Ways to Calm Your Anxiety with Meditation During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Mindfulness practices go by many names and can be done sitting or walking, but all are focused on cultivating moment-to-moment awareness. Here are three common practices that you can start today:
1. Guided visualization. Guided visualization involves the meditator intentionally creating a mental image, typically one of a peaceful, beautiful place. Typically, the goal of a guided visualization is deep relaxation and stress reduction.
2. Mantra meditations. Mantra meditations involve continuous repetition of a word, phrase or sound, drawing spiritual power from the sound’s vibration, as well as its meaning. Many mantras are uttered in a tradition’s native language, such as shanti, meaning peace in Sanskrit. Some teachers prefer to use mantras in English that meditators can more easily grasp, such as, “Love is the way.”
3. Breathing meditation. Meditation experts say our ever-present breath is a sound foundation for a meditation practice, as well as an easy place to start.