Planetary Meditation refers to the articulation of root sounds (in ancient Sanskrit), executed and reiterated in a specified manner. Each sound corresponds to a distinct planet, aligning this technique with Jyotish. Vedic wisdom posits that the world emanates from sound, with everything in existence expressible through vibration. Modern science mirrors this notion by describing a "unified field" of vibration. These sounds possess healing properties, with their principal function being the restoration of balance.

Creative Visualization entails imaginative projection, often facilitated by soothing music. This method nurtures creativity, ingenuity, constructive capacity, and enhanced memory retention. It diverges from meditation.

Chanting involves continuous repetition of a particular word or phrase, typically done 108 or 1008 times, ranging from once to several times daily. Such repetition may induce a trance-like state. Given the active engagement of the spirit it necessitates, it's distinguished from meditation.

Contemplation denotes a process of deliberate reflection on a specific topic, idea, or query. In practicing contemplation, an individual may pose a certain question or topic, then delve deeply into thought in a tranquil setting, often with eyes closed, to arrive at insights or comprehension. This practice engages the mind in active awareness, exploration, and reflection.

Contrarily, meditation aims to diminish mental activity, achieving a calm or detached awareness, while contemplation entails active, conscious thinking and analysis.

Both contemplation and meditation, despite their different aims, serve as valuable tools for personal and spiritual growth. Meditation fosters deeper awareness and inner tranquility, whereas contemplation promotes introspection, understanding, and critical thinking. Various spiritual or philosophical traditions often employ both practices in tandem to explore inner and outer realities.

Concentration signifies the practice of directing attention toward a specific object or experience, like body parts, a candle, a particular point, the universe, chakras, or akin. The objective is to hone a sharp, unbroken awareness of the chosen focus, training the mind to remain serene, focused, and undistracted.

It's vital to note that while concentration is a crucial aspect of meditation practice, it doesn't equate to meditation. Concentration demands active mental control, while meditation leans towards relaxation, acceptance, and non-judgmental awareness.

Autogenic Training, to an extent, melds concentration (focusing on body parts) and contemplation (considering certain suggestions), diverging from meditation. Rooted in self-hypnosis, it employs suggestions to attain deep relaxation, aiming for a sense of heaviness and warmth in various body parts through mental exercises and formula repetition. This practice encompasses six standard exercises designed to control breathing, pulse, and body temperature for stress reduction and general well-being.

Hypnosis, a state of narrowed consciousness receptive to suggestions, transitions the brain from alpha to theta waves while relaxed. During hypnosis, only muscular alterations occur without metabolic change, contrasting with silent meditation which significantly alters metabolism, achieving an "awake hypometabolic state," offering a distinct experience.

Bioenergy & Healing, involving energy channeling or transference, deviates from meditation. Meditation, a deep restorative state, revives "inner intelligence" to alleviate stress, invigorate the immune system, and promote health stabilization through the removal of accumulated fatigue—validated by numerous scientific studies. Healing differs by engaging with "cosmic energies." There's a potential downside as individuals may transfer personal energy to clients alongside cosmic energy. Either way, meditation doesn't intertwine with healing or energy exchange.

Prayer, an active spiritual endeavor, entails reaching out to the divine with requests or gratitude. If it involves repeating phrases or words, it can resemble mantra chanting, thus having a relaxing effect. While prayer may emanate "from the heart to God," it never equates to meditation.

Breathing exercises, known as pranayama within the realm of yoga, are often conducted prior to meditation, though they aren’t regarded as a part of the meditation process. Pranayama contributes to the harmonization of blood circulation and nerve currents across various body parts. Through controlled movements, and a cycle of squeezing and relaxing, the diaphragm and abdominal muscles are adequately exercised. Furthermore, essential organs and systems such as the heart, lungs, digestive organs (including the stomach and liver), kidneys, endocrine system, and nervous structures like the brain, spinal cord, spinal nerves, and sympathetic nerves are all tenderly massaged and revitalized through these exercises.

Yoga bears a profound connection to meditation and is recognized as an ancient science of holistic living. The term "yoga" embodies the essence of unity. It is delineated into eight limbs, known as Astanga, which encompass:

-Yama: This limb sets forth fundamental rules for righteous conduct, encompassing principles like ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truthfulness), asteya (honesty), brahmacharya (sensory control), and apigraha (detachment).

-Niyama: Niyama outlines more personal principles that dovetail with Yama.

-Asana: This limb represents body postures – often what comes to mind for many when yoga is mentioned. Asanas depict the body's state and underscore the synergy between the mind and body.

-Pranayama: As mentioned earlier, Pranayama entails breathing exercises that may interact differently with various body positions.

-Pratyahara: This limb is about retracting the senses inward, where senses are tethered not to the object of observation but to the subject.

-Dharana: Dharana symbolizes focus or concentration.

-Dhyana: This limb embodies the seamless flow of mind and thoughts, encapsulating contemplation.

-Samadhi: Samadhi refers to a state of pure and undisturbed consciousness, attainable through appropriate silent meditation. It represents a state of being, transcending the realm of doing.