Today I want to discuss two major streams of meditation. One is the way of emptiness; the other is the way of fullness.
The way of emptiness seeks to focus the mind on a single point. It might be a breath, it might be a mantra, it might be a particular object, for example a candle. It is this path that is most commonly thought of when we speak of meditation.
Whereas the way of fullness will draw in something extra. Most commonly it is a guided visualisation where perhaps you take yourself to a landscape, or you might imagine light filling you. There are a number of ways the imagination is used in this type of meditation.
The important thing to be aware of is that the way of emptiness ie focussing the mind on one item, be it a phrase, or the breath or an object, doesn't suit every person. In particular, it often doesn't suit beginners.
So, if you are new to meditation and have been struggling to focus your mind - on your breath or a mantra or a single object - and you're still struggling, even though you've been persevering for quite some time, I suggest that you try a guided meditation instead. There are lots of them around and you may find it easier.
Some people find it easier to start with the path of fullness and over time they naturally evolve into the path of emptiness. Some people will always find the path of fullness the most helpful for them.
In summary: two broad types of meditation. The path of emptiness, which focuses the mind onto one thing, most usually breath, mantra or object. And the path of fullness, which uses the mind and imagination to draw in something such as a spiritual quality, or to take you into an imaginary landscape.
My meditations tend to be a bit of a hybrid – they have a bit of both – and there's a great variety available from the online resources to do with my book Growing Business with Soul.
If you don't have access to that, you can get it by claiming my Soul Starter gift pack at JasmineSampson.com/gift, and going to the two free chapters of the book that are in that gift pack and clicking on the 'Online Resource' link.
Do put comments and your own experience with using different types of meditation into the box below – it will help others.
I look forward to seeing you next week.
Jasmine
Whereas the way of fullness will draw in something extra. Most commonly it is a guided visualisation where perhaps you take yourself to a landscape, or you might imagine light filling you. There are a number of ways the imagination is used in this type of meditation.
The important thing to be aware of is that the way of emptiness ie focussing the mind on one item, be it a phrase, or the breath or an object, doesn't suit every person. In particular, it often doesn't suit beginners.
So, if you are new to meditation and have been struggling to focus your mind - on your breath or a mantra or a single object - and you're still struggling, even though you've been persevering for quite some time, I suggest that you try a guided meditation instead. There are lots of them around and you may find it easier.
Some people find it easier to start with the path of fullness and over time they naturally evolve into the path of emptiness. Some people will always find the path of fullness the most helpful for them.
In summary: two broad types of meditation. The path of emptiness, which focuses the mind onto one thing, most usually breath, mantra or object. And the path of fullness, which uses the mind and imagination to draw in something such as a spiritual quality, or to take you into an imaginary landscape.
My meditations tend to be a bit of a hybrid – they have a bit of both – and there's a great variety available from the online resources to do with my book Growing Business with Soul.
If you don't have access to that, you can get it by claiming my Soul Starter gift pack at JasmineSampson.com/gift, and going to the two free chapters of the book that are in that gift pack and clicking on the 'Online Resource' link.
Do put comments and your own experience with using different types of meditation into the box below – it will help others.
I look forward to seeing you next week.
Jasmine
