Mary-Jane Slaby, JCOnline: Back straight, legs crossed and with the back of her hands on her knees, the Rev. Hilary Cooke’s palms faced upward, open and ready to receive whatever may come her way.

She focused on one word — her mantra — repeated over and over to herself.

“Compassion.” It’s a feeling she has for herself and for others.

“Compassion.” Avoid distractions and don’t think about what to make for dinner.

“Compassion.” It’s three syllables, just like the beat of a waltz.

“Compassion.”

The corner of her office at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Lafayette, where Cooke is the associate priest for …

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There are many different types of meditation practices. Most familiar, perhaps, are mantra meditation, Mindfulness of Breathing, Metta Bhavana (Development of Loving Kindness), and the candle meditation. Recently I was asked by a student if I thought she should add a third meditation practice to the two forms of meditation she already practices. As a “good teacher”, I responded to her question with a list of questions to consider before she made her decision. I hope these questions will be helpful to you as well, if you are considering adding other practices to your meditation repertoire.

Regarding adding another form of meditation to your meditation practice – there are differing …