In general there are two basic and famous techniques of meditation in the world and they are: “CONCENTRATIVE MEDITATION” and “ZEN BASED MEDITATION”.

Concentrative meditation basically focuses on the breathing of a person. According to this technique breathing is directly proportional to one’s state of mind. An example of this is when we are frightened the first sign is the way we breath, it becomes rapid, and uneven. On the other hand when we are calm the breath is slow, deep and regular.
So, in this technique one need to sit quietly and focus the attention on the breath.
One of the famous Transcendental Meditation or yoga nidra falls under this technique only.

Zen Based Meditation helps in opening the attention of a person to become aware of the sensations and feelings, images, thoughts, sounds, smells without becoming involved in thinking about them. This technique helps in gaining a more calm, clear, and non-reactive state of mind.