Meditation is a practice that helps you train your attention and awareness, and achieve a calm, clear, stable state of mind. It is known to reduce stress and anxiety, help people with depression and PTSD, and can improve memory retention.
Various types of meditation are available, and you can choose the one that fits your needs. Some of the most common techniques include:
Focused Meditation
In this type of meditation, you focus on a specific object or thought. It can be a candle, an image, a mantra, or even your own breathing.
Body Scan Meditation
This is a technique that involves consciously relaxing different parts of the body, starting at the feet and working your way up. It is very effective for those who suffer from pain or physical discomfort.
Visualization Meditation
This technique can help you increase your focus and motivation, and succeed in certain goals by imagining a picture or scene. It can also be a powerful tool for those who are feeling low-spirited or have problems with confidence.
The brain reacts to meditation by developing a region that is devoted to concentration. The area is called the hippocampus, and research has shown that meditation can strengthen it.
Joseph Goldstein is a resident guiding teacher of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, and has been leading retreats worldwide since 1974. He is the author of several books on Buddhism, including A Heart Full of Peace and One Dharma.