You can travel all over the world and you won’t beable to go to a place that hasn’t heard of meditation. Over and over research has shown that meditation has a beneficial effect on body and soul alike.

For a beginner the prospect of meditation becomes a bit daunting because of the religious connotations that are associated with this art. However, if you wish to boost your mental and physical processes alike- meditation is the thing for you.

Here is a list of methods of meditation that you can use as a novice to get started.

1. Zen Buddhist Meditation Technique or Zazen- This one is associated with religious practices quite often. Yet, this is indeed one of the best techniques that have been propounded by Lord Buddha. Zazen forms the core of all Zen Buddhist rituals- and it involves focusing on breathing and is requires you to sit upright and remain silent.

Instructions- If you are a beginner start by sitting straight and count until ten, and after every number exhale. After counting your inhalations and exhalations start from one again. If you become unfocused during the count, slowly draw your attention towards your breathing and start counting again. Once you get more skillful with this process, you could stop counting and concentrate on your breath only. This transition could take you years because it is quite difficult to enter this version of the meditation. The Zen meditation technique will uplift your heart and soul- and elevate your level of awareness and responsiveness.

2. Mantra Meditation Method- This is a method at the center of the Hindu faith, and because of its efficaciousness, it is a favorite method. The name reveals the system- you select a mantra that you can repeat either mentally or out loud with ease. This can aid you in a focus of your energy and thus you may more easily increase your ability to concentrate.

You could try the So Hum Mantra Meditation. While you inhale, try to think of the sound Sooo, and the sound Hummm while you exhale. ‘So Hum’ can be translated as ‘I am That’. It means that you and divinity form a singular entity. What this process does is to open your emotional core and allows you to love without any inhibitions.

3. The Chakra Meditation Method- To begin, Chakra are whirlpools of energy that must be balanced to gain the many benefits by this method and it’s many versions. You may find this very interesting method of meditation interesting. As you attain balance in your energies your emotional and physical aspects can be greatly benefited. Free and stabilize your energies by following these guidelines-

a. Arrange your Chakra upon your body and concentrate on it. Gradually you will be mindful of the placement of your Chakra and the energy it contains will begin to open up.

b. Each Chakra is directly related to what is called the ‘Beej mantra’ (the seed sound). One you repeat the Chakra over and over again, the particular center that is being targeted will open up and become balanced. You should proceed with caution because these centers should not be opened with haste or hurry.

You will know the benefits that can be procured from mediation once you start practicing it!