What are Some Ancient Meditative Techniques?

Meditation plays a vital role in many religious orders as well as martial arts techniques. Its applications in modern health care still have not been properly documented, but by all accounts the benefits are undeniable---physically, mentally and emotionally.

Prayer

• Prayer, whether through oral recitation or mental reflection and reading, is common in both Eastern and Western practices. Typically, this involves verse memorization and repetition. Popular verses come from the Bible and the Koran. The key lies in visualization of the words and their meanings until you are repeating the verses by rote and your mind is freed to explore the deeper meanings.

Breath Control

• Martial disciplines tend to favor breathing exercises to focus the mind and body. The ancient samurai of Japan believed that every important decision must be decided in seven slow breaths. You breath in slowly through the nose and out through the mouth. Top athletes also use breathing exercises similar to this, which typically include semirapid breathing to oxygenate the blood while focusing on the task at hand.

Chanting

• Another popular meditative technique in religious orders involves chanting of special words or phrases, sometimes even full songs with holy significance. Gregorian monk orders are famous for their chanting. In some other Judeo-Christian orders, various names for God are repeated.

Exercise

• Physical exercise is one time-proven method of meditation and relaxation. Be it yoga's intense positions, the fluidity of movement in tai chi chuan or something as simple as running by yourself, the constant movement allows your mind to wander from the concrete and physical into the meditative state.

Keys to Meditation

• Any of the listed techniques might be valid for you. Find a technique that engages you. Whether you reach a meditative state through concentration, exercise or clearing your mind with visualization techniques, use whatever method works for you.