Leland Shields

2800 E. Madison, Suite 206
Seattle, WA 98112
Phone: (206) 568-0062
Fax: (206) 325-0098

Email:

 

I am currently leading a

free, weekly meditation

group for cancer patients

and caregivers. The classes

are held at Gilda's Club.

For more information,

click here.

Meditation Styles to Fit All Temperaments

There are meditation techniques of numerous types from traditions around the world and from modern psychology. If you are looking for one, try those described in the readings linked below.

• Summary of types of meditation
• Audio files with sample guided meditations for you to try
• Readings about meditations from traditions around the world

Meditation styles may be separated into four types:

• those using the breath,
• mindfulness,
• visualization or guided imagery, and
• body and movement. 

(Click here for more about each of the four types)

Audio files with guided meditation exercises

In these audio files, I will talk you through a 5-10 minute meditation. If you're new to meditation you can get a sense of what it's about and if one of these styles seems right for you. Even for those familiar with meditation, it can be helpful to have someone's voice leading it during those times when emotions are intense or thoughts particularly intrusive.

• Mindfulness meditation - just listening (5 minutes)

• Breath-counting meditation (8 minutes)

Excerpts from written sources that introduce approaches to meditation:

• Western psychology (Click here - excerpt from Full Catastrophe Living, Jon Kabat-Zinn)
• Eastern meditation traditions
  • Zen tradition (Click here - excerpt from Taking the Path of Zen, Robert Aitken)
  • Local Buddhist meditation groups and their meetings are listed on the Northwest Dharma Association website. (Click here to visit the Northwest Dharma Association website) 
  • Yoga

  • Introduction and instructions on doing the Salute to the Sun series of postures (Click here - excerpt from The Runner's Yoga Book, Jean Couch)

  • Chanting of Aum (Om) (Click here - excerpt from The Power of Myth, Joseph Campbell). To see and hear Tibetan monks chant on YouTube, click here.

  • There are many opportunities for Yoga practice in Seattle; I'm sure many would serve you well. I am familiar with and have respect for some of the teachers at the one linked here. (Click here to visit the website of one local group)

  • T'ai Chi Chuan - As with Yoga, there are many opportunities for practice in Seattle. I am not familiar with the one linked here, but it was recommended to me. (Click here to visit the website of one local group)

• Christian traditions
  • Contemplative prayer (Click here - excerpt from Open Mind, Open Heart, Thomas Keating)
  • Prayerful living (Click here - excerpt from The Practice of the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence)
• Jewish traditions
  • Four Worlds Meditation (Click here - Stalking Elijah, Rodger Kamenetz
  • Meditation on the Sh'ma (Click here - "Life at It's Highest," Ted Falcon

If you haven't found a meditation style that works for you among those presented here, don't give up! There are many more.