I may not know the exact number to that question, but I know there are enough meditation techniques that you can take your pick and choose the one that will suit you best.

To help you get started on your search, here are five types of meditation you can take for a test drive and decide which one is right for you.

1. Breath watching meditation

Is it really possible for meditating to be as simple as paying close attention to your breath for a few minutes? You’d better believe it! This is one of the most basic and simplest types of meditation out there.

Start this technique by relaxing in whatever comfortable position works best for you.

Then, close your eyes and start to give conscious attention to your rhythm of breathing. When you breathe through your nose, your diaphragm gets involved and oxygen is moved all the way to the bottom of your lungs. If at any point your mind wanders, re-focus your attention on the sensation of air moving in and out of your nostrils.

You can elaborate on this technique and perform a Zazen Meditation by counting your breaths from one to ten and then starting over from the beginning.

Start out by performing this meditation technique for ten minutes and then slowly progress until you can sit and watch your breath for an hour.

2. An empty mind meditation

Empty mind meditation is exactly what it sounds like. It is cultivating a state of mind in which there is absence of any thought; an emptying of all thoughts from your consciousness.

The process for this meditation involves sitting still, usually in a “full lotus” or cross-legged position, and letting the mind empty itself of all thoughts. Just sit and let go of the “monkey mind” that distracts you from a state of peace and tranquility.

This meditation is one of the most difficult, particularly since any effort seems to just cause more chatter in the mind. For best results, perform this meditation in a very quiet environment where you will not be disturbed.

3. Walking meditation

Walking meditation can provide two benefits at once; both exercise and peace of mind. You can do this meditation outside or simply pace back and forth in any room. The key is to pay attention to the movement of your legs and body and also your breathing as you walk. Feel your breath go in and out and feel your feet when they come into contact with the ground.

If your mind begins to wander, just keep bringing your attention back to walking and breathing. Walking meditation outdoors can sometimes seem difficult because of the constant distractions. If you look on the positive side though, it can serve to help you to strengthen your ability to focus despite distractions.

4. Mindfulness meditation.

Mindfulness meditation is a technique that Buddhists call Vipassana, or insight meditation. Vipassana meditation was made popular by Gautama Buddha over 2500 years ago and it is considered the way of self transformation through self observation. Through deep introspection, Vipassana meditation is the art of becoming deeply aware of what is right here, right now. Your only focus is on what’s happening in and around you at this very moment and to become receptive to all of your thoughts and feelings that are consuming your being at every moment.

You can begin with a simple breath watching meditation technique and then shift your attention to any thoughts that are running through your mind, anything that you feel in your body and even the sounds that you hear around you.

The key to this meditation technique is to be mindful without being judgmental or analytical.

5. Mantra meditation.

If you find it difficult to keep your mind from wandering by using the breath watching technique, there is another type of meditation that might just suit you better. It may be easier to keep your mind from wandering if you concentrate on something specific; a point of focus.

This is where a mantra can come in handy. A mantra is a word or phrase you repeat as you sit in meditation and is often times given to you by an experienced guru in some traditions. If you choose to perform this type of meditation on your own, you can use any word or phrase, such as an affirmation, that works best for you. You can also choose to either repeat it out loud or silently in your head as you meditate.

There are many other types of meditation techniques out there that you can experiment with such as meditating on loving-kindness or just meditating on a single object of focus. Each of these types has its own advantages and effects. You may find that at different times and for different purposes you want to use several different types of meditation, so choose what’s best for you.

You can also use brain wave entrainment products such as binaural beats cd’s and mp3’s and also light and sound machines (also called mind machines) that will help to coax your mind into altered states of theta consciousness so you can experience deep states of meditation in the quickest possible time.

Be Unstoppable!
Yours in Success,

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If you are just starting out on your journey to inner peace, then this simple Zen meditation technique called Zazen will nurture your consciousness into the realms that go beyond this material world in which we so deeply enslave our minds to. This is the way to escape the conscious critical mind and find the way into a higher state of consciousness, connecting with your True Self.

In the continuous process of gaining awareness, observe how you emerge with a new sense of yourself, the way you perceive the world and a new sense of purpose in life.

Sitting in Zazen

“Sitting quietly, doing nothing, spring comes, and the grass grows by itself.” Zen Proverb

The practice of meditation should be approached the same way as any physical exercise; in a progressive manner.

Don’t expect to sit for an hour in deep meditation you very first time out just as you shouldn’t expect to run 5 miles if you have never engaged in any type of physical exercise before. It takes time to build up the focus and concentration to sit for long periods of time.

Just as any improvements in health and physical appearance related to exercise are in direct correlation to the consistency of the practice, so it is with meditation. Consistency is the key. It is bett

er to a little bit every day than for long periods sporadically over time.

The first step in the practice of Zazen meditation is to find a quiet and comfortable place where you will be free from any disturbance. Sit in a comfortable position, either on the floor or in a chair. Your aim should be to keep your spine straight and your body perpendicular to the floor. If you choose to sit on the floor, you can sit in any position which is most comfortable for you such as lotus, half lotus, Burmese or seiza (kneeling) position.

For the sake of comfort while sitting, I highly recommend using a zafu and a zabuton. If you are not familiar with these two items, a zafu is a special meditation pillow that is usually filled with kapok or buckwheat hulls and a zabuton is a thick mat that you place under a zafu that will cushion the knees.

I feel these two meditation tools are essential and will help you to maintain correct posture and provide comfort throughout your meditation session.

Another tool that you can use while meditating is a seiza bench. Some people find sitting on one of these small benches in a kneeling position called Burmese is much more comfortable that sitting.

Any way that you choose to sit, the goal is for you to feel very relaxed and be able to focus. If you choose to sit on a chair, be sure that your spine is straight and that your feet are placed flat on the floor.

Hand position in Zazen

“The tighter you squeeze, the less you have.” Zen Proverb

Your hand position is very important in the meditation process. It is recommended to place your hands in a position which is called the cosmic mudra.

Start by placing your right hand with your palm up in your lap close to your lower abdomen. Then take your left hand and place it palm up on top of your right hand. The fingers of both hands should be parallel and the middle fingers should touch at the second joint. Finally raise your thumbs and touch them together at the tips, forming an oval with your thumbs and fingers.

Head in Zazen

“Knock on the sky and Listen to the sound.” Zen Proverb

Keep your head straight, chin slightly tucked and try to stretch your neck toward the ceiling. Your eyes can either be completely closed or they can also be kept slightly open and gazing at a 45 degree angle toward the floor in front of you.  Some find it easier not to doze off or daydream with the eyes in the slightly open position rather than completely closed.

I personally feel I can concentrate to a greater extent with the eyes in the fully closed position. This helps me to shut out the rest of the world and focus my attention inward.

Breathing in Zazen

“When you try to stay on the surface of the water, you sink; but when you try to sink, you float.” Zen Proverb

The breath should be observed while practicing Zazen meditation. Do not try to force your breath in a rhythm or pattern while meditating, just let the breath be. Let it happen.

Breathe through the nostrils and let the breath rise and fall similar to the tide of the ocean on a sandy beach. Concentrate on breathing with the abdomen and letting it fill with air and deflate just like a balloon.

When just starting out in meditation and focused concentration is difficult to cultivate, a good technique to use is breath counting. This will help you maintain focused concentration throughout your session without daydreaming or falling asleep.

Start by counting each breath on both the inhalation and exhalation. On your first breath in you would count “one” silently in your mind and then when your breath out you would count “two”. Count until you have reached a count of 10 and then start over.

After you have are proficient in this first phase, you can then count each inhalation and exhalation as “one”, silently counting on the exhale of the breath.  Again, count up to 10 and then start over.

If at any point you lose count, simply start over from one.

After you have mastered the art of concentration then there is no need for counting. At this point you would just observe your breath, feeling the sensation of the air entering and leaving your nostrils and feeling the rise and fall of your abdomen.

The Mind in Zazen

“Be master of mind rather than mastered by mind.” Zen Proverb

The mind is like a pool of water. When the water is calm and settled, it can be as clear as glass and reflect the warm sun above like a mirror. Like this pool of water, when your mind is settled it is clear and you are connected to Source.

Throw a pebble into the pool and the water ripples and becomes murky and unsettled. Likewise, when you mind is unsettled and cluttered with negative thoughts and emotions, you are farthest from Source.

The product of Zazen meditation is a peaceful mind just like the calm pool of water that reflects the heavens above. When the mind is still and peaceful you can then connect to Source and amazing things will happen in your life.

There will be times when thoughts enter your mind while meditating. Just let them happen. They will enter and then dissipate like a puff of smoke into the air above. Keep your attention on your breathing and your mind will settle.

After Zazen

“To know and not do is not yet to know.” Zen Proverb

After your meditation session, take the time to reflect on your experience. I would recommend keeping a meditation journal and take notes on anything that you experienced while in meditation.

Do this meditation for at least ten minutes to start out with, twice a day. As you become more experienced at this technique, progressively increase the time in which you meditate, working up to 60 minutes per session.

Preferably, meditate at the start of each day and also at the end of your day to recharge your spirit. This is also helpful to alleviate your worries and get you ready to conquer the many challenges of life.

This is just the beginning of your journey to inner peace, and this simple Zazen meditation technique will surly provide the nurturing your consciousness needs to advance into the realms that go beyond this material world in which we so deeply enslave our minds to. Practice your way to escape the conscious critical mind and find the way into a higher state of consciousness, connecting with your True Self.

With this continuing process of gaining awareness through Zazen meditation, you can then emerge with a new sense of yourself, the way you perceive the world and a new sense of your purpose in life.

Be Unstoppable!
Yours in Success,

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Have you ever wondered if there actually is a place where you can go to in order to experience this blissful state of inner peace and harmony? Have you ever imagined actually ever finding a place you can retreat to where you can find all of the answers to the deepest questions of Life? Let me enlighten you. There actually is a place and it already exists inside of you. That place can be found through meditation, utilizing simple practices such as Zazen.

So what is Zazen anyway?

Zazen can actually be translated to “seated meditation”. It is a method of meditation in which you go deep inside yourself, not to escape the world per se, but actually become one with the Universe and all that is connected. It is at this point of connection that you experience that state of pure bliss and inner peace and come to know your True Self.

Zazen is the practice of becoming one with your breath. It is the art of practicing non-duality, a marriage between the mind and body through the awareness of your breath in the moment. Through this practice you let go of the ego and all that it encompasses and bring the mind out of the past and also the future right into the present moment. You can only find true inner peace and bliss when you are experiencing everything right here, right now. This is the place Zazen brings you to.

The value of “Inner Peace”

In this fast and furious pace of life we live in today, we often tend to lose our focus on the most important and elementary principles of life. It is this fact that that we are constantly trying to meet the wants and needs of the ego, neglecting the importance and value of true inner peace. The lack of this internal serenity, which is the true meaning of happiness, may tend to bring about feelings of anxiety, depression, and an overall sense of unbalance, feeling unfulfilled no matter how many accomplishments you have made.

It is the state of mental chaos and an unbalanced and ungrounded sense of well being that is the primary purpose of practicing Zazen, a form of Zen meditation. Zazen allows you to connect with your true internal essence, the real you, and watch the flow of your thoughts dissipate as you retire into the realm of your sense of just being. More significantly though, it provides new Life Force energy and the connection with Infinite Intelligence and breaks the bond that you have to identifying only with our physical body and your physical world.

Zazen is essential for personal development

I feel that the practice of Zazen, or any other form of meditation for that matter, is a crucial element to personal development that needs to be a part of your everyday routine. In its basic form, Zazen initiates the process of atonement and the renewal of your spirit which releases the true power within you.

With the very small amount of time that is required for Zazen, you can learn more about your True Self and happiness than spending a lifetime searching on dead end streets such as material possessions or infatuations mistakenly thought of as love.

Inner Peace will lead to great achievements

In addition to finding a place of inner peace, the mind, body spirit connection can also lead you to profound achievements in your life. When you come to the point that you have learned to sit quietly and settle your mind, you will have then harnessed the power to focus and concentrate which will then give you a clearer sense of direction and purpose in life.

Amazing things will begin to happen when you are connected with Source through Zazen meditation. Magical synchronicities and other great occurrences will begin to pop up in your life. When you let go and experience inner peace, it will seem that you are always in the right place at the right time.

In “How to Easily Unlock Inner Peace With Zazen Meditation: Part 2″I will give an introduction to the actual practice and techniques of Zazen to get you started on your way to a healthier happier life.

Be Unstoppable!
Yours in Success,

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