About Meditation

Modern forms of meditation are so permissive in nature that they may be subjectively experienced as almost "effortless." Meditation of this sort is intrinsically pleasant and attracts the person to it; it is experienced more as a vacation from all cares once or twice a day than a chore or a "must." Because meditation can supply a highly structured and effective form of enforced rest each day it has great value for many people.

The therapeutic benefits of simple forms of meditation are supported by extensive research, but in addition to providing deep relaxation, meditation can foster communication between the person and his or her own deepest self. According to Dr. Patricia Carrington, creator of Clinically Standardized Meditation, "A little-known effect of meditation often reported by meditators is the lessening of inappropriate self blame. This can result in an impressive change from self castigating to self accepting and self nourishing behavior.... Individuals often become less self critical after they take up meditation and often develop a simultaneous increase in tolerance for the human frailties of others.

Meditation has been defined as: "self regulation of attention, in the service of self-inquiry, in the here and now." There are many various techniques of meditation that can be classified according to their focus. Some focus on the field or background perception and experience, also called "mindfulness;" others focus on a preselected specific object, and are called "concentrative" meditation. There are also techniques that shift between the field and the object.

In mindfulness meditation, the meditator sits comfortably and silently, centering attention by focusing awareness on an object or process (either the breath, a sound: a mantra, koan or riddle evoking questions; a visualisation, or an exercise). Meditation can also be practiced while walking or doing simple repetitive tasks.

Some meditative traditions, such as yoga, may be common to several religions or can occur outside religious contexts.

Hinduism is the oldest religion to profess meditation as a spiritual and religious practice. There are several types of meditation in Hinduism; Vedantra, Raja Yoga, Japa Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Hatha Yoga.

Meditation has always been central to Buddhism. Most forms of Buddhism distinguish between two classes of meditation practices, shamatha and vipassana, both of which are necessary for attaining enlightenment.

Taoism includes a number of meditative and contemplative traditions derived from a multitude of schools relating to Qigong

For an indepth look at the many various forms of meditation read Meditation from the Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

The Meditation Center offers excerpted articles from The Book of Meditation, along with reports from an extensive study on meditation among African teachers.

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