Hey! So you want to start meditating? I know how overwhelming it can be when choosing a way to meditate.
As a person who has studied multiple relaxation and reflection practices, I’ve tried a handful of meditation techniques to make choosing your meditation technique easier!
Here’s a quiz I created to help you determine which meditation technique might align with your personality and preferences:
Meditation Technique Personality Quiz
- When you think about meditation, what do you find most appealing?
- a) Focusing on the present moment and self-awareness.
- b) Silently repeating a mantra for deep relaxation.
- c) Creating feelings of love and compassion for yourself and others.
- d) Practicing proper posture and breath awareness for insights and enlightenment.
- e) Being guided through a meditation by a teacher or recorded voice.
- f) Balancing and cleansing your body’s energy centers (chakras).
- g) Scanning your body for physical sensations and relaxation.
- How do you typically approach challenges or stress in your life?
- a) By observing and analyzing the situation.
- b) Seeking relaxation and calmness.
- c) With a desire to spread love and positivity.
- d) Through focused discipline and self-awareness.
- e) By seeking external guidance and support.
- f) With an interest in holistic well-being.
- g) By paying attention to your body and physical sensations.
- What do you hope to achieve through meditation?
- a) Increased self-awareness and stress reduction.
- b) Deep relaxation and mental clarity.
- c) Enhanced love, compassion, and well-being.
- d) Spiritual insight and enlightenment.
- e) Personal growth and guidance.
- f) Balance and alignment of your energy centers.
- g) Physical and mental relaxation.
- Which aspect of meditation is most appealing to you?
- a) Mindfulness and self-reflection.
- b) Silent mantras and inner peace.
- c) Spreading love and kindness.
- d) Discipline and spiritual growth.
- e) Guided meditation and personal development.
- f) Balancing energy and well-being.
- g) Body awareness and relaxation.
- When you think about sitting down to meditate, which approach feels most comfortable?
- a) Observing your thoughts and sensations without judgment.
- b) Silently repeating a specific word or phrase.
- c) Focusing on positive affirmations and well-wishing.
- d) Maintaining a specific posture with breath awareness.
- e) Having a guide lead you through the practice.
- f) Concentrating on the body’s energy centers.
- g) Scanning your body from head to toe.
Now, let’s calculate your results:
- Mostly a’s: Mindfulness Meditation (Vipassana)
- Mostly b’s: Transcendental Meditation (TM)
- Mostly c’s: Loving-Kindness Meditation (Metta)
- Mostly d’s: Zazen (Zen Meditation)
- Mostly e’s: Guided Meditation
- Mostly f’s: Chakra Meditation
- Mostly g’s: Body Scan Meditation
Your result will indicate which meditation technique aligns most with your personality and preferences. Remember that meditation is a personal practice, and you can try various techniques to see which one resonates with you the most.
Not sure what these meditation techniques are? Check out their definitions paired with examples below!
Mindfulness Meditation (Vipassana)
Mindfulness meditation involves paying close attention to one’s thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations to gain insight into the nature of the mind and promote self-awareness and presence.
Example: Focusing on your breath and observing your thoughts without attachment or judgment.
Check out a simple way to meditate.
Transcendental Meditation (TM)
Transcendental meditation is a form of mantra meditation where a specific, personal mantra is repeated silently to create a state of deep relaxation and transcendence.
Example: Repeating a chosen mantra to achieve a deep, peaceful state of mind.
Loving-Kindness Meditation (Metta)
Loving-kindness meditation is a practice that cultivates feelings of love, compassion, and goodwill towards yourself and people around you, centering around empathy and connection.
Example: Repeating phrases like “May I be happy, may I be healthy, may I be safe, may I live with ease” while generating feelings of love.
Zazen (Zen Meditation)
Zazen is a form of seated meditation in Zen Buddhism, that focuses on the breath, posture, and observing thoughts and sensations without attachment, aiming for enlightenment and clarity of mind.
Example: Sitting in a specific posture, focusing on the breath, and letting go of thoughts as they come.
Guided Meditation
Guided meditation is a practice where a teacher or recording leads participants through a structured meditation, often involving visualization, relaxation, or specific goals, such as stress reduction or personal development.
Example: Listening to a recording that instructs you to imagine a peaceful beach scene and relax your body.
Chakra Meditation
Chakra meditation is a practice that focuses on aligning and balancing the body’s energy centers (chakras) by visualizing and working with each chakra to promote physical and emotional well-being.
Example: Visualizing and sending healing energy to the seven chakras starting from the root chakra at the base of the spine to the crown chakra at the top of the head.
Body Scan Meditation
Body scan meditation involves systematically directing attention through different parts of the body, usually starting from the toes and moving up to the head, to increase body awareness, relaxation, and release tension.
Example: Mentally scanning your body, noting any sensations, tensions, or areas of discomfort, and consciously releasing them as you move up through your body.
If you enjoyed learning about these several meditation practices, go ahead and check out the wellness glossary for more terms that may benefit you! Best of luck on relaxing!
