Analytical Meditation and Stabilizing Meditation

There are two broad categories of meditation: stabilizing meditation and analytical meditation, each of which consist of many methods.
Stabilizing meditations are basically concentration exercise designed to settle the mind into a period of uninterrupted focus on a single point- this is a exact opposite of our usual state of mind, which is forever distracted. Practicing mindfulness and concentrating on the breath, both described earlier, are example of this. Concentrating on a visualized image, a concept, or a mantra are other examples of stabilizing meditation..

Analytical meditations, on the other hand, involve periods and you consciously draw your mind to reflect upon and analyze a particular concept such as ‘emptiness’ ‘attachment’ or the nature of mind itself. The purpose of analytical meditation method is to gain conceptual understanding of how things are, to a depth that gives you enough clarity to convince you of the true nature of that concept. The process initially involves identifying wrong conceptions. For example, if you are exploring compassion, you would aim to arrive at some insight about compassion by first eliminating your misconceptions about compassion. Analytical meditation is therefore an intensive period of inward study. As such, analytical meditation is sometimes called ‘contemplation’.

Stabilizing and analytical meditation are usually combined within a single meditation session. For example, as you prepare to meditate on your breathing rhythm, as in
‘anapana’ (a stabilizing meditation) , it is helpful to spend a few minutes clarifying your state of which involves analytical thought. During both analytical meditations and stabilizing meditations , your mind will frequently wander, constantly causing you to bring your mind. At times it may be difficult to do this, at which point a return to a period of analyzing your state of mind will help.

During a session of analytical meditation, when you reach the point of intellectual understanding, is it then appropriate to let go of the thought process and focus your attention solely on associated feelings that arise. You will then arrive at a combined intellectual and experiential insight, causing your mind to become ‘one’ with the object of your meditation. This is unlikely to happen the first time you try it but, with repetition, sooner or later it will.

Your level of success will depend upon your depth of concentration, which will improve through regular practice. Regularity is actually more important than quantity, because your mind is strongly influenced by habitual patterns. If you do it regularly, your mind will come to expect it. This is how both good and bad habits are formed. So how long should a meditation session last? Start with five or ten minutes and build up to thirty minutes, ending your session before fatigue, aching knees and bottoms, and boredom set in. Do not push yourself too hard because as soon as it becomes a burden you won’t do it. One some days you will experience more distractions and discomforts, while an other days you will serene and focused. This is normal. View the troublesome sessions as opportunities to explore and grow. Also, you may often believe of you are making no progress, but think long-term. Result take time.