What is Meditation?

Compiled from the online encyclopedia, Wikipedia...

Meditation describes a state of concentrated attention on some object of thought or awareness. It usually involves turning the attention inward to the mind itself. Meditation is often recognized as a component of Eastern religions, having originated in Vedic Hinduism. It has also become mainstream in Western culture. It encompasses any of a wide variety of practices which emphasize mental activity or quiescence. Meditation can be used for personal development, or to focus the mind on the Divine. Many practice meditation in order to achieve peace, while others practice certain physical yogas in order to become healthier.

Meditation is usually defined as one of the following:

• a state of relaxed concentration on the reality of the present moment
• a state that is experienced when the mind dissolves and is free of all thoughts
• concentration in which the attention has been liberated from restlessness and is focused on God.
• focusing the mind on a single object (such as a religious statue, or one's breath, or a mantra)
• a mental "opening up" to the divine, invoking the guidance of a higher power
• reasoned analysis of religious teachings (such as impermanence, for Buddhists).

Its ritual and contemplative qualities are similar to prayer in Western religions, but prayer emphasizes communication with a higher being, whereas meditation focuses on developing ones inner self.

Meditation may be for a religious purpose, but even before being brought to the West it was used in secular contexts, such as the martial arts.

From the point of view of psychology, meditation can induce an altered state of consciousness. However, many religious people would challenge the assumption that such mental states (or any other visible result) are the "goal" of meditation. The goals of meditation are varied, and range from spiritual enlightenment, to the transformation of attitudes, to better cardiovascular health.