Water meditation involves focusing on water through visualization or actual water. It can be done with sound, such as recordings or natural water sources. Water meditation is accessible to beginners and has similar benefits to other meditation techniques, including stress relief and improved focus.
Simply put, water meditation is any meditation technique that focuses on water. It need not involve physical water but could instead involve water visualization. There are many types of water meditation, and most share the same goals: to clear the mind, achieve relaxation, and cultivate feelings of peace and tranquility.
The most widely practiced forms do not involve actual water. Common forms involve viewing water, usually while lying down in a comfortable position in a quiet, distraction-free room. The practitioner might imagine that they are floating in a vast expanse of soothing water or that cool water flows over their body and cleanses it of impurities. Along with this visual, the meditator could imagine the pleasant sensations of water flowing over his body. By visualizing in this way, the mind becomes freer from scattered thoughts and a deep feeling of relaxation can be achieved.
Meditators also have the ability to integrate sounds during meditation. Including sound can be as simple as playing a recording of water meditation. There are many water recordings designed specifically for meditation. You can choose from ocean waves, rivers, rain and other water sounds. Going outside and meditating near a waterfall or sitting near a Zen water fountain or garden installation are other ways to bring the experience of sound into your meditation.
Some types of water meditation actually involve water. Practitioners could float on their backs in bathtubs, lakes, or pools, or could perform slow movements in the water. Some spas and resorts offer guided water meditations.
Water meditation tends to be one of the most accessible types of meditation for beginners because water is universal. All people need it to live, regardless of their religious beliefs, gender or nationality. In all cultures, water plays an important role and often forms an integral part of spiritual practices. Also, since water makes up a large percentage of the human body, some meditators aim to gain a better understanding of their body through the practice of water meditation.
The benefits of water meditation overlap with the benefits of many other meditation techniques. Meditation has been shown to relieve stress, mild depression and anxiety. Many people who meditate also report improved mental focus and general feelings of well-being. Aerobic benefits can also be obtained in moving water meditations. If you walk to a peaceful meditation site such as a waterfall, a potential side benefit is the exercise gained while reaching your destination.
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