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topic 29.4

Unit 29 :
Meditation

 Intermediate

Summary

To know the importance and types of meditation.

  • Brain Storm : Share your ideas with your teacher. Try to make sentences.

What comes into you mind when you hear the word ‘meditation’?

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Vocabulary

Repeat these words/ phrases after your teacher.

  • implode (v)
  • mantras (n)
  • ludicrous (adj)
  • reflect (v)
  • wander (v)
  • fixated (adj)
  • nirvana (n)
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Dialogue 1

Read the dialogue aloud with your teacher.

Jerry

Celia

Celia, this fast-paced job often makes me feel like I’m going to implode. How do you always remain so calm and handle everything with such poise?

 I also used to feel like you: anxious and always fixated on negative emotions, but then I discovered Transcendental Meditation.

Like chanting mantras and stuff? You really think that mumbo jumbo works?

TM is not mumbo jumbo, Ricardo. It’s been proven to promote a greater sense of calmness and mental clarity, reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure and even cortisol levels.

So I’ve heard. I’m just skeptical of how repeating the same thing over and over will help me attain nirvana. It seems kind of ludicrous to me.

Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. Besides, a mantra is just a part of TM. It also involves being still, taking deep, relaxing breaths, and observing your own thoughts.

So how does TM differ from other types of meditation then?

Well, some forms of meditation involve movements, whereas others focus on shutting out all thoughts completely.

So then which form of meditation is best for achieving inner peace?

Well, whether you’re practicing TM, Zen Buddhism, Yoga or mindfulness, they’re all beneficial in my book.

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Let’s practice

Choose the correct answer.

  1. To implode means

    a. to break up into pieces violently             b. to fall toward inside with force

2. To promote means

    a. to encourage the development of something          b.to grow

3. To be skeptical means

    a.doubting that something is true or useful            b. To draw something

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Article

Read the article with your teacher.

Which Type of Meditation Is Right for Me?

Meditation may be an ancient tradition, but it’s still practiced in cultures all over the world to create a sense of calm and inner harmony. 

Although the practice has ties to many different religious teachings, meditation is less about faith and more about altering consciousness, finding awareness, and achieving peace.These days, with the greater need to reduce stress in the midst of our busy schedules and demanding lives, meditation is increasing in popularity.

There are six popular types of meditation practice:

  1. Mindfulness Meditation – Mindfulness meditation originates from Buddhist teachings and is the most popular meditation technique in the West.In mindfulness meditation, you pay attention to your thoughts as they pass through your mind. You don’t judge the thoughts or become involved with them. You simply observe and take note of any patterns. This practice combines concentration with awareness. You may find it helpful to focus on an object or your breath while you observe any bodily sensations, thoughts, or feelings.
  2. Spiritual Meditation – Spiritual meditation is used in Eastern religions, such as Hinduism and Daoism, and in Christian faith. It’s similar to prayer in that you reflect on the silence around you and seek a deeper connection with your God or Universe.
  3. Focused Meditation– Focused meditation involves concentration using any of the five senses. For example, you can focus on something internal, like your breath, or you can bring in external influences to help focus your attention. Try counting mala beads, listening to a gong, or staring at a candle flame.
  4. Movement Meditation– Although most people think of yoga when they hear movement meditation, this practice may include walking through the woods, gardening, qigong, and other gentle forms of motion. It’s an active form of meditation where the movement guides you.Movement meditation is good for people who find peace in action and prefer to let their minds wander.
  5. Mantra Meditation -Mantra meditation is prominent in many teachings, including Hindu and Buddhist traditions. This type of meditation uses a repetitive sound to clear the mind. It can be a word, phrase, or sound, such as the popular “Om.”

    It doesn’t matter if your mantra is spoken loudly or quietly. After chanting the mantra for some time, you will be more alert and in tune with your environment. This allows you to experience deeper levels of awareness.Some people enjoy mantra meditation because they find it easier to focus on a word than on their breath. This is also a good practice for people who don’t like silence and enjoy repetition.

  6. Transcendental Meditation – Transcendental meditation is the most popular type of meditation around the world, and it’s the most scientifically studied. This practice is more customizable than mantra meditation, using a mantra or series of words that are specific to each practitioner.

https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/types-of-meditation#mantra-meditation

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Let’s Practice

Multiple Choice: Choose the correct answer.

  1. This type of meditation uses a repetitive sound to clear the mind.

    a. Mantra        b. Transcendental        c. Focused

  1. This type of meditation pays attention to your thoughts as they pass through your       mind. 

    a. Mantra        b. Mindfulness           c. Movement 

  1. This type of meditation is good for people who find peace in action and prefer to let their minds wander.

   a. Movement        b. Mantra           c. Transcendental

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Discussion：

Share your idea with your teacher. Try to make sentences.

  1. What do you think of people who meditate?
  2. What benefits do you think meditation brings?
  3. Would you like to go to meditation classes?