Meditation is an integral part of spiritual practice. Meditation calms the mind, tames the mind, directs the mind, and lastly, transcends the mind. The constant practice of meditation has a profound influence on consciousness. The mind is restless and loves constant movement and change. Meditation is a skill that subdues the restless nature of the mind, making it a more effective and useful instrument.

Meditation has long been used to explore the field of consciousness beyond the physical universe. A by-product of employing these methods is the elimination of stress by creating detachment. Today, many methods of meditation are used as an insight to spirituality. They honor the problems of life as the stimulus to further personal growth. They not only create detachment and perspective, they generate creativity.

The major types of meditation are:

General Meditation. Also known as practical meditation or simple meditation, this practice focuses on thoughts, memories, images, sounds, impressions and sensations, without reacting to or becoming drawn in by them. Think of basic meditation as a wide angle or macro view that helps to gain a calmer, clearer, and more relaxed state of being.

Centering Meditation. Centering means union with the Self, the nucleus of the Metaconscious mind. This type of meditation encourages insight through avenues which the Self encounters, such as will, intuition, and intellect.

Consciousness Meditation. Used for transcending or activating the superconscious, collective mind within which exists enlightenment, empowerment, and transformation of your spiritual essence. Consciousness meditation facilitates attunement, discernment, balance, control over giving attention and withdrawing attention, awakening, and awareness of powers that connect the exterior universe to our inner world.

Dynamic Meditation. More of a method to release blockages that interfere with spiritual practice than a major category, Dynamic Meditation consists of energetic movement, such as walking, drumming, or whirling, and is usually conducted in a group setting by a teacher. Dynamic Meditation ramps up created energy, builds to a peak of tension that explodes, and as a result, releasing suppressed emotions from the subconscious.