sitting" without technique or goal.
Koan
Paradoxical Zen riddles used to transcend conceptual thinking.
Sesshin
Intensive Zen meditation retreat lasting several days.
Oryoki
Formal Zen eating practice as meditation in action.
Tonglen
Tibetan practice of taking in suffering and sending out compassion.
Shamatha
Tibetan term for calm abiding meditation developing stability.
Vipashyana
Tibetan insight meditation revealing the nature of reality.
Dzogchen
The "Great Perfection"—Tibetan practice of resting in natural awareness.
Mahamudra
The "Great Seal"—direct recognition of mind's nature in Tibetan Buddhism.
Deity Yoga
Tantric visualization practice of identifying with enlightened beings.
Body Scan
Systematic attention through the body for relaxation and awareness.
Noting Practice
Mental labeling of experience to develop mindfulness and insight.
Choiceless Awareness
Open awareness without preference, taught by Krishnamurti.
Centering Prayer
Christian contemplative practice of consenting to God's presence.
Lectio Divina
Sacred reading—a Christian practice of meditative scripture study.
Contemplative Prayer
Wordless Christian prayer resting in divine presence.
Muraqaba
Sufi meditation practice of watchfulness and divine observation.
Tafakkur
Islamic contemplation and reflection on divine creation.
Hitbonenut
Jewish contemplative meditation on divine attributes.
Trataka
Yogic candle-gazing practice for concentration and third eye activation.
Antar Mouna
Inner silence practice from the Satyananda yoga tradition.
Ajapa Japa
Spontaneous mantra repetition synchronized with breath.
Chidakasha Dharana
Meditation on the inner space of consciousness.
Open Awareness
Non-directed meditation resting in spacious, panoramic awareness.
Self-Inquiry
Ramana Maharshi's practice of asking "Who am I?" to discover the Self.
Body Scan Meditation
Systematic attention through body parts for awareness.
Walking Meditation
Mindful walking practice bringing awareness to each step.
Open Awareness Meditation
Choiceless awareness without focusing on any object.
Concentration Meditation
Single-pointed focus building mental stability.
Insight Meditation
Practice developing wisdom through direct observation.
Compassion Meditation
Cultivating compassion for self and all beings.
Visualization Meditation
Using mental imagery for healing or spiritual growth.
Mantra Meditation
Using sacred words or phrases as meditation focus.
Breath Meditation
Using the breath as the primary focus of attention.
Silent Retreat
Extended practice period maintaining noble silence.
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