There are two major techniques for meditation. The first method is called concentration meditation, and the other, mindfulness meditation.

Concentration meditation is defined by focusing on an object (an image, a sound or a word). It also employs breathing techniques, and minimizing distractions by always focusing on that chosen object. There are so many forms of this concentration meditation, including chakra, yantra, and mantra.

A chakra is a believed energy center in the body. There are seven of the chakras along the spinal column and three of them (the third, fourth, and sixth) are used for the chakra technique. The third chakra is the center for strength, the fourth for happiness, and the sixth for wisdom. By focusing on these chakras during meditation, strength, happiness, and wisdom will be gained. A yantra is an ancient geometrical design, which represents happiness and clarity. During yantra, the focus is on the center of the design and once the mind is quiet enough, the focus is extended outward until the entire design is being concentrated on. A mantra is a sacred word or phrase, meaning “speech” or “prayer”. During Mantra, this word or phrase is repeated, focusing on breathing technique, as well as the sound and energy that the mantra brings.

The second meditation technique is mindfulness meditation, also known as “vipassana” by Buddhists. This is quite different from the concentration method. Instead of pushing out thoughts and focusing on one particular object or phrase, with the mindfulness method the person is attentive to all of the passing emotions, sensations, images and sounds. This form imposes the same health benefits as concentration meditation, but it is simply done in a different way.