The Growing Archive of Forgotten Mental Techniques

The Growing Archive of Forgotten Mental Techniques

Where it came from: Historical fragments, named techniques (no instructions)

This is a living document. It grows by small fragments and never feels complete.

Ānāpānasati

Ānāpānasati refers to the Pali term for mindfulness of breathing, a foundational technique preserved in early Buddhist texts.

It is generally associated with where it came from practices.

The precise boundaries remain under investigation.

See also: breath-counting · focused-absorption

Kasina Practice

Kasina practice refers to concentration techniques using external objects such as colored discs, flames, or water as focal points.

It is generally associated with where it came from practices.

The precise boundaries remain under investigation.

See also: breath-counting · focused-absorption

Hesychasm

Hesychasm refers to the Eastern Orthodox contemplative tradition emphasizing inner stillness and the Jesus Prayer.

It is generally associated with where it came from practices.

The precise boundaries remain under investigation.

See also: breath-counting · focused-absorption

Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina refers to a Benedictine practice of sacred reading involving lectio, meditatio, oratio, and contemplatio.

It is generally associated with where it came from practices.

The precise boundaries remain under investigation.

See also: breath-counting · focused-absorption

Dhikr

Dhikr refers to the Sufi practice of divine remembrance through rhythmic repetition of sacred names or phrases.

It is generally associated with where it came from practices.

The precise boundaries remain under investigation.

See also: breath-counting · focused-absorption

Muraqaba

Muraqaba refers to the Sufi practice of watchfulness and heart-centered meditation.

It is generally associated with where it came from practices.

The precise boundaries remain under investigation.

See also: breath-counting · focused-absorption · meditation-experience

Tonglen

Tonglen refers to the Tibetan exchange practice of breathing in suffering, breathing out compassion.

It is generally associated with where it came from practices.

The precise boundaries remain under investigation.

See also: breath-counting · focused-absorption · meditation-experience

Theoria

Theoria refers to the Greek contemplative tradition of direct spiritual vision preserved in Patristic sources.

It is generally associated with where it came from practices.

The precise boundaries remain under investigation.

See also: breath-counting · focused-absorption · meditation-experience

Cloud of Unknowing

Cloud of Unknowing refers to the 14th-century English approach to unknowing as contemplative method.

It is generally associated with where it came from practices.

The precise boundaries remain under investigation.

See also: breath-counting · focused-absorption · meditation-experience

Via Negativa

Via Negativa refers to the apophatic approach of knowing God through negation.

It is generally associated with where it came from practices.

The precise boundaries remain under investigation.

See also: breath-counting · focused-absorption · meditation-experience