It is very difficult to assign a certain technique of meditation to any practitioner. Different people use different techniques that they find are useful to them in some way or the other. In fact the goal is very simple and that is to concentrate the thought process in one direction and focus all the energy into the present thought. How this is achieved by different people is something that cannot be easily put into a capsulated form. However there have been identified certain broad methodologies based on the final outcome that is desired from any meditative practice. This seems to be a relevant method to analyse the results instead of the process itself so that certain broad guidelines can be given to the beginners and they can decide which methodology to adopt as per the requirement of the practitioner. The following categories of methods of meditations have been identified thus,

Concentration Techniques: This is a more pure form of meditation. In this technique the thoughts are controlled and made to concentrate in one place or object. The mind is consciously emptied of all irrelevant thoughts and the entire thought process is directed towards one focus. This is perhaps most difficult to do for most people. But with practice this is achievable. It is also required for completely making the mind still. This is really the process of creating a vacuum in thoughts and is very relaxing as the pattern of the brain waves get very coherent during this process and better results in physical and mental relaxation are achieved.

Goal Oriented Meditation: It is seen that most of the people who want to attempt practicing meditation do so with a certain reason. This is the easiest and most definite form of meditation where the thought process is channelized towards the attainment of a desired quality that is both positive and interesting to the practitioner. These desires can be different for different people. Some may want better self esteem. Some may want improvement in their life in some way or the other. Some may want to get rid of some bad habits. Some way want to be cured of some diseases. Some may simply want to forgive someone or forget some bad experiences. The list of desires is as endless as the number of humans on this planet.

This is a creative method of meditation where people can achieve all that they want to achieve. The possibilities are unlimited and as much as a person can think and desire he can achieve. This comes very close to something that is known as creative visualization and self hypnotics and self imagery in psychiatry. It has been in use in many ways. It is about emotionalizing the thought of desired result. In yoga this is a much undiluted form of exercise and it is used with the method of complete silencing of all other thought processes.

Insight Meditation: This is a methodology that is based on simple acceptance and not conflict. Through this process every attempt is made whereby the practitioner tries to accept his thoughts as they are. There is no conscious effort to negate any thoughts no matter what they are. The thoughts are allowed to come as they are. There is no effort to stop them. The final process involves analysis of the thoughts so that there is realization of the self and its contents. The person comes close to realizing what he really is and may be capable of. This is the reason why this methodology gives better results to people who have no prior formal education or inclination in the field of meditation. The Vippassana technique falls under this category. It has been successfully utilized in the Indian prison situations with great benefits.

This methodology emphasizes the fact that there is no judgement activity involved so the practitioner comes to believe that whatever be the outcome of the exercise he will not be asked to judge himself, neither will this be done by anyone else. This gives a unique insight to the person about his own actions. Yoga believes that every human being is a part of the divine. Most other religions also believe in this principle. Most people know when they have done something wrong. This is the voice of the divine that speaks to us in the form of human consciousness. It may have been killed for various reasons, but with practice it can be energized again. When the consciousness about the wrongs done develops the insight further teaches how to follow the path of the right.

Contemplation and Self-Research Method: This can also be called an extension to the insight meditation because the problems that appear in the process of insight meditation are dealt with while using this method. Without any external counselling it is given to the people to decide, and if they find it necessary, to make amends. Thinking about the wrong habits or actions initiates a process of self improvement. Therefore this methodology has also been used successfully in Indian prison situations to guide and counsel the prisoners with grave criminal records.

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