| A meditation technique where one focuses on the field | | | | able to know the whole self as a constitution of all the |
| or background and embrace all the perception around | | | | other elements. |
| that field is called Mindfulness Meditation. It is in contrast | | | | Instead of being distracted, the meditator should |
| to another meditation technique called concentration | | | | acknowledge the existence of things beyond the self |
| meditation, where one channels all the energy and | | | | and incorporate it in harmony with the awareness of |
| focus on one specific object or subject, blocking all | | | | existence at that particular time and space to get a |
| distractions around. | | | | holistic perception of self. |
| In mindfulness meditation, the meditator is trained to | | | | Mindfulness meditation has a similar concept in the |
| have an open focus of all the inter-related senses | | | | religion Buddhism, which also gives high importance on |
| coming from the immediate environment while | | | | the practice of meditation to achieve self awareness |
| concentrating on a unifying object or a foundation from | | | | and clarity of the mind. This is the Buddhism meditation |
| which to channel all the other senses that is being | | | | technique called Vippasana, which advocates for |
| absorbed or experienced. | | | | various mind practices for the purpose of developing |
| For instance, a person using mindfulness meditation | | | | insights and general wisdom by seeing the true nature |
| can focus on his or her breathing, while at the same | | | | of the self along with the true nature of the |
| time incorporating other senses around him or her, like | | | | surrounding realities. This is in contrast to the technique |
| the sound of leaves on swaying tree branches nearby, | | | | Shamatha, which develops one’s ability to focus |
| a faint music playing, or the perception of movements | | | | the attention on a single point, unobstructed other |
| from other people from a distance. The meditator | | | | realities beyond that point. This is the counterpart of |
| incorporates his or her breathing in harmony with these | | | | concentration meditation. |
| surrounding senses. | | | | In the western forms of meditation, there are |
| In concentration meditation, the meditator holds | | | | concentration techniques devoid of any mystical or |
| attention on a single specific focus of thought, which | | | | rigid religious beliefs. Still, mindfulness meditation finds it |
| could be a prayer bead, or a thought-based anchor for | | | | way in many of the modern schools of meditation, |
| concentration like a mantra or repetitive prayer. | | | | particularly in yoga, which promotes peace of mind by |
| There is no argument on which of the techniques is | | | | suspending realities filled with worries and fears, |
| better. Those who have developed a higher level of | | | | cleansing the mental state by invigorating mental |
| concentration also shift easily between mindfulness | | | | relaxations and absorbing fresh perceptions like mind |
| meditation to concentration meditation or vice versa in | | | | control, free will, and the presence of guidance and |
| a single meditative session. | | | | protection from a higher source. |
| While concentration meditation trains the mind to | | | | Absorbing these positive states of mind requires |
| withdraw all attachment beyond the self to develop full | | | | mindfulness meditation, as it recognizes surrounding |
| self-awareness, mindfulness meditation encourages | | | | elements that are helpful in developing a healthier and |
| the mind to recognize elements beyond the self to be | | | | renewed perception of the self. |