Can you practice different forms of meditation together?

In contemplative traditions, you’ll find many examples where different forms of meditative practices are used together. For instance, in Buddhism mantra meditation, mindfulness meditation, visualisation meditation etc. are all used. This is also true within backspace the Roman Catholic tradition where they use mantra meditation (example the Rosary), mindfulness meditation in the form of contemplative prayer, and visualisation imagination prayer an example that used in the Ignatian tradition.

Remember that at the basic meditation is using an anchor of attention as a point to return to when the mind wanders. All the above forms of meditation use different types of anchors of attention to return to when the mind wanders.

Remember, it’s not a question of what meditation practice or anchors of attention you use. It’s about finding what best works for you to calm the mind. So if you find benefit from practising different forms of meditation together beneficial for you as they help you remain grounded in the present moment during your daily life. Then that’s okay as that is one of the purposes of most forms of meditation.

References

Finding a suitable anchor of attention in meditation

Constructive meditation practices: The fascinating cognitive processes at work (part two)

Deconstructive meditation practices: The fascinating cognitive processes at work (part three)

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