What type of meditation has nothing to do with religion (or buddhism)?

Question

I know about meditation but how can you meditate without it having to do with Buddhism or a religion? Just for your own well-being and relaxation.. how can you do meditation other than breathing mediation to achieve that?

Do analytical and placement meditation always have to do with buddhism/a religion? can you do placement meditation without doing analytical meditation?

Answer 1

at the end of a yoga class i really love the meditation where you focus not on your breathing exactly, but on relaxing individual parts of your body. Lie down on your back with your hands facing up and all of your limbs spread just a little so nothing is touching. Then start relaxing the top of your head, your forehead, your eyeballs, your eyelids, your nose, your cheeks, your toung, your chin, your neck, your shoulders, etc..... until you make it all the way down to your toes, then just breath and relax.

The whole thing, if you really take your time with it and focus, can seriously get your mind off of what's around you. And you aren't doing anything religious, but just getting in touch with your body.

A variation on this that does involve breathing, which I didn't immediately suggest cuz in your question it says no breathing meditiation, is if you relax each item according to your breath. If you imagine that with each breath in you have a light that starts at the top of your head and with each breath out you release the darkness inside and the light spreads to the next spot. I know it sounds a little cheesy but I promise it feels amazing.

warning: you may definately fall asleep after doing this, I do sometimes.

Luck

Answer 2

Secular meditation? Makes perfect sense to me. My mother meditates, and while she doesn't subscribe to a particular religion, I believe she's relied heavily on Buddhism to garner most of her information about how to do so. There's nothing wrong with using the meditation techniques of a particular religion while not in fact being OF that religion. Gather knowledge from anywhere you can, and keep your mind open! Labels are far less important than how you feel and what you do =)

Answer 3

Zen mediation is meditation without religion. Zen Buddhism is also not a religion as we think of one in the West.

Also keep in mind that mediation is clearing your mind of thought. So why does clearing your mind have to be connected with a religion or a philosophy?

The link below will explain all:

Answer 4

Probably the most neutral would be deep breathing and relaxation after a good bath and before you go to sleep. I do an exercise called "emptying the head" every night before bed, Once I've done my breathing exercises, I picture, with my eyes closed the top of my head opening up like a box and all the words and thoughts of the day just floating out. When its empty, I close it with graditude and enjoy the sound of silence until I fall asleep. Hope this helps!

Answer 5

meditation is indetachable from religion - meditation is a form of yoga, yoga is a Sanscrit word that means 'to join, or rejoin' religion is a latin word with the same meaning. in meditation we seek to join, or rejoin the soul, or the breath, with the universe, or god, I know it is a bit of a maze of languages, but it all comes down to the same thing. Maybe what you are seeking to understand is how to detach religion from the mess it has caused in the world, that is easy, forget about 'religions' and just sit, be peaceful and concentrate on your breathing, and become one. OK

Answer 6

You may be interested in trying the
"Who am I" enquiry taught by Sri Ramana Maharishi.
You can read about it in the book
"Be as You Are: The Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi"

Also, you may be interested in the teachings
of Nisargadatta Maharaj, which are somewhat
similar to Ramana's teachings.
You can read about it in the book "I Am That: Talks with Sri Nisargadatta"

Both of the above don't have the trappings of a
religion. There are no breathing exercises
and no rituals, just experiencing the reality
by engaging in self enquiry.

Answer 7

meditation has much more to do with spirituality then it does with religion. you can do many, many different types of meditaion without even looking to connect to the divine. you can go on meditations that are lead by one who guides you through past lives or out of body experiences. you can imagine your worries being pushed through your feet by a white light from above your head entering your head and pushing downward, forcing negativity out. read up on meditation, you can surely find many things online. there are also cds. go to a metaphysical store in your area, they can help you.

Answer 8

Bio-Feedback. This is when you totally relax and clear you're mind of problems and focus on total relaxation. Your heart rate will drop and your body temp will rise. This method of meditation has nothing to do with religion.

Answer 9

Obviously your confused. Meditation is an exercise for the mental & spiritual wellbeing. Has nothing to do w/ religion, other than the level headed ones do it regularly!

Answer 10

Buddhists dont mind you meditating.

Just focus on something, and relax. Breathe.

When you're ready to come back, check out http://www.sgi-usa.org for the Buddhist version.