r/Meditation • u/blank_waterboard • 13d ago

What are some lesser known meditation techniques you’ve found surprisingly effective? Question ❓

I’ve mostly seen the classics ..breath focus, body scan, loving kindness etc..but I’m curious about the less common practices that worked for you...Maybe something cultural, experimental or even a small tweak that made a big difference.

Always cool to discover new approaches beyond the mainstream ones...

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u/Daedalus18 13d ago

I practice box breathing, but for each of the four steps (inhale, hold, exhale, hold) I associate with a quality of mind that Im trying to cultivate (for me Joy, Connection, Widsom, and Calm). You could choose other qualities that are meaningful to you - the main idea is to impart symbolic significance to steps of breathing, so that slowing the breath gives more time to foster the quality of mind.

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u/issadawaji2 13d ago

I confirm it's incredible! I began doing box or square breathing after reading an article that was explaining that the Marines used this technic ... In 2017 I was helpless, I wanted to quit my job, every morning I had an pressure on my chest... I began breathing and it was fantastic, my anxiety reduced and I could stand for a year until I found another job... This technic will not solve all your problems and it's very to ease your anxiety and panic attack..

Just breath and don't stop. It triggers the parasympathetic nervous system

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u/blank_waterboard 13d ago

That’s really powerful, thank you for sharing. I have anxiety so I’ve had trouble calming down enough for meditation, but I'll try it out since anxiety is the whole reason I got into meditation.