Finding the meditation that is right for you now depends on many factors, like what is going on in your life and what you would like to accomplish. Remember as your life evolves so must your meditation.

Which one Fits You, Passive or Active?

man in meditation

Meditation can be considered to be of two different styles, active and passive. Active meditations may engage the mind or body or both in some repetitious activity that leads to a focus that excludes random thoughts, and the troubling of the emotions they cause, from entering the mind. These styles might include Mantra (mind word) repetition either aloud or silent, while in stillness or in rhythmic motion; mental imagery that is free flowing or guided by another person; generating a sound by tapping or drumming and focusing upon it; or even archery as some oriental styles use. Passive meditations do not engage any activity of mind or body but seek a stillness of mind and union of mind spirit and body by observation of the present moment without any mental comment.

Imagine two women, one named Active and one named Passive, that happen to fall into a river. Active picks a point on the riverbank and regardless of the speed of the current begins to swim to it with no other thought than to reach that point on the bank. No effort is too great to achieve her purpose. Passive, upon finding herself in the water, allows the current to carry her forward, begins to float, and observes all around her, waiting for the moment when the river takes her to the shore, making her exit form the river with very little effort. Active takes charge and determines to make it happen; Passive regards the flow of things and with minimal effort allows matters to transpire to an agreeable end. The temperament of most persons lends itself to one of these two behavioral models. Which of these models best describes you? Are you an Active Temperament, full of plans, seeking adventures, making things happen, or are you more of a Passive Temperament, going with the flow, adapting to circumstances as they appear, observing what is going on around you and engaging when the time is opportune?

Choosing a meditation that aligns with your temperament is one option. It will feel familiar and may prove easier to learn and perform. However, perhaps a meditation that is the opposite of your natural temperament might generate better results, although it may be more difficult to learn and perform. Why be limited? Search through the meditations of these pages and try the ones that hold appeal to you. Perform your chosen meditation for a week and measure your own peace of mind, relaxation level, emotional stability, general sense of wellbeing, and physical energy. Observe which meditations cause you to advance in these areas and you will find whether active or passive meditation is best suited for you.

To find step by step instructions for both Passive and Active meditation styles click the links below.

 

Passive Meditations Active Meditations


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