Meditation is often met with skepticism, which may come from a medieval mindset: what we don't understand scares us! Meditation is nothing new. For several years there have been meditative exercises in the most diverse cultures worldwide. Sometimes they are even part of the religious traditions of our western world. For example, prayer is nothing more than a form of meditation.

But if you take meditation and ignore all religious traditions and cultural practices, what is left? A question that has caused the scientific interest in meditation to increase enormously in recent years. Several studies have shown that the synapses and nerve cells in our brain can change with regular meditation and have positive effects on our body and mind. Crazy, right?

In this article we would like to introduce you to the most common types of meditation.

1. The dynamic meditation of Osho

This active meditation technique is very dynamic. It is best to do it in the morning and on an empty stomach. The meditation goes through several phases. First you breathe fast and deep, then you go into the cathartic phase with screaming, laughing, crying and other emotions that are supposed to free you. This is followed by the really active phase, in which people jump, scream and finally stand still. The meditation ends with 15 minutes of free dancing. Here you can look forward to emotional boosts and physical exertion.

Duration: approx. 1 hour
Effect: Boost energy and blood circulation

Looking for more information about this type of meditation? Here we tell you everything about dynamic meditations according to Osho .

2. The Transcendental Meditation of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi became the Beatles' spiritual advisor in 1955. No wonder his style of meditation went down in the history books. In his meditation, mantras are used to meditate. In Transcendental Meditation, the meditator should sit comfortably and upright and, with their eyes closed, mentally repeat a mantra, a word from Sanskrit. The choice of mantras is kept secret by the organization. According to former TM teachers, the names should be of Hindu deities, selected according to the age and gender of the course participants.

The entire organization around Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is very controversial and yet super interesting.

You can read more about this type of meditation in our in-depth report on transcendental meditation .

3. Meditations in Kundalini Yoga

In every Kundalini hour there is also a little meditation, but this meditation is a very special one. Because behind everyone there is a clear goal - whether anger or healing, pain or joy. In addition, there is a clear indication of the time. This varies from 3, 22, 11, 31 and 62 minutes to 2.5 hours. The meditation itself can be anything: active, rhythmic or based on breathing exercises, passive while seated or with mantras.

Effect: A 3-minute meditation, for example, has an effect on the electromagnetic field and the circulatory system, while a 62-minute meditation is said to be able to change the gray matter of the brain.

4. Vipassana: 10 days of silence

Have you ever thought about what it's like to say nothing for 10 days and just be with yourself and your thoughts? Vipassana meditation is an ancient Indian meditation that draws on the scriptures of the Therava Buddhist tradition. Normally, Vipassana is passed from teacher to student.

Traditionally, the Vipassana meditation according to SN Goenka (01/30/1924 – 09/29/2013) lasts ten days. As a course participant, you do not leave the premises during this time. It is also not allowed to be written or read. Alcohol is forbidden and only the essentials are spoken. The days are spent in meditation. This varies between sitting and walking meditations and short and concise conversations with the teachers. The aim of Vipassana is the elimination of all disturbing thoughts and thus the liberation from all human suffering (read: enlightenment).

To achieve this, special emphasis is placed on concentrating on the breath before allowing thoughts and feelings without reacting to them. After completing the Vipassana meditation, you should ideally continue meditating every day. Vipassana courses according to SN Goenka are free and are only financed by donations from the participants after the course.

5. Zazen: Meditation from Zen Buddhism

In the 12th century, a popular branch of Buddhism, namely Zen, formed in Japan. This distrusts all dogmas as well as fixed structures and theories that come from intellectual things. Instead, she favors active experience in everyday life.

The zazen meditation takes place while sitting. The eyes are half-open or open. During meditation one should not look actively, but concentrate much more on the body and mind, not reacting to thoughts and feelings. Basically, zazen meditation is about mindfulness.

Duration: last 20 minutes or several hours

As a result of zazen meditation, people usually speak of improved attention, a reduced feeling of stress and greater emotional stability.

We will update the post little by little and add new types of meditation. You are also welcome to leave us a comment with your favorite type of meditation.