Introduction
Meditation is a practice in which an individual uses a technique such as mindfulness or focusing the mind on a particular object or activity.
Meditation is practiced in various religious traditions. The earliest record of meditation are found in Upanishads, Meditation played a salient role in Buddhism and Hinduism.
Meditation may reduce stress, depression, anxiety etc., and enhance peace and self-perception and well-being. The research is going on the effects of meditation on health like psychological, neurological etc.
Etymology
The English meditation is derived from old meditation to Latin meditation means to think, deviate, devise and ponder.
Apart from his historical usage, the term meditation was used as translation referred to as concentration in Hinduism and Buddhism.
Definitions
Meditation is really difficult to define as it did not have proper definition, and it covers a wide range of dissimilar practices in different traditions. The word meditation and the phrase meditative practice, often used to designate practice found in many cultures. This can include anything to train the mind’s attention or to teach calmness and peace.
Definitions of Dictionary
It gives both the original or Latin meaning to thinking deep about something, or the act of giving an attention to only on one thing, either as a religious activity or a way of becoming calm and relax.
Scholarly Definition
According to a scholar, Meditation has been defined and characterized in a variety of ways. Many emphasize the role of attention and characterize the practice of meditation as to go beyond the reflexive.
Several other definitions of meditation have been influenced by reviews and research on meditation:
1) 1) Goldman
T The need of the meditator to refrain his attention whether through concentration or mindfulness is the single ingredient in Meditation
2) Walsh & Shapiro
This is referred to a family of self-regulation practices to focus on training attention and awareness to control mind.
H History of Meditation
The history of meditation is bound with the religious context within which it was practiced. Rousseau has suggested that the capacity for focused attention is an element of many methods of meditation, which has contributed to the latest phases of human biological evolution.
Jainism
Jain meditation and spiritual practices were referred to as salvation path. It has three parts which is called Nataly which is called three jewels which is called right perception and faith, right knowledge and path. It aims to remain in the pure state of soul, which is believed to be in pure consciousness beyond any attachment or aversion.
It uses meditation techniques such as Pine Asana, Concentration Pine Asana concentration etc. Jainism focuses on mantra which is a combination of letters, words or deity. There is a rich tradition of mantra in Jainism.
Buddhism
This meditation refers to the meditative practices associated with the religion and philosophy of Buddhism. Core meditation techniques have been preserved in ancient Buddhist text
Student teacher transmission
Buddhist meditation technique have become popular in the wider world. There is considerable homogeneity across meditative practices such as breath meditation and various recollection in Buddhist schools.
Hinduism
There are many schools and styles of Meditation within Hinduism. In pre-modern and traditional Hinduism. Yoga and concentration is practiced to recognize pure awareness and consciousness.
One of the most influential classical Hindu Yoga is Patanjali yoga which is a text associated with Yoga and Sakha which related to eight limbs of yoga like Yam which is called ethical discipline, Rules which is called habit too, Asana which is called physical posture, extension of breath which is called breath control, Withdrawal from senses and hold which is called sharpness of mind and concentration which is called meditation and finally in a state of concentration.
Sikhism
In Sikhism, to remember God name and good deeds are both necessary to achieve the spiritual goals. Without good deeds, meditation is worthless. When Sikh meditate, they aim to feel God presence in the divine light. It’s God divine that order a devotee to begin meditation. Nam's worship also focusing one’s attention on the different attributes of God.
Classification
In west meditation has broadly divided between two categories namely focused meditation and mindfulness meditation. Focused methods pay attention to the breath
Frequency
The transcendental technique recommends meditation practice f 20 minutes twice a day. Some techniques suggest less time. The research says that practice meditation for only 8 minutes per day. Some people find meditation practice. Some do meditation practice in dawn. Some do meditation for long hours.
Posture
Asana and position such a full lotus, half lotus, Burmese and kneeling were done in Buddhism. Meditation is also done while sitting walking which is also called Krishna or while doing simple task mindfully or by lying down which is also called savanna.
Using Prayer Beads
Some people use prayer beads to do meditation. Most prayer beads consist of pearls or beads linked by a thread.
Guided Meditation
It is a type of meditation which utilizes the number of techniques to achieve or enhance the meditative state. This meditation done under the guidance of a trainer or sat guru. They are also expert in doing meditation. It has also done through the use of image, music and other techniques. This session either in person or via media, or it is a combination of both. It is a combination of meditation music and therapy, guided meditation and relaxing. Because of the different combination used in this meditation, it is really difficult to find out the positive and negative outcomes of various techniques. The term is frequently used interchangeably by different names. It is an aggregate or synthesis of techniques such as meditation music, guided therapy, guided imagery, relaxation etc. Benefits of this meditation includes lower level of stress, reducing arithmetic episode, insomnia, negative or irrational thinking, anger etc.
Effects of Meditation
This help in lowers heart rate, oxygen level, control breathing, improve concentration etc. Those who have meditated for two to three years were already having low blood pressure. When we do meditation, the oxygen consumption decreases 10 to 20 percent over the first three minutes. During sleep, oxygen consumption decreases about 8 per cent over four to five hours. Meditators who have practices for years have breath rate drop to three to four breaths per minute
You must be logged in to post a comment.