meditation

meditation,

religious discipline in which the mind is focused on a single point of reference. It may be a means of invoking divine gracegrace,
in Christian theology, the free favor of God toward humans, which is necessary for their salvation. A distinction is made between natural grace (e.g., the gift of life) and supernatural grace, by which God makes a person (born sinful because of original sin) capable of
..... Click the link for more information. , as in the contemplation by Christian mystics of a spiritual theme, question, or problem; or it may be a means of attaining conscious union with the divine, e.g., through visualization of a deity or inward repetition of a prayer or mantramantra
, in Hinduism and Buddhism, mystic words used in ritual and meditation. A mantra is believed to be the sound form of reality, having the power to bring into being the reality it represents. There are several types of mantras.
..... Click the link for more information. (sacred sound). Some forms of meditation involve putting the body in a special position, such as the seated, cross-legged lotus position, and using special breathing practices. Employed since ancient times in various forms by all religions, the practice gained greater notice in the postwar United States as interest in Zen BuddhismZen Buddhism,
Buddhist sect of China and Japan. The name of the sect (Chin. Ch'an, Jap. Zen) derives from the Sanskrit dhyana [meditation]. In China the school early became known for making its central tenet the practice of meditation, rather than adherence
..... Click the link for more information. rose. In the 1960s and 70s the Indian Maharishi Mahesh Yogi popularized a mantra system known as Transcendental MeditationTranscendental Meditation,
service mark for a meditation technique and program founded by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and based on Vedic philosophy. Stressing natural meditation and the mental and physical benefits and personal development that could be achieved, Transcendental
..... Click the link for more information. . Meditation is now used by many nonreligious adherents as a method of stress reduction; it is known to lessen levels of cortisol, a hormone released in response to stress. The practice has been shown to enhance recuperation and improve the body's resistance to disease.

Meditation

(religion, spiritualism, and occult)

Meditation is listening to the Inner Self, the Creative Force or Higher Consciousness. It involves closing the mind to all external stimuli and concentrating on the creative forces within the body. It is a technique used by most Wiccans and many nonWiccans alike, and is a useful tool in the working of magic. As a technique for advancement in the psychic and spiritual fields, it has been found to be extremely effective.

In its present form, meditation has entered the Western world by way of the East. Eastern initiates have for centuries been able to control their minds to overcome sickness, develop psychic powers, and expand knowledge of Universal Law and philosophy.

There are many different techniques, from the methods used in Transcendental Meditation, Silva Mind Control, Zen Buddhism, and Edgar Cayce techniques, to various forms of yoga and self-taught and developed methods. All are similar in that they involve stilling the mind and conscious thought so that the inner mind may listen to messages from within and solve problems.

Buddhists meditate in the Shrine room of Vajraloka Buddhist Meditation Center in North Wales. Courtesy Fortean Picture Library.

Meditation

(religion, spiritualism, and occult)

Meditation is seen as a means to union with deity or with the absolute. Today it is an established practice, not only among various cults but among ordinary, everyday people. It was common to Hinduism and Buddhism but has spread to be incorporated into many Western religions and practices. Meditation is described as “a stilling of the mind,” “a listening,” “a step to psychism and mediumship.” It is not an escape from reality nor does it involve a loss of consciousness. These days it is seen especially as a remedy for stress and anxiety.

The Hesychast monks in Greece in the Middle Ages followed a system similar to yoga, which emphasized breathing and concentration on the solar plexus. Many of the Roman Catholic saints developed their own meditation techniques. Benjamin Walker mentions St. Francis of Assisi and St. Teresa evolving their own disciplines, and St. Ignatius of Loyola outlining “a stringent procedure in a contemplative process that has led many to spiritual exaltation.” There are a number of different techniques for meditating. In the 1960s and 1970s, Transcendental Meditation (TM) was popular, as taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Edgar cayce put forward a method, as did others. Buddhist meditation has always had its followers.

Some people can meditate anywhere—on a bus or train, in a crowded waiting room, or an airport lounge. At the other extreme, some Eastern mystics go to a mountain top while others have a special, secluded room especially for the purpose of meditating. Basically, especially for a beginner, it is best to have a place that is quiet and private. It is also a good plan to meditate at the same time each day.

The best position is the one that is most comfortable for the meditator. The general rule is to sit with the back straight. Some sit in a straight-backed chair or a cushion or small stool; some meditate while slowly walking. It is not recommended to lie down while meditating since it is easy to fall asleep that way. It is best to then relax the whole body, loosening all the muscles and letting go of all tension. Deep, rhythmic breathing is an aid, and some even accompany it with soft humming. The hypnotism technique of mentally addressing each and every part of the body is useful: starting with the feet and toes, then moving slowly up the legs to the knees and on up to the thighs and hips. Each area is concentrated upon to bring about total relaxation. The hands and fingers, wrists, arms, elbows, upper arms and shoulders, are similarly worked. Then the lower body, waist, and upper body. Finally the concentration moves on to the neck, face, scalp and all of the head. Eventually the full body has been completely relaxed. The next step is to empty the mind, slowly eliminating from the conscious all thoughts of a practical nature, such as domestic and business worries and problems.

In Transcendental Meditation, the practitioner is then instructed to concentrate on a mantra, a word/sound that is repeated over and over again to prevent other thoughts from intruding. Mantras are used in some forms of Buddhist meditation, though not all. Rather than repetition of a word or phrase, there may be concentration on a candle flame, a mandala, or other symbol. Since it is the nature of the mind to have constant thought, when extraneous thoughts come into the mind, they are acknowledged but are not dwelt upon. Some meditators do concentrate on an objective, such as some form of self improvement, or on getting rid of a bad habit. Other meditators may use that state to make contact with their spirit guide and/or with the spirits of deceased loved ones.

It has been proven that regular meditation is extremely beneficial, helping lower blood pressure, relieve stress, and eliminate anxiety. The mind and the body benefit from meditation. Twenty minutes per day is a recommended time to spend in the practice. Many spend far longer, or do two or even three sessions every day.

Sources:

Bodian, Stephan: Meditation for Dummies. New York: Wiley Publishing, 1999Goleman, Daniel: The Meditative Mind: The Varieties of Meditative Experience. New York: Tarcher/Putnam, 1988

Smith, B.: Meditation: The Inward Act. London: McClelland, 1963 Walker, Benjamin: Man, Myth & Magic: Meditation. London: BPC Publishing, 1970

Meditation

mental activity directed toward bringing the human mind to a state of deep concentration, which is therefore both the result and the objective appearance of meditation. Psychologically, meditation presupposes the elimination of extreme emotional states and a substantial decrease in responsiveness. The meditator’s body is relaxed; his frame of mind is elevated and marked by a certain indifference to physical objects and internal sensations.

In such practices as worship, philosophical religion, psychotherapy, and the didactic method, the induction and course of meditation are generally associated with a specific series of mental acts that form a natural process. In almost all languages, the word “meditation” is semantically related to both “mind” and “thinking” as natural human abilities independent of man’s conscious intention (Sanskrit dhyana; Russian duman’e; ancient Greek medomai; English “musing”).

Methods of meditation differ in technique and in the sequence of stages for reaching mental equilibrium and psychic unresponsiveness. Hindu and Buddhist yoga place particular emphasis on meditation as one of the principal means of attaining religious liberation. Meditation was also practiced and developed in the ancient “philosophical ecstasy” of the Platonists and Neoplatonists (among the former, it was an essential prerequisite of theoretical, particularly mathematical, thought), in the Orthodox “mental doing” (Logos meditation, or Jesus prayer), in the spiritual exercises of the Jesuits, and in the doctrine of the “way” of Muslim Sufis. Meditation has been used in some schools of contemporary psychoanalysis (C. G. Jung) whose goal is the integration of personality.

REFERENCES

James, W. Mnogoobrazie religioznogo opyta. Moscow, 1910. (Translated from English.)
Thurston, H. The Physical Phenomena of Mysticism. Chicago, 1952.
Evans-Wentz, W. Y. Tibetan Yoga and Secret Doctrines. London-Oxford, 1967.

A. M. PIATIGORSKII

What does it mean when you dream about meditation?

If we meditate regularly in our waking life, a dream about meditating can be a simple reflection of our everyday experience. Otherwise, it can be a message from a deeper part of our minds, telling us to slow down or to reflect.

meditation

Meditation

Definition

Meditation is a practice of concentrated focus upon a sound, object, visualization, the breath, movement, or attention itself in order to increase awareness of the present moment, reduce stress, promote relaxation, and enhance personal and spiritual growth.

Purpose

Meditation benefits people with or without acute medical illness or stress. People who meditate regularly have been shown to feel less anxiety and depression. They also report that they experience more enjoyment and appreciation of life and that their relationships with others are improved. Meditation produces a state of deep relaxation and a sense of balance or equanimity. According to Michael J. Baime, "Meditation cultivates an emotional stability that allows the meditator to experience intense emotions fully while simultaneously maintaining perspective on them." Out of this experience of emotional stability, one may gain greater insight and understanding about one's thoughts, feelings, and actions. This insight in turn offers the possibility to feel more confident and in control of life. Meditation facilitates a greater sense of calmness, empathy, and acceptance of self and others.Meditation can be used with other forms of medical treatment and is an important complementary therapy for both the treatment and prevention of many stress-related conditions. Regular meditation can reduce the number of symptoms experienced by patients with a wide range of illnesses and disorders. Based upon clinical evidence as well as theoretical understanding, meditation is considered to be one of the better therapies for panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, substance dependence and abuse, ulcers, colitis, chronic pain, psoriasis, and dysthymic disorder. It is considered to be a valuable adjunctive therapy for moderate hypertension (high blood pressure), prevention of cardiac arrest (heart attack), prevention of atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries), arthritis (including fibromyalgia), cancer, insomnia, migraine, and prevention of stroke. Meditation may also be a valuable complementary therapy for allergies and asthma because of the role stress plays in these conditions. Meditative practices have been reported to improve function or reduce symptoms in patients with some neurological disorders as well. These include people with Parkinson's disease, people who experience fatigue with multiple sclerosis, and people with epilepsy who are resistant to standard treatment.Overall, a 1995 report to the National Institutes of Health on alternative medicine concluded that, "More than 30 years of research, as well as the experience of a large and growing number of individuals and health care providers, suggests that meditation and similar forms of relaxation can lead to better health, higher quality of life, and lowered health care costs …"

Description

Origins

Meditation techniques have been practiced for millennia. Originally, they were intended to develop spiritual understanding, awareness, and direct experience of ultimate reality. The many different religious traditions in the world have given rise to a rich variety of meditative practices. These include the contemplative practices of Christian religious orders, the Buddhist practice of sitting meditation, and the whirling movements of the Sufi dervishes. Although meditation is an important spiritual practice in many religious and spiritual traditions, it can be practiced by anyone regardless of their religious or cultural background to relieve stress and pain.As Western medical practitioners begin to understand the mind's role in health and disease, there has been more interest in the use of meditation in medicine. Meditative practices are increasingly offered in medical clinics and hospitals as a tool for improving health and quality of life. Meditation has been used as the primary therapy for treating certain diseases; as an additional therapy in a comprehensive treatment plan; and as a means of improving the quality of life of people with debilitating, chronic, or terminal illnesses.Sitting meditation is generally done in an upright seated position, either in a chair or cross-legged on a cushion on the floor. The spine is straight yet relaxed. Sometimes the eyes are closed. Other times the eyes are open and gazing softly into the distance or at an object. Depending on the type of meditation, the meditator may be concentrating on the sensation of the movement of the breath, counting the breath, silently repeating a sound, chanting, visualizing an image, focusing awareness on the center of the body, opening to all sensory experiences including thoughts, or performing stylized ritual movements with the hands.Movement meditation can be spontaneous and free-form or involve highly structured, choreographed, repetitive patterns. Movement meditation is particularly helpful for those people who find it difficult to remain still.Generally speaking, there are two main types of meditation. These types are concentration meditation and mindfulness meditation. Concentration meditation practices involve focusing attention on a single object. Objects of meditation can include the breath, an inner or external image, a movement pattern (as in tai chi or yoga), or a sound, word, or phrase that is repeated silently (mantra). The purpose of concentrative practices is to learn to focus one's attention or develop concentration. When thoughts or emotions arise, the meditator gently directs the mind back to the original object of concentration.Mindfulness meditation practices involve becoming aware of the entire field of attention. The meditator is instructed to be aware of all thoughts, feelings, perceptions or sensations as they arise in each moment. Mindfulness meditation practices are enhanced by the meditator's ability to focus and quiet the mind. Many meditation practices are a blend of these two forms.The study and application of meditation to health care has focused on three specific approaches: 1. transcendental meditation (TM); 2. The "relaxation response," a general approach to meditation developed by Dr. Herbert Benson; and 3. mindfulness meditation, specifically the program of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn.

Transcendental meditation

TM has its origins in the Vedic tradition of India and was introduced to the West by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. TM has been taught to somewhere between two and four million people. It is one of the most widely practiced forms of meditation in the West. TM has been studied many times; these studies have produced much of the information about the physiology of meditation. In TM, the meditator sits with closed eyes and concentrates on a single syllable or word (mantra) for 20 minutes at a time, twice a day. When thoughts or feelings arise, the attention is brought back to the mantra. According to Charles Alexander, an important TM researcher, "During TM, ordinary waking mental activity is said to settle down, until even the subtlest thought is transcended and a completely unified wholeness of awareness … is experienced. In this silent, self-referential state of pure wakefulness, consciousness is fully awake to itself alone…." TM supporters believe that TM practices are more beneficial than other meditation practices.

The relaxation response

The relaxation response involves a similar form of mental focusing. Dr. Herbert Benson, one of the first Western doctors to conduct research on the effects of meditation, developed this approach after observing the profound health benefits of a state of bodily calm he calls "the relaxation response." In order to elicit this response in the body, he teaches patients to focus upon the repetition of a word, sound, prayer, phrase, or movement activity (including swimming, jogging, yoga, and even knitting) for 10-20 minutes at a time, twice a day. Patients are also taught not to pay attention to distracting thoughts and to return their focus to the original repetition. The choice of the focused repetition is up to the individual. Instead of Sanskrit terms, the meditator can choose what is personally meaningful, such as a phrase from a Christian or Jewish prayer.

Mindfulness meditation

Mindfulness meditation comes out of traditional Buddhist meditation practices. Psychologist Jon Kabat-Zinn has been instrumental in bringing this form of meditation into medical settings. In formal mindfulness practice, the meditator sits with eyes closed, focusing the attention on the sensations and movement of the breath for approximately 45-60 minutes at a time, at least once a day. Informal mindfulness practice involves bringing awareness to every activity in daily life. Wandering thoughts or distracting feelings are simply noticed without resisting or reacting to them. The essence of mindfulness meditation is not what one focuses on but rather the quality of awareness the meditator brings to each moment. According to Kabat-Zinn, "It is this investigative, discerning observation of whatever comes up in the present moment that is the hallmark of mindfulness and differentiates it most from other forms of meditation. The goal of mindfulness is for you to be more aware, more in touch with life and whatever is happening in your own body and mind at the time it is happening—that is, the present moment." The MBSR program consists of a series of classes involving meditation, movement, and group process. There are over 240 MBSR programs offered in health care settings around the world.Meditation is not considered a medical procedure or intervention by most insurers. Many patients pay for meditation training themselves. Frequently, religious groups or meditation centers offer meditation instruction free of charge or for a nominal donation. Hospitals may offer MBSR classes at a reduced rate for their patients and a slightly higher rate for the general public.

Precautions

Meditation appears to be safe for most people. There are, however, case reports and studies noting some adverse effects. Thirty-three to 50% of the people participating in long silent meditation retreats (two weeks to three months) reported increased tension, anxiety, confusion, and depression. On the other hand, most of these same people also reported very positive effects from their meditation practice. Kabat-Zinn notes that these studies fail to differentiate between serious psychiatric disturbances and normal emotional mood swings. These studies do suggest, however, that meditation may not be recommended for people with psychotic disorders, severe depression, and other severe personality disorders unless they are also receiving psychological or medical treatment.

Side effects

There are no reported side effects from meditation except for positive benefits.

Research and general acceptance

The scientific study of the physiological effects of meditation began in the early 1960s. These studies prove that meditation affects metabolism, the endocrine system, the central nervous system, and the autonomic nervous system. In one study, three advanced practitioners of Tibetan Buddhist meditation practices demonstrated the ability to increase "inner heat" as much as 61%. During a different meditative practice they were able to dramatically slow down the rate at which their bodies consumed oxygen. Preliminary research shows that mindfulness meditation is associated with increased levels of melatonin. These findings suggest a potential role for meditation in the treatment and prevention of breast and prostrate cancer.Despite the inherent difficulties in designing research studies, there is a large amount of evidence of the medical benefits of meditation. Meditation is particularly effective as a treatment for chronic pain. Studies have shown meditation reduces symptoms of pain and pain-related drug use. In a four-year follow-up study, the majority of patients in a MBSR program reported "moderate to great improvement" in pain as a result of participation in the program.Meditation has long been recommended as a treatment for high blood pressure; however, there is a debate over the amount of benefit that meditation offers. Although most studies show a reduction in blood pressure with meditation, medication is still more effective at lowering high blood pressure.Meditation may also be an effective treatment for coronary artery disease. A study of 21 patients practicing TM for eight months showed increases in their amount of exercise tolerance, amount of workload, and a delay in the onset of ST-segment depression. Meditation is also an important part of Dean Ornish's program, which has been proven to reverse coronary artery disease.Research also suggests that meditation is effective in the treatment of chemical dependency. Gelderloos and others reviewed 24 studies and reported that all of them showed that TM is helpful in programs to stop smoking and also in programs for drug and alcohol abuse.Studies also imply that meditation is helpful in reducing symptoms of anxiety and in treating anxiety-related disorders. Furthermore, a study in 1998 of 37 psoriasis patients showed that those practicing mindfulness meditation had more rapid clearing of their skin condition, with standard UV light treatment, than the control subjects. Another study found that meditation decreased the symptoms of fibromyalgia; over half of the patients reported significant improvement. Meditation was one of several stress management techniques used in a small study of HIV-positive men. The study showed improvements in the T-cell counts of the men, as well as in several psychological measures of well-being.

Resources

Books

Astin, John A., et al. "Meditation" in Clinician's Complete Reference to Complementary and Alternative Medicine, edited by Donald Novey. St. Louis, MO: Mosby, 2000.Baime, Michael J. "Meditation and Mindfulness" in Essentials of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, edited Wayne B. Jonas and Jeffrey S. Levin. New York: Lippencott, Williams and Wilkins, 1999.

Organizations

Insight Meditation Society. 1230 Pleasant, St. Barre, MA 01005. (978) 355-4378. FAX: (978) 355-6398. http://www.dharma.org.Mind-Body Medical Institute. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. One Deaconess Road, Boston, MA 02215. (617) 632-9525. http://www.mindbody.harvard.edu.

Other

Videos are available from the organizations listed above.

meditation

(mĕd′ĭ-tā′shən)n.a. The act or process of meditating.b. A devotional exercise of or leading to contemplation.

med′i·ta′tion·al adj.

meditation

A general term for a technique in which a person empties his mind of extraneous thought, with the intent of elevating the mind to a different level and transcend mundane concerns.
Anecdotal reports suggest that meditation may be effective for treating anxiety, asthma, bronchitis, cancer, cardiovascular disease, chest pain, circulatory defects, depression, fear, hypertension, infertility, insomnia, menopausal disorders, muscle tension, pain management, panic attacks, phobias, psoriasis, shock, sleep disorders, stress, tension, wheezing and other conditions; other benefits attributed to meditation include increased job satisfaction, creativity and speed in performing tasks, and may improve academic performance, attention span and interpersonal relationships.
Physiologic effects
Decreases heart and breathing rates, blood pressure and activity of the cerebral cortex.
Adverse effects
Excess meditation can result in meditation sickness, or increased mental plasticity and susceptibility to manipulation (e.g., by a cult).

Meditation formats
▪ Body control—to unite body and mind (e.g., through hatha yoga).
▪ Mind control—to increase concentration through contemplation and visualisation, or use of a symbol, object or mantra.
▪ Letting go of body—deliberate relaxation of muscles and voluntary control.
▪ Letting go of the mind—emptying the mind of (troubling) thoughts, allowing others to enter.

meditation

Fringe health A technique in which a person empties the mind of extraneous thought, with the intent of elevating the mind to a different level, and transcend–hence the term transcendental meditation–
mundane concerns Physiologic effects ↓ heart and breathing rates, BP, brain activity. See Auto-suggestion therapy, Body scan meditation, Bubble of light technique, Color meditation, Mantra, Meditation sickness, Microcosmic orbit meditation, Yoga.

med·i·ta·tion

(med'i-tā'shŭn) Any mental activity intended to keep the practitioner's attention in the present; has been used for several thousand years to balance physical, emotional, and mental states; sometimes employed as part of overall therapy for diverse medical conditions (e.g., providing pain relief, lowering blood pressure).
See: holistic care

See meditation

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REFERENCES

What does it mean when you dream about meditation?

meditation

Meditation

Definition

Purpose

Description

Origins

Transcendental meditation

The relaxation response

Mindfulness meditation

Precautions

Side effects

Research and general acceptance

Resources

Books

Organizations

Other

meditation

meditation

meditation

med·i·ta·tion

meditation

Synonyms for meditation

noun reflection

Synonyms

Synonyms for meditation

noun the act or process of thinking

Synonyms

Synonyms for meditation

noun continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature

Synonyms

Related Words

noun (religion) contemplation of spiritual matters (usually on religious or philosophical subjects)

Related Words