Types of Meditation | Mindfulness, Guided, Transcendental & More

Meditation Types: Find Your Style

Different types of meditation emphasise different skills—some focus on breath and presence, others on mantra, compassion, or energy. Choosing the right meditation style helps you enjoy the practice and reach your goals.

Each style page covers what it is, who it’s for, benefits, difficulty, and links to meditation by goal. Book a class for guided support. Start with Mindfulness or Guided if you’re new; see how to meditate for basics.

How to Choose a Meditation Type

With six styles and dozens of sub-variants, it can feel overwhelming to pick one. Three questions narrow it down:

1. What is your main goal?

• Stress or anxiety: Mindfulness, Guided, or Loving-kindness tend to be most effective.
• Focus and clarity: Mindfulness or Zen build sustained attention.
• Deep rest and simplicity: Transcendental is well-researched for the relaxation response.
• Spiritual or energy work: Kundalini or Chakra.
• Emotional healing or compassion: Loving-kindness.

2. Are you a beginner? If yes, start with Mindfulness or Guided — both have clear structure, are easy to practise at home with minimal instruction, and give you immediate feedback. Transcendental and Zen are more technique-specific and benefit from teacher guidance to learn correctly.

3. How much time do you have? Mindfulness and Guided work well in sessions as short as 5–10 minutes. Transcendental is traditionally practised twice daily for about 20 minutes each. Zen and Loving-kindness can range from 10 minutes to an hour.

Mixing Styles

Many experienced practitioners use more than one style. A practical combination: Mindfulness for daily habit (5–10 minutes morning), Loving-kindness when feeling disconnected or frustrated, and Guided when tired and needing more structure. Mix based on what the day asks for rather than forcing one approach into every session.

What If a Style Is Not Working?

If a style feels wrong — too structured, too loose, too restless — switch. There is no single “correct” type. The best meditation style is the one you will actually practise consistently. Give each style at least three sessions before judging; early practice can feel awkward because the technique is new, not because it does not suit you.

For personalised guidance on which type to start with, book a meditation class in Bengaluru or online. Return to the meditation guide or meditation by goal for more context.