Based on the Vedanta tradition, it looks at humans as part of a far bigger Whole that is known as Brahman. According to the tradition, Brahman is considered to be God or a universal cosmic energy.
Contrary to other forms of meditation, Holistic Meditation has the aim of uniting the Whole with the individual to help them enjoy many different benefits; physically, mentally, and spiritually.
In this guide, we will look at why Holistic Meditation is so important and identify different types of Holistic Meditation. We will also detail its pros and cons so you may find out if it works for you.
Why Holistic Meditation Is So Important
Holistic Meditation is an ancient technique that looks at an individual’s mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.
If you are looking for a form of meditation that tends to use techniques that are more simple and accessible then you may want to consider Holistic Meditation.
There is also the lack of required religious knowledge for Holistic Meditation so it should seem easier to involve yourself.
Like a lot of meditations, Holistic Meditation can be performed by just about anyone and it can be done anywhere and at any time.
You do not need to purchase any special equipment or spend a few minutes carrying out some essential preparation. Simply sit down, find a comfortable position, and then commit your focus to your breathing.
This straightforward practice has been known to improve an individual’s creativity, mental clarity, their productivity, and encourage their own well-being.
The Different Types Of Holistic Meditation
There are several different types of holistic meditation so there is a lot to choose from. If you have a specific condition like anxiety that you wish to overcome then there is a type for you.
Alternatively, if you want to improve your state of mind and help you reach your goals, there is a different type of Holistic Meditation to try.
With Body Scan Meditation, an individual becomes mindful of their body to reduce anxiety and stress with a focus on feeling the whole body through scanning.
Visualization Meditation focuses on visualization, specifically an individual’s goals with positive mental images to attract them into their lives. That could mean any matter of things like finishing off a creative project to getting that dream job.
Mantra Meditation is also pretty simple as it involves repeating a specific phrase or mantra to reach inner peace and a tranquil state of mind. You may want to find a quiet room to successfully practice this type of Holistic Meditation.
To focus on the present, try Mindfulness Meditation to become more aware of your body to reduce those feelings of anxiety and stress. This is a really helpful form of Holistic Meditation if you are suffering from an exceptionally busy day and need to recalibrate.
Zen Meditation focuses on enlightenment by practicing wisdom with detachment.
Chinese Meditation is known to focus on harmony between mind and body.
Then there is Transcendental Meditation which is similar to Mantra Meditation though a specific phrase is repeated so an individual can reach a transcendental state in their consciousness.
The Pros Of Holistic Meditation
There are several health benefits associated with Holistic Meditation. These are centered around reducing anxiety and stress, improving an individual’s concentration as well as their productivity.
By practicing Holistic Meditation, it can help to ward away the effects of depression and even improve an individual’s sleep quality which can prove to be incredibly helpful.
Due to some different forms of Holistic Meditation, there are several to take your pick from. Each one has its own benefits and goals so individuals can choose the one they feel will mean the most to them.
For those who want to develop their spiritual awareness, Transcendental Meditation can raise their consciousness accordingly.
Alternatively, there is Vipassana Meditation which focuses on self-knowledge and freedom from suffering via an understanding of the true nature of various things.
More general benefits of Holistic Meditation come from how it allows an individual to concentrate on their breath and their body.
As an individual’s spirit connects with the universe, they can enjoy several mental, spiritual, and physical benefits.
The specific mental benefits can include improving an individual’s creativity, introducing some insight, while reducing their feelings of anxiety and stress.
In terms of spiritual benefits, that can include simply improving an individual’s mood and a regulation of their emotions.
Holistic Meditation can even improve an individual physically by reducing their blood pressure, improving their sleep quality, and increasing their vital energy. An individual may even benefit from their improved flexibility and body awareness.
The Cons Of Holistic Meditation
While Holistic Meditation does have its benefits, it also has some drawbacks too. For instance, to successfully perform Holistic Meditation, as with other forms of meditation, requires discipline and practice.
That can take some time to learn and get accustomed to so the early days of practicing this form of meditation may feel frustrating.
If anything, there may be too many choices with Holistic Meditation. With so many different forms to choose from, it can feel overwhelming to pick one that can have the most potential benefit.
Final Thoughts
Holistic Meditation welcomes anybody, anywhere to practice this focus and relaxation technique. Its benefits are numerous as it can reduce stress but go even further to improve an individual’s sleep quality, and even relieve pain.
There are also drawbacks that can include choosing between so many different forms of Holistic Meditation. However, by connecting the spirit to the body, it can be really helpful to free oneself from those anxious thoughts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Perform Holistic Meditation?
It is really straightforward to perform Holistic Meditation as you do not need any special equipment. Simply sit down comfortably and ensure that your back is straight.
Focus on your breathing with your eyes closed and take the time to observe the air coming in and then out of your nostrils.
Allow thoughts to come and then go before focusing on your breathing for the next ten minutes though depending on the type of Holistic Meditation, you may have a mantra or phrase to repeat out loud.
How Does Meditation Help With Anxiety?
In just ten minutes, an individual can calm themselves down and significantly reduce their feelings of anxiety through meditation. Plainly, a state of anxiety is where an individual is struggling to keep their negative emotions and thoughts under control.
By incorporating meditation into their lifestyle, an individual can confront that anxious state and overcome it.
The act of meditation involves sitting down and identifying those thought patterns that trigger anxiety. By singling out those thoughts, an individual can reprogram the neural pathways in their brain.
Meditation can help with anxiety by helping to realize that those negative thoughts do not define an individual. After confronting them, an individual will soon come to know that they are in charge of their thoughts.
I'm Clare, the owner and operator of Off The Couch, where I serve as a qualified Nutrition & Health Coach.
Based in Dublin, Ireland, I offer coaching services both locally and globally, providing personalized strategies in nutrition, stress management, sleep quality, and fitness.
My journey into this field began as I navigated my own chronic illnesses, including early menopause, Interstitial Cystitis, Lyme Disease, and hydrocephalus.
