This glossary provides foundational terms for deepening your understanding of meditation and spiritual practice.
Anapanasati – A meditation practice focusing on mindfulness of breathing.
Asana – A seated posture used in meditation, often from yoga traditions.
Bodhi – The state of awakening or enlightenment in Buddhism.
Chakras – Energy centers in the body, commonly referenced in yoga and meditation.
Dhyana – A Sanskrit term for deep meditative absorption.
Enlightenment – A state of spiritual awakening and liberation from suffering.
Focused Attention Meditation (FAM) – A meditation technique that involves focusing on a single object, such as breath or a mantra.
Jhana – Deep states of meditative absorption in Buddhist practice.
Karma – The concept that actions have corresponding effects on future experiences.
Koan – A paradoxical question or statement used in Zen meditation to transcend rational thought.
Loving-Kindness Meditation (Metta) – A practice of cultivating compassion and goodwill toward oneself and others.
Mantra – A sacred word or phrase repeated during meditation to aid concentration.
Mandala – A geometric spiritual symbol used as a meditation aid.
Mindfulness – The practice of maintaining awareness of the present moment without judgment.
Mudra – Hand gestures used in meditation to influence energy flow.
Nirvana – The ultimate state of liberation from suffering in Buddhist philosophy.
Non-Attachment – Letting go of desires and clinging to outcomes.
Pranayama – Breathing exercises used in yoga and meditation to control life energy.
Qi (Chi) – Vital life energy in traditional Chinese and Daoist meditation practices.
Samadhi – A deep meditative state of stillness and absorption.
Samsara – The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Buddhist and Hindu thought.
Satsang – A spiritual gathering for discussion and meditation.
Shamatha – A Buddhist meditation practice focused on calming the mind.
Siddhi – Spiritual or psychic abilities said to arise from deep meditation.
Silent Meditation – A practice where no guided words or sounds are used, emphasizing internal awareness.
Tantra – A spiritual tradition that integrates meditation, rituals, and energy work.
Tummo – A Tibetan Buddhist practice of generating inner heat through meditation.
Vipassana – An insight meditation practice aimed at seeing reality as it is.
Visualization – A meditation technique that involves mentally picturing images or scenes to focus the mind.
Zen – A school of Buddhism emphasizing direct experience, meditation, and simplicity.
Ajna – The third eye chakra, associated with intuition and spiritual insight.
Bhavana – A Pali term meaning 'development' or 'cultivation' in meditation.
Binaural Beats – A sound-based meditation technique using specific frequencies to enhance focus and relaxation.
Bodhisattva – A being who seeks enlightenment not just for oneself but for all beings.
Citta – The mind or consciousness in Buddhist psychology.
Dharana – The practice of concentration, leading to meditation.
Dzogchen – A Tibetan meditation practice emphasizing natural awareness.
Equanimity – A state of mental calmness and balance, cultivated in meditation.
Gassho – A gesture of prayer or gratitude often used in Zen meditation.
Kensho – A sudden insight or awakening in Zen Buddhism.
Kriya Yoga – A form of yogic meditation involving breath control and energy movement.
Laya Yoga – A meditative practice focusing on dissolving the mind into the divine.
Mahasati – A form of mindfulness meditation developed in Thailand.
Moksha – Liberation from the cycle of birth and death in Hindu and Buddhist traditions.
Nada Yoga – A meditation technique using sound vibrations to reach higher states of consciousness.
Neigong – An internal martial art focusing on meditation and energy cultivation.
Om – A sacred sound and mantra used in meditation.
Retreat – A period of intensive meditation practice, often in a secluded setting.
Self-Inquiry – A meditation method used in Advaita Vedanta to discover one's true self.
Trataka – A concentration technique involving gazing at a fixed object, such as a candle flame.
