Are you just getting started with meditation or exploring the practice? You likely have a ton of questions about the practice itself, what you need to get started or even its origins. Don’t worry – we have you covered. We’ve rounded up 30 of the most common questions about meditation to help you learn more about this practice.
What is Meditation?
Meditation is an ancient practice dating back thousands of years. The word “meditation” originates from the Latin word “meditatum,” which means “to ponder.”
The purpose of the practice is to focus or clear your mind, which can help:
Reduce stress
Allow you to relax
Reduce anxiety
Improve concentration
There are many types of meditation, each of which has its own methods or techniques for achieving a calm, relaxed mind. These techniques may include:
Focusing on an object
Repeating a mantra
Focusing on the breath
Walking or performing some other type of movement
Where Did Meditation Originate?
Because meditation is an ancient practice that’s been around for thousands of years, it can be tricky to pinpoint its exact origin.
The earliest documented records of meditation are from the Hindu traditions of India around 1500 BCE.
Other forms of meditation have also been documented in the 6th and 5th centuries BCE in Buddhist India and Taoist China.
We can also find written accounts of different meditative states in the Pāli Canon sutras that date all the way back to the 1st century BCE in Buddhist India.
There are many theories on the origins of meditation, but the truth is that we just don’t know.
However, there have been a few key people who have helped spread the meditation practice, including:
The Buddha, also known as Siddhārtha Gautama or Siddhattha Gotama. His teachings are the foundation of Buddhism.
Dosho, a Japanese monk from the 7th century who traveled to China and studied Buddhism. After learning the Zen process, he returned to Japan and shared it with others.
Lao-Tze, an ancient philosopher from China and author of Tao-te-Ching. The text became the foundation of Taoism, which speaks of meditation and finding wisdom in silence.
Meditative practices have been a part of many cultures and religions around the world for centuries, even if these practices are not explicitly called “meditation.”
How Can Meditation Benefit Your Daily Life?
Many people find that meditation benefits their daily lives in several ways, including:
Improving anxiety. One meta-analysis that included more than 1,000 adults found that meditation may help reduce anxiety, especially for people with high levels of anxiety. Another study found that 8 weeks of mindfulness meditation helped reduce anxiety symptoms in people with generalized anxiety disorder.
Reducing stress. One review found that meditation can indeed reduce stress. Another 8-week study found that mindfulness meditation helped reduce the stress-induced inflammation response.
Helping improve emotional health. One review of 18 studies found that meditation helped reduce symptoms of depression compared to individuals in a control group. Another review found that meditation can reduce cytokine levels, inflammatory chemicals linked to depression.
Increasing focus. One review found that meditation may reverse brain patterns that contribute to worrying and mind wandering. Even short periods of meditation can help with your focus. One study found that practicing for 13 minutes a day improved memory and attention after eight weeks.
Many people also find that meditation helps improve their pain, sleep and even their compassion.
People are affected by meditation in different ways, so the practice can provide a wide range of benefits that are unique to each individual.
How Does Meditation Differ from Relaxation or Self-Hypnosis?
Meditation can help put you into a calm, relaxed state. You may have also seen people who get so deep into their meditation practice that it looks like they’re in a state of hypnosis. Is meditation really different from these two things?
Yes!
The goal of meditation is to enhance your perception of the present moment. The feeling of meditation is often compared to a heightened state of wakefulness. You become hyper-aware of your mind, body and surroundings.
On the other hand, self-hypnosis is often compared to the feeling of being in a dream-like state.
Meditation also differs from relaxation. While meditation can certainly help you relax, many people find that the practice helps them discover how their minds work. It becomes a journey of self-discovery rather than simply easing tension or stress.
When Should I Meditate?
The great thing about meditation is that there’s no right or wrong time to do it. It’s something that you can do anytime, anywhere.
That said, you may find that you have better meditation sessions at certain times of the day. Meditation is best performed at a time and place that is:
Quiet
Free of distractions
Comfortable
Skilled meditators can meditate in any situation, even in crowded, busy streets. But most people will find that they can only really get into a deep meditative state if they are in a calm, quiet place.
Determine which time of day will work best for your sessions. Many people find that first thing in the morning works best because it helps them start the day on the right foot – and it’s usually quiet in the morning.
How Do I Get Started with Meditation?
Getting started is always the hardest part of any new activity or practice, and meditation is no exception.
Meditation doesn’t require any tools or equipment, but a little guidance can go a long way in making your sessions more fruitful and less frustrating.
An app like Headspace can help you ease into the practice and will provide helpful tips. You can also find many free guided meditations on YouTube that will introduce you to the practice and give you a chance to try it out with no monetary commitment.
Why Should I Meditate?
Everyone has their own reasons for practicing meditation. It’s important to find yours. If you don’t have a personal reason for meditating, you may find it difficult to stay motivated to continue your practice.
Many people start meditating because they want to:
Ease their anxiety and reduce the stress in their lives.
Improve their symptoms of depression.
Discover more about their minds and themselves.
Learn how to become more resilient to stress.
Others choose to start meditating because of the brain benefits it offers. Research has found that meditation can strengthen areas of the brain associated with learning, memory, self-awareness and attention.
How Can I Make Meditation a Habit?
The best way to make any new activity a habit is to do it consistently. Some experts say that it takes 30 days to form a habit, but it may take you more or less time to reach this point.
How can you ensure you practice meditation regularly?
Commit to doing just a few minutes a day, and gradually increase the time.
Have patience and be kind to yourself. If you fall out of the habit, don’t beat yourself up. The most important thing is to keep trying your best to meditate regularly.
What is the Difference Between Meditation and Mindfulness?
The terms mindfulness and meditation are often used interchangeably. After all, mindfulness meditation is a popular practice.
However, while similar in nature, these two terms technically have different meanings.
Mindfulness is the act of paying attention to and being aware of your surroundings or whatever activity you’re engaging in. When someone is being mindful, they are aware of their thoughts, behaviors, feelings, movements and even their effects on others.
Meditation is an intentional practice where you bring all of your awareness to your breath or another single point of focus.
During meditation, you may become more mindful of your surroundings, and this is what is known as mindfulness meditation.
While these two practices are connected, they are still separate things. You can meditate without practicing mindfulness and vice versa.
Should Your Eyes Be Opened or Closed During Meditation?
Many new meditators wonder whether they should keep their eyes open or closed when meditating. The truth is that there’s really no right or wrong answer here.
Some people prefer to keep their eyes closed, while others find it easier to stay fixated on an object if their eyes are open.
Try experimenting with your eyes opened and with your eyes closed to see which one you prefer.
How Long Should I Meditate For?
There’s no minimum or maximum time you should meditate for – it’s all about your own personal limit.
Many beginners find that 5-10 minutes a day works for them to get started with the practice. It’s not uncommon for more experienced people to meditate for an hour or more at a time.
Here are a few things to know:
If your goal is to reduce stress, 10 minutes is all you need.
If your goal is to improve concentration and anxiety, 30+ minutes is ideal.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction therapy recommends practicing for 40-45 minutes each day. In some Buddhist traditions, it’s common to meditate for just 15 minutes at a time.
How Can I Ignore Distractions During Meditation?
One of the biggest challenges of meditation is learning how to ignore or overcome distractions. Imagine that you’re trying to meditate but your roommate is blasting their music, the neighborhood kids are yelling outside, and your phone won’t stop buzzing.
Today, we have more distractions than ever, and that can make it hard to get into the right state of mind for meditation.
How can you ignore distractions? Here are some tips:
Set yourself up for success. Give yourself time for your practice. Choose a quiet spot with minimal distractions. Put your phone on silent, and wear headphones. Let your friends and family know that you’re dedicating this time to meditation and that you do not want to be disturbed.
Redirect your focus when you get distracted. If you find yourself getting distracted by sounds or thoughts, redirect your attention to your breath or whatever object you’re focusing on. Do not beat yourself up about it—practice non-resistance. Be present with the distraction and redirect your attention back to where you want it to be.
Treat each experience as a lesson. Reflect on how your mind works and what kinds of distractions have the strongest pull for you. By better understanding what distracts you, you can take steps to reduce distractions or learn how to identify them and redirect your attention.
Does Meditation Have to be a Religious or Spiritual Practice?
Although meditation has religious and spiritual roots, it does not necessarily have to be practiced for these purposes.
Many people use mindfulness-based meditation to simply:
Reduce stress and anxiety
Bring a sense of balance and peace to their lives
Learn how to improve their focus and memory
Whether or not you explore the spiritual or religious aspects of this practice is entirely up to you. At the end of the day, meditation is simply sitting peacefully.
Should I Meditate If I Already Do Things Like Yoga or Exercise?
Meditation is a mental practice, not a physical one. So, it’s perfectly fine to meditate if you already engage in physical activities, even those that may feel meditative, like running or yoga.
In fact, many people find that meditation helps enhance their exercise routines and gives them the extra energy boost they need to get moving.
Is There a Right or Wrong Way to Meditate?
The great thing about meditation is that there’s no right or wrong way to do it. However, it’s important to find a method or practice that works well for you and your needs.
You may find that some methods or types of meditation don’t work well for you. In this way, you could argue that there’s a “wrong” way to meditate simply because the practice isn’t meeting your needs.
But as a general rule of thumb, you can’t really meditate the wrong way or even be bad at meditation. Remember – it’s all about accepting the present moment as it is and without judgment.
What is a Meditation Object?
Meditation objects are used in object meditation, which is a visual-based practice where you focus on one particular thing.
A meditation object can be just about anything:
A tree outside
A candle
A visual picture in your mind
It doesn’t matter what the object is as long as you can maintain your focus on it without judgment or labels.
Why is Breath Awareness So Important in Meditation?
Breath awareness is a traditional focus for meditation practices, but why? Because it’s something that is ever-present and relatively simple to focus on.
Additionally, paying attention to the rise and fall of your breath can help you naturally take longer and deeper inhales and exhales, helping you relax and easing stress.
Breath awareness also helps synchronize the mind and body so that you become fully aware and immersed in the present moment.
Where Should I Meditate?
Just as there is no right or wrong way to meditate, there is no right or wrong place to practice. Skilled meditators can practice anywhere, including the busiest and noisiest of streets in a city.
That said, most people find that the best place to meditate is one that is:
Quiet
Safe
Peaceful
Free from distractions
This place can be anywhere, from your front porch to your local park.
Do I Have to Sit Cross-legged When I Meditate?
No, you don’t have to sit in a cross-legged position when meditating. You can sit in whatever position you like. The most important thing is to be comfortable.
Many people find that sitting in a cross-legged position puts too much stress on their knees. The last thing you want is to be in pain or uncomfortable when you’re trying to relax and get into a meditative state. So, find a position that works for you. You can also use a meditation cushion or stool, which will take some of the stress off of your knees.
Should I Listen to Music While Meditating?
It’s perfectly fine to listen to music while meditating. In fact, many people find that music helps them get into a deeper meditative state. Just make sure that you choose relaxing music that won’t be too distracting.
Remember that there’s no right or wrong way to meditate. If music helps you with your practice and you enjoy listening to it while you meditate, then continue to do so.
What Do I Need to Get Started with Meditation?
The beauty of meditation is that you only need two things to get started: a peaceful place and time. You can spend money on fancy cushions and courses if you want, but ultimately, all you need is time and a place to practice.
Do I Have to Have a Blank Mind to Meditate?
Many people are intimidated by meditation because they’ve been told they have to empty their minds or keep their minds blank while practicing. But if you’re a beginner, it can be extremely difficult to keep your mind free of noise and chatter at first.
Rather than telling yourself not to think while meditating, just allow things to be as they are in the moment without attachment or judgment. Witness and observe your thoughts, and then let them go. Don’t get caught up in them.
How Do I Stop Feeling Restless or Uncomfortable While Meditating?
If you’re feeling restless, acknowledge it. Observe your restlessness, allow it to be and explore the feeling. Why are you feeling restless? Remember to be kind to yourself. It’s okay to feel this way. You may find that shorter meditation sessions can help you avoid that feeling of restlessness in the beginning. As you get used to the practice, you can extend your time.
If you’re feeling uncomfortable, try moving around and finding a position where you feel relaxed but still awake and alert.
It’s normal to feel restless or uncomfortable when you first start meditating. Even if you’ve been practicing for years, you may still encounter these experiences.
What Should I Do if I Keep Falling Asleep While Meditating?
Many beginners fall asleep during their meditation sessions. It’s normal and common, so don’t stress about it. But if you find that you’re always falling asleep and having trouble progressing with your meditation, here are some tips:
There’s no right or wrong way to meditate, and everyone experiences meditation in their own way. That said, there are some things that many people experience while meditating:
A heightened sense of awareness – of your surroundings as well as your thoughts and emotions
You stop making judgments and simply observe
You become enveloped in a state of stillness
You may notice that you feel calmer, more relaxed, more resilient to stress and overall, more motivated and joyful if your meditation is progressing.
Am I Still Meditating if I Have Thoughts During My Session?
Yes, you can still meditate even if you have thoughts. The goal isn’t to stop having thoughts. The goal is to simply observe and witness thoughts if they arise, and then let them go.
If you’re too focused on keeping your mind blank and trying to force your mind into not thinking, it will be extremely challenging to get into a meditative state.
Once you stop trying to empty your mind, you’ll find that your thoughts naturally disappear after practice and time.
How Do I Quiet My Mind During Meditation?
If you have a busy mind that’s constantly moving from one thought to another, it can be challenging to really get deep into meditation.
One way to address this issue is to bring your focus back to your breath. Whenever you feel your mind wandering or notice that you’re getting lost in thought, bring your attention to your breath.
Simply shifting your attention back to where you want it to be can help sharpen your focus. Over time, you may find that your mind is naturally quieter.
It may also help to repeat a mantra or to say “in” and “out” with each inhale or exhale. Taking this approach can help ensure that you’re in control of your mind rather than letting it wander on its own.
How Do I Deal with Back or Leg Pain While Meditating?
It’s common to experience leg or back pain while meditating, especially if you’re new to the practice and sitting in positions you don’t normally sit in. But pain should never be a part of your practice.
If you’re feeling any kind of back or leg pain while you’re meditating, shift your position. Find a comfortable way to sit – any way will do
You can also try:
Sitting in a chair or up against a wall to support your back
Placing a blanket or towel under your knees for support
Using a meditation cushion
Ensuring that you’re using good posture when sitting
What Should I Wear While Meditating?
You can wear whatever you like while meditating. There are no rules – unless you are attending formal classes or sessions in facilities that have dress codes.
Whatever you wear, make sure you’re comfortable. Clothing that is too tight or constricting can be uncomfortable or even painful and may prevent you from breathing deeply during your practice.
Is There a Specific Way I Should Breathe During Meditation?
There are many breathing exercises out there, and there are many ways to breathe during meditation. But if you’re just getting started, don’t fixate on these things. Just breathe naturally.
It’s okay if you have shallow breathing. It’s okay if you have deep breathing. Just let it be.
Over time, you may find that your breathing patterns change naturally to become slower and deeper.
Final Thoughts
It’s natural to have many questions about meditation, but at the end of the day, it’s a simple practice. Don’t overthink it, and just allow everything just to be.
Not sure what to buy the meditator in your life? We’ve rounded up 13 of the top meditation gifts to help enhance their practice. From meditation cushions to experience gifts and subscription boxes, you’re sure to find something for your loved one on our list.
Disclosure: Some of the products we recommend include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. We may earn a commission if you buy something through any affiliate link on our site.
Look for pillows with supportive, comfortable filling (like buckwheat) and removable covers for easy cleaning.
We like this meditation pillow from Florensi. It’s just the right size and comes with a square floor cushion for extra support for your knees and ankles.
Singing bowls are traditionally used as a meditation tool to help clear the mind, but they can also be therapeutic. For example, they’re used in sound healing to help ease pain, promote muscle relaxation and even help with digestive issues.
Sound therapy isn’t just a bunch of nonsense, either. A review of 400 studies found that music has physical and mental health benefits.
Plus, singing bowls are just fun to play, and they’re beautifully detailed.
If you’re going to buy a singing bowl as a gift for a friend or loved one, consider the following:
Material: Metal and crystal bowls are available. Both are excellent choices, but metal bowls tend to be easier to play (great for beginners).
Size: Small bowls are perfect for beginners. Keep in mind that crystal bowls are heavier than their metal counterparts. The size and the weight will affect the resonance.
We like this singing bowl from Telsha. It’s a decent size (5” tall with a 5.5” diameter), and it’s locally sourced. No two bowls are the same, and they come with a wooden mallet for easy play.
Meditation books are great gifts for anyone seeking knowledge on how to improve their practice or even how to get started. Beyond practice, you can find books that delve into more philosophical and spiritual aspects of meditation.
You can find a great selection of meditation books on Amazon, including:
Books make great stocking stuffers and are a thoughtful choice for any meditator.
4. Meditation Session, Workshop or Retreat
Experience gifts are truly memorable. If it’s in your budget, consider booking your friend or loved one a meditation retreat, workshop or session.
There are so many great options for workshops and retreats all over the world, such as:
Esalen Institute in California’s Big Sur area. They offer workshops, accommodations, natural hot springs and more.
Drala Mountain Center in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado. They offer a number of retreat events throughout the year. Along with meditation and yoga sessions, they also have hikes and share meals.
Kadampa Meditation Center in Glen Spey, New York. This meditation center is a great budget-friendly option. Workshops start at $20. Accommodation starts at $90 per person per night – or $110 for two people. They also have study programs for those who want to learn more about Buddhist teachings.
If you search for “meditation workshops near me” or “meditation retreats near me,” you’re sure to find local options. Just make sure that you do your research to see what’s included and how other people rate the experience.
5. Guided Breathing Tool
Meditation is all about focusing on the rise and fall of your breath. Learning how to slow down your breathing can also help calm your body and mind.
But it’s not always easy to practice your breathing when you’re panicked or you’re new to meditation. That’s where a guided breathing tool comes in.
We love the Breathing Buddha from Mindsight because it’s adorable and educational.
This tiny Buddha changes colors when it’s time to inhale (green), hold at the top of the breath (purple) and exhale (blue).
The great thing about this handy tool is that you can take it anywhere. So, if you know someone who works a stressful job, has trouble sleeping at night or just wants to improve their breathing, Breathing Buddha is a thoughtful gift.
An essential oil diffuser isn’t necessary for meditation, but it can help. Aromatherapy can help you relax and get into the right mindset for a meditation session. Depending on the essential oils that you use, they can also help with mental clarity and boost your mood.
There are a dizzying number of diffusers on the market today. Most models are ultrasonic and easy to use. Just fill the water reservoir, add a few drops of essential oil, and hit the power button.
If you want a simple, no-frills aromatherapy diffuser, this one from HLS is a great option. It comes in a few colors and has a modern design that will look great in any home.
Plus, it comes with a set of essential oils: lavender, peppermint, tea plant, lemon, eucalyptus, rosemary, orange flower, frankincense, cinnamon and cedar.
The LED color light strip can help set the mood, and there’s an automatic timer setting for easy use.
If you want to go beyond a basic diffuser, try this Himalayan salt diffuser. This 2-in-1 device offers aromatherapy and ionic salt therapy.
The diffuser has genuineHimalayan pink salt crystals, which contain more than 70 trace minerals. It also comes with a set of essential oils: peppermint, eucalyptus, spearmint, lemongrass, tea tree, clove, lavender, orange, nutmeg and Jasmine.
If a meditation cushion doesn’t offer enough support, a meditation chair may be the next best thing. These chairs are designed to help you sit comfortably in an upright position for meditation.
It includes a backrest (with a lumbar pillow), a meditation cushion and a floor cushion.
If you know someone who wants to meditate but has back problems or mobility issues, a meditation chair is a thoughtful gift.
We love the chair from Friends of Meditation (FOM) because it’s portable, provides ample back support and has a removable cover for easy cleaning.
When life gets stressful, we tend to forget to take care of ourselves. If you have a friend or loved one who could use a little reminder to practice self-care and mindfulness, a set of mindfulness cards is a thoughtful gift.
We love the card set from Allura & Arcia. They include little practices or exercises to help you stress less and take better care of yourself.
Salt lamps may not seem like a traditional meditation gift, but they can enhance the practice by serving as a focal point for meditation. They also add a warm, cozy glow that can help you feel more relaxed.
Many people believe that salt lamps can help purify the air.
Their unique shape and beauty make salt lamps a wonderful gift for friends and family members who meditate.
We love the lamps from the Himalayan Glow Store because they’re made from natural Himalayan salt crystals that are hand mined.
A meditation stool is a wonderful gift for anyone who prefers kneeling during meditation. These stools are specially designed to promote good posture while opening up the body and alleviating pressure on the knees.
Kneeling, instead of sitting cross-legged, can help promote healthy circulation while making it easy to relax and stay in an upright position.
We like the stool from Monk & Llama because it folds up for easy portability and the frame is made from bamboo. It also has a removable cushion and a handy carrying case. Choose from five colors – purple, black, gray, blue and beige.
Mindfulness is a journey, and journaling is a part of that journey for many people. From gratitude to thoughts and emotions, journaling is an excellent tool for exploring the mind and improving mental health.
Meditators will appreciate receiving a mindfulness journal as a gift.
We love this mindfulness meditation journal from the AlreadyThereShop on Etsy. It has daily prompts to help you:
Many meditators use incense to help clear and relax their minds. As a form of aromatherapy, incense can help you get into the right state for a deep meditation session.
Like with essential oils, there are so many types of incense, and they each have their own effects. But here are some of the most popular ones used in meditation:
Palo Santo
Known for its soothing scent, Palo Santo is believed to help raise your vibration and is often used during meditation.
Palo Santo is a tree that’s native to South America, primarily Peru and Ecuador. So, when you’re buying Palo Santo, you’re technically buying chunks of wood. They burn longer, and they produce an intoxicating aroma.
We like the Palo Santo from the Luna Sundara Store because it’s sustainably harvested in Peru and derived from fair trade suppliers.
Nag Champa is one of the most well-known types of incense, especially for meditation. It’s believed to create a sacred atmosphere and enhance meditation. Nag Champa incense is commonly used during morning prayers, ceremonies and special events.
It’s difficult to find real Nag Champa incense, but the Govinda store comes pretty close. We like this kit because it comes with an incense holder.
If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the meditator in your life, a subscription box is a thoughtful option.
The MindfulSouls self-care subscription box includes basic essentials and fun little things that are all related to mindfulness, meditation and self-care.
Each box comes with 6-8 items, like healing crystals, jewelry, self-care products, guides and more.
Meditation has become a universal practice. If you, like many others, have gained an interest in meditation and are learning more about it, there’s a good chance that you’ve come across words or terms you don’t understand.
In this guide, we hope to bring some clarity by defining some of the most common meditation words.
Meditation Mantras
Many people recite mantras when they meditate. These meditation words can serve a variety of purposes. They can help you stay focused, making it easier to get into a meditative state. They can also be used to promote relaxation, alleviate stress and cultivate a more positive mindset.
Here are some example mantras:
I allow myself to rest
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti (Means: Peace of body, mind and speech)
Om (the most sacred mantra)
Aham Prema (Means: I am Divine Love)
I am that I am
I am enough
All that I need is within me
I am fulfilled
I am fearless
These are just a few of the many mantras used in meditation.
Mindfulness Meditation Words
When practicing mindfulness meditation, you may come across several terms that you are unfamiliar with, including:
Five Hindrances
Refers to the hindrances that can prevent you from reaching enlightenment or nirvana. They include:
Aversion
Attraction
Restlessness
Sluggishness (mentally)
Doubt
Six Sense Doors
The six senses in which the mind is aware of to make sense of the world. These include:
Refers to the unification of attention; a state of intense concentration.
Four Satipatthana
These are the four foundations of mindfulness:
Mindfulness of the body
Mindfulness of feeling tones
Mindfulness of mental states
Mindfulness of dhammas
Buddhist Meditation Chant Words
There are many Buddhist meditation chant words and phrases, which include (but are not limited to):
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhassa
Meaning: I honor the blessed one, who is fully enlightened and the only one.
A mantra that pays homage to Buddha to help them perform good deeds and gain enlightenment.
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
Meaning: Devotion of our mind and body.
A powerful mantra that encourages us to surrender ourselves to divine power. It can be used to give us the strength to face challenges.
Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha
Meaning: Honors White Tara, which is depicted as having seven eyes and sitting cross-legged.
White Tara is associated with long life, and this chant is often recited with a certain person in mind.
Gate Gate Para Gate Parasam Gate Bodhi Svaha
Meaning: Going, going, always going beyond and always becoming Buddha.
This chant is also known as the “Heart Sutra,” and it is recited to help the practitioner gain clarity in their spiritual life.
Meditation Phrases
There are many terms or phrases related to meditation that either describe different practices or outcomes and effects of the practice. Some of the most common meditation words in this category are:
Transcendental Meditation
A silent mantra meditation promoted by the Transcendental Meditation movement. The practice is believed to create a relaxed state of awareness and reduce stress to reach a higher state of consciousness.
This form of meditation is practiced for 15-20 minutes twice per day. It is amongst the most widely practiced and widely researched forms of meditation.
Conscious Awareness
Refers to the state of being awake and aware of your surroundings.
Eightfold Path
The path to nirvana, or enlightenment. The eightfold path includes right:
Views
Speech
Livelihood
Intention
Action
Mindfulness
Effort
Concentration
Reflection
The practice of engaging the mind. In meditation, the goal is to empty and clear the mind. Reflection is all about thinking about challenges, goals, decisions and life experiences.
Zen
A school of Mahayana Buddhism that focuses on the attainment of enlightenment. Those who follow this school practice the zazen meditation technique, and it requires the help of an accomplished and experienced teacher.
Enlightenment
To attain full awakening; to reach nirvana and become a Buddha.
Chakra
Refers to the seven energy points on the body. The word “chakra” itself translates to wheel or cycle. There are seven chakras that run along the spine and affect areas of your health, behavior and mental health.
Dharma
Sometimes called cosmic law and regarded as right behavior. Dharma is a universal truth that is common to all individuals.
It is said that a person achieves nirvana when their mind is at peace and impervious to worldly temptations. Nirvana is sometimes referred to as enlightenment.
Aura
Refers to the energy field surrounding a person. Auras are typically perceived as colors. Common interpretations of these colors are:
Purple: Spiritual awareness, higher consciousness
Indigo: Insight, wisdom, spirituality
Blue: Self-expression, intuition
Green: Healing, service, love of nature, responsibility
Yellow: Laughter, optimism, creativity
Orange: Excitement, thrill-seeker, confidence
Red: Passion, strength, determination
Meditation Technique Words
There are many terms used when talking about meditation, including:
Breath Control
In meditation, breath control is often referred to as breath work. It can involve a variety of breathing techniques, including deep breathing, pranayama, circular breathing and more.
Mala
A common term used in meditation refers to a string of 108 beads. These beads are used by Buddhist monks in meditation and chanting. A mantra is recited for each bead.
Feedback Method
A meditation method that uses light signals to help you stay focused and attentive.
Dharana
The practice of concentrating your mind on a single point and maintaining your concentration for as long as possible. Dharana can help improve your focus.
Trataka
A meditative practice known as “yogic gazing.” The practice involves focusing on an object and trying to visualize it with your eyes closed.
Laya Yoga
A meditation practice that aims to raise kundalini through chants, meditation, yoga asanas (postures) and pranayama (breath practices).
Lotus Position
The famous cross-legged position commonly seen in Hindu meditation practices.
Bhramari
A breathing meditation technique (pranayama) that involves restricting your breathing after partially covering your eyes, ears and nose with your fingers. Bhramari is a popular technique that is known for its healing effects.
The 639 Hz frequency is one of the Solfeggio frequencies that is believed to help create a positive shift in those who are listening to them. There are nine Solfeggio tones, and each one has a different effect and benefits. There are many 639 Hz frequency benefits, especially for those who are struggling to open their hearts.
The 639 hertz frequency is associated with one of the most important parts of life: love. But how does this tone affect the heart? What are the benefits of listening to meditation music at this frequency?
What Does 639 Hz Do?
The 639 frequency is associated with positive energy. It’s known as the frequency of the heart chakra, and it can help ease anxiety. It’s believed to vanquish negative feelings and help cultivate positive effects while helping fill the heart with love.
The 639 hertz frequency is commonly used during meditation practice to help ground, center, and return the mind to a place of loving-kindness.
Making this frequency a part of your meditation practice or sound healing therapy can help you cultivate love, compassion, and kindness in all of your relationships.
639 Hz is associated with love, communication and harmony
639 Hz Frequency Benefits
The 639 Hz Solfeggio frequency has many benefits and healing effects for the heart and the relationships in your life. Many people use it on their meditation journey to mend broken relationships, open their heart chakra and learn to be more compassionate.
Here are some of the many benefits of the 639 Hz frequency.
Promotes Harmony in Interpersonal Relationships
One of the greatest benefits of this sound frequency is its ability to help people cultivate harmony in interpersonal relationships.
Listening to this social frequency helps open the heart and allows individuals to build new relationships on a foundation of understanding and openness. Being open and understanding is crucial to having a healthy and happy relationship with anyone, including partners, friends and family.
It can also help you let go of negative feelings that affect your relationships, such as:
Jealousy
Resentment
Anger
These emotions are replaced with compassion, love and other positive feelings. When your heart is full of love and compassion, there is no room for negative emotions like jealousy and anger.
Feel More Connected to Nature and the Universe
Listening to 639 Hz frequency meditation music can help you reach that state where you feel more connected to nature and the universe.
By opening your heart and your heart chakra, you allow yourself to feel that connection with the environment and world around you. That connection is hard to make when your heart is closed.
Improves Communication, Tolerance and Love
The 639 Hz frequency has many effects on Heart Chakra, but it can also affect the Throat Chakra, which is associated with communication.
When you listen to this frequency, it promotes tolerance and love, but it also helps improve communication.
After all, communication is the key to healthy relationships. Learning how to communicate your emotions and needs is important, as is learning how to tell others how much they mean to you.
Listening to sounds at this frequency can help you improve communication in your relationships while also learning how to keep negative emotions at bay that can erode relationships from the inside out.
Helps Heal a Broken Heart
If you’re suffering from a broken heart and lost relationships, listening to the 639 hertz frequency can help you heal.
We have all been through breakups and damaged relationships with friends and family. These wounds can cut deeply, but it’s important to focus on healing and moving on. Listening to music at this frequency can help heal and open your heart so that you can have healthy and happy relationships in the future.
Balances and Opens the Heart Chakra
Many of us struggle to let others into our hearts. An imbalance of the heart chakra can lead to both physical and emotional distress.
There are many ways to open the heart chakra, but chakra meditation is very effective. Meditating while listening to music at this frequency can help open up this chakra and rebalance it.
Enjoy the benefits of 639 Hz
How to Get the Benefits of the 639 Frequency
Now that you understand the benefits of this Solfeggio frequency, you may be wondering how you can take advantage of 639 Hz frequency benefits.
First, find some music at this frequency that you enjoy. Here are some great options from YouTube:
Once you’ve found some music that you enjoy, you can begin. Make sure to set aside time for your practice so you won’t be disturbed while listening.
Choose a place that’s quiet and free from distractions.
Find a comfortable place to sit or lay down. There’s no right or wrong position. The key is to be comfortable and relaxed.
Begin listening to the 639 Hz music. Let it wash over you like a wave and keep your mind and heart open.
If you find your mind wandering, bring it back to the sound of the music.
Aim to listen for at least 15 minutes at a time.
Open Your Heart and Rebalance Your Emotions
The 639 hertz frequency can help rebalance your emotions, open your heart and allow you to feel more connected with the world around you. Making this music a part of your meditation practice can also help you become more compassionate and build healthier relationships.
There are more than a dozen types of meditations out there. While mindfulness tends to get all of the attention, chakra meditation can be especially therapeutic for those who want to work on specific issues. Often, when we struggle in certain areas of our lives, our mental and physical state is a reflection of an out-of-balance chakra.
But what exactly is chakra meditation? How does it work? Let’s explore!
What is Chakra Meditation?
Chakra meditation is a type of meditation that focuses on healing or balancing the chakras. It can be used to help improve your overall well-being, or it may be used to address specific issues in one or more of your chakras.
In Sanskrit, the word chakra means “wheel,” and it refers to the energy centers of the body. Each of these energy centers, or chakras, is located along the astral spine, running from the crown of the head to the base of the spine. There are seven in total.
Before diving into the practice of chakra meditation, it’s important to have a better understanding of the seven chakras.
What are the 7 Chakras?
There are seven chakras in total that run from the base of the skull all the way down the spine. Let’s look at each one, starting from the top.
1. Crown Chakra
The crown chakra, or Sahasrara Chakra, is at the top of the head. It represents liberation – complete freedom – and its associated color is violet.
The crown chakra is associated with thought, the connection with your spirit and universal consciousness.
An imbalance or blockage in this chakra can cause:
Physical imbalance and poor physical performance
Mental confusion
Lack of a connection to the world
Poor focus and mental functioning
Correcting the imbalance can help you not only feel better mentally and physically, but it can also help you better connect to higher consciousness.
2. Third Eye Chakra
The third eye chakra, or Ajna Chakra, has two opposing ends:
A negative end at the base of the skull, which represents the ego.
A positive end that sits just between the eyebrows, representing enlightenment.
As you may have guessed, the Anja Chakra is associated with higher knowledge and intuition.
When the third eye chakra becomes imbalanced or blocked, you may:
Feel like you’re lost or going adrift
Lose the connection to your inner wisdom
Have trouble seeing the bigger picture
Feel anxious, depressed or foggy
Some people may even experience physical symptoms, such as:
Headaches
Eye strain
Dizziness
Hearing issues
Clogged sinuses
Confusion
Nightmares or insomnia
Realigning the chakra can help bring clarity to your life and restore emotional balance.
3. Throat Chakra
The throat chakra, or Vishuddha Chakra, is associated with communication. Your throat chakra helps you communicate your truth and find your true voice.
When the throat chakra is imbalanced or blocked, you may feel:
Depressed or anxious
Have low self-esteem
Unable to express your feelings
Sometimes, an imbalance can have the opposite effect, where you:
Talk too much and without a clear purpose
Use inappropriate language
Say things you don’t mean
Talking over people and interrupting
Taking the time to rebalance your throat chakra can restore healthy communication, allowing yourself to be heard and for others to be heard as well.
4. Heart Chakra
The heart chakra, or Anahata Chakra, is associated with emotion and feeling. It is the center of your love for yourself and others, as well as empathy, compassion and forgiveness. The Anahata is often considered the bridge between the upper and lower chakras.
A blocked or imbalanced heart chakra can affect your entire being. It may manifest as:
Illness or disease
Poor circulation
Infection of the lungs
It can also impact your mental health, causing you to feel:
Jealous of others
Isolated and lonely
Overly defensive
Fear
Difficulty trusting others
Restoring balance and realigning the heart chakra can help you feel grounded, supported in love and connected to the world around you.
5. Solar Plexus Chakra
The solar plexus chakra, or Manipura Chakra, sits just behind the navel and is associated with either self-control or aggression. It is also associated with your self-esteem, a sense of purpose, metabolism, digestion and individual will.
Blockages and misalignments in the Manipura Chakra can manifest as:
Digestive issues
Ulcers
Disease and illness of the liver and pancreas
Difficulty with self-expression
Neediness
Short temper
Poor confidence
Fear
Lack of direction
Restoring balance to this chakra can help you feel more self-assured and connect you with your higher purpose.
6. Sacral Chakra
The sacral chakra, or Swadisthana Chakra, sits just an inch above the first chakra (root). It is associated with creativity and the cycles of life.
Balancing your sacral chakra can help you get more pleasure out of life and to feel in harmony with the world around you.
7. Root Chakra
The root chakra, or Muladhara Chakra, sits at the base of the spine and is associated with family, security and your feeling of home.
When the root chakra is out of alignment or blocked, it can cause:
Weight gain or loss
Pelvic pain
Constipation
Difficulty staying focused
Inability to take action
Anxiety, stress or depression
Exhaustion or fatigue
How Does Chakra Meditation Work?
When you practice chakra meditation, you focus on healing a blocked chakra or harnessing the power of whichever chakra you may need at the time.
Chakra meditation is very similar to any other type of meditation. However, your intention is to help heal or realign either all or one or more of your chakras.
Guided Chakra Meditation Practice
Not sure where to start with chakra meditation? We’ve rounded up some helpful YouTube videos to help you on your journey.
This 10-minute guided crown chakra meditation includes breathing exercises and will help you work on rebalancing this major chakra.
Third Eye Chakra Meditation
In this 10-minute guided meditation, you will work on connecting to your third eye and use powerful affirmations to strengthen it. This meditation is a great way to start the day, or you can use it just before a big event or decision that requires you to see clearly.
Throat Chakra Meditation
In this 10-minute throat chakra meditation, you will work on removing blockages from this key energy center. The meditation starts and ends with a focus on the breath to bring you into the present moment.
Heart Chakra Meditation
Here’s a beautiful 10-minute heart chakra meditation to help you realign this key chakra and feel more connected to everyone and everything around you.
A 10-minute guided meditation to help clear your sacral chakra and reconnect with your inner wisdom.
Root Chakra Meditation
A 10-minute guided meditation to help you reconnect with your roots and rebalance this chakra. Use this meditation when your root chakra needs balancing or you need to feel more grounded and at peace.
Chakra meditation can help you improve your sense of well-being and reconned with a higher consciousness. The guided meditations above are a great place to start on your chakra-healing journey.
