"All techniques and methods of inner development have a common goal. They all aim towards freedom and enlightenment"- Remez Sasson

Meditation is a state of intense awareness, achieved by concentrating the thought and calming the mind. Meditation is as if a journey to the centre of one`s own being; a voyage towards inward. Meditation is a process which is so very natural that one does not have to learn how to meditate, only need to know the meditation techniques to feel the inner self.

There are a number of effective meditation techniques. Different cultures and schools have different meditation techniques although meditation is universal. The different techniques of meditation suit different personality types. While some techniques are concentrative which involves focusing, other techniques are expansive which allows free flow of thoughts and the observation. There are about hundred and eight techniques of meditation, amongst which only a few are very popular and well practiced. However, the different techniques of meditation should be learnt under the guidance of a Guru.

Some of the meditation techniques are as follows:
Basic Meditation Techniques:
Basic meditation technique demands sitting in a comfortable position whilst trying to calm and regulate the mind by thinking of nothing. The meditator here becomes the observer of his thought. The idea is to just simply notice what the voice inside the mind, the narrative voice says without thinking about it. Basic meditation technique is to let the thought go out of the mind whenever it materializes in the mind.

Focused Meditation Techniques:
With this meditation technique, one focuses on something intently, without engaging one`s thought about it. In focused meditation the meditator concentrates either on something visual like a statue or an idol or concentrates on something auditory, like the sound of the metronome or the tape of ocean waves. In focused meditation techniques often the focus is shifted to even one`s own breathing sound. Some find this focused meditation technique easier than the basic meditation technique as people find it is easier to focus on something.

Activity-Oriented Meditation Techniques:
With this type of meditation technique one engage in a repetitive activity. For the greater interest to get into the zone and indeed to experience the flow, the activity oriented meditation technique is observed. Activities like creative artwork; gardening and practicing yoga asanas especially for calming the mind all contours the effective form of activity oriented meditation techniques.

Mindfulness Techniques:
Mindfulness can also be a form of meditation technique. Mindfulness meditation technique is a unique way to tame the mind. It is the process of staying in the present moment rather than thinking about the future or the past. The idea is therefore to stay "In the Now" and therefore focusing on sensations is indeed necessary. While focusing on the sensation one feels in his body is one way to stay `in the now;` position, focusing on emotions where the emotions are rightly felt on the pulse is certainly another way to experience the vision turning inside.

Spiritual Meditating:
Spiritual meditating is another meditation technique. Many people experience meditation as a form of prayer -- the form where God `speaks". The meditator then experience guidance or inner wisdom with a quiet mind and unruffled spirit.

Meditation techniques are numerous but are indeed essential tactics to meditate in a proper way. Each book on meditation, every Guru of meditation has their own techniques however the idea for all the meditation technique is always same which is to calm the mind whilst journeying inward. The idea is to stay in the present moment whilst eluding the constant stream of commentary from the conscious mind and allowing the self to slop into an altered state of consciousness.