Dhyana: Meditation Techniques
Meditation for different learning styles
Teacher Experience
A contemplative invitation for educators to reflect on before teaching.Practice a simple form of meditation, ideally on a daily basis, for however much time feels comfortable. If you have a practice already, return to a simple form that you might share with your students. If you have little experience, try a 3-minute breathing practice: simply notice your breath without changing it. Remember that getting used to the practice of meditation takes time, and our ideas about what it is and how it works will change over time. Aspire to have humility no matter how advanced your practice—meditation can be a profound tool on the path of wisdom, and it’s best if each student finds their own affinity by being introduced to it gradually over time in an open, relaxed and pressure-free environment.
Student Experience
A contemplative invitation for students to connect with this learning goal.Practice at least three different meditation techniques (such as breath awareness, walking meditation, and loving-kindness) and notice how each one affects your awareness and state of mind differently.
Understanding
Students will understand...Meditation techniques can be learned and practiced in many different ways. Each technique helps train the mind differently, and understanding various approaches helps us find what works best for ourselves and others.
Action
Students are able to...Practice diverse meditation techniques using multiple learning modalities (visual focus, kinesthetic movement, auditory guidance, reflective contemplation); demonstrate leadership in guiding others through basic practices; and create meditation approaches that accommodate different learning styles and developmental needs.
Content Knowledge
Students will know...Buddhist meditation encompasses diverse techniques that can be categorized as shamatha (concentration) and vipassana (insight) practices. Shamatha develops mental stability through sustained attention on objects like breath, while vipassana cultivates understanding of impermanence, interdependence, and the nature of mind through direct observation.
Walking meditation brings mindfulness to movement, loving-kindness meditation cultivates compassion, and contemplative arts integrate creativity with awareness. Each technique addresses different mental states and serves various temperaments and learning preferences.
The seven-point posture establishes a proper physical foundation for practice, while ritual elements, such as bell sounds, intention setting, and respectful conduct, create supportive containers that enhance individual focus and group harmony. Understanding how different approaches serve different needs helps practitioners select the most suitable methods.
Guiding Questions
Implementation Possibilities
Practice shamatha meditation using various focus objects, including breath, visual anchors, and sounds, to discover personal preferences. Explore walking meditation both indoors and outdoors while maintaining mindful awareness of movement and surroundings. Learn loving-kindness meditation by systematically extending goodwill to self, friends, neutral people, and difficult relationships. Practice leading brief guided meditations for classmates using clear instructions and appropriate pacing. Create meditation spaces using ritual elements like bells, candles, or natural objects to enhance focus and reverence. Design meditation sessions that incorporate movement, stillness, and reflection to serve different learning needs and energy levels.
Assessment Ideas
Weekly meditation practice reports documenting technique exploration and personal insights. Lead a guided meditation session demonstrating competency in instruction and group facilitation.
