Most people probably associate meditation with religion. It is certainly true that most religious
practices include meditation as an essential part of their teaching, although some don't use the
word 'meditation' to describe their particular meditative or contemplative practice.
However, although Meditation has been taught in the West for many years as part of the Christian
tradition, it does not always have a religious element. It is not necessary to be religiously minded
to meditate, nor to give up worldly things, as is often supposed. Meditation is a natural part of the
human experience and is increasingly used as a therapy for promoting good health and boosting
the immune system. Over the past half century, many non-religious people have begun to take
meditation seriously. Moreover, many of the techniques of meditation that are attracting attention
have come from the East. Today, meditation is being found valuable by ordinary, everyday
people, many of whom may not be particularly religious.
Meditation
The word 'meditation' can be used in a variety of different ways and may have many different
associations. For some, the word may imply concentrating the mind on some mental image or,
possibly, on the idea of nothing; for others, it may mean thinking about an idea, as when we
meditate on the state of the economy. Meditation may be a form of devotion or prayer; it may
mean an examination of one's internal thought processes, or simply a settling down of the mind
into quietness. For some it could be sitting in a meadow on a summer afternoon letting the sun
and birdsong carry you away; or it may mean a guided meditation in which a therapist asks a
patient to imagine certain things happening to him. All these meanings and more have passed
under the umbrella of 'meditation'. Despite their differences, all forms of meditation have the
same basis - conscious control of attention.
practices include meditation as an essential part of their teaching, although some don't use the
word 'meditation' to describe their particular meditative or contemplative practice.
However, although Meditation has been taught in the West for many years as part of the Christian
tradition, it does not always have a religious element. It is not necessary to be religiously minded
to meditate, nor to give up worldly things, as is often supposed. Meditation is a natural part of the
human experience and is increasingly used as a therapy for promoting good health and boosting
the immune system. Over the past half century, many non-religious people have begun to take
meditation seriously. Moreover, many of the techniques of meditation that are attracting attention
have come from the East. Today, meditation is being found valuable by ordinary, everyday
people, many of whom may not be particularly religious.
Meditation
The word 'meditation' can be used in a variety of different ways and may have many different
associations. For some, the word may imply concentrating the mind on some mental image or,
possibly, on the idea of nothing; for others, it may mean thinking about an idea, as when we
meditate on the state of the economy. Meditation may be a form of devotion or prayer; it may
mean an examination of one's internal thought processes, or simply a settling down of the mind
into quietness. For some it could be sitting in a meadow on a summer afternoon letting the sun
and birdsong carry you away; or it may mean a guided meditation in which a therapist asks a
patient to imagine certain things happening to him. All these meanings and more have passed
under the umbrella of 'meditation'. Despite their differences, all forms of meditation have the
same basis - conscious control of attention.
Meditation
| If you require further information about meditation, or the various therapies on offer to you, please feel free to contact us. |
(see also our Relaxation and Tiredness pages)
Techniques of Relaxation
There are many widely known systematic techniques of relaxation. All attempt to combat stress
by bringing the ‘fight or flight’ response under control. There are two main groups: those that
concentrate on the mind, and those that work on the body. The proposal is that if you relax one,
you will relax the other.
Mental Techniques
Most mental methods are forms of meditation. Throughout man’s history, a variety of different
techniques have been derived, originally from the esoteric elements of the major religions; all
have the effect of increasing the powers of concentration, and all combat stress by bringing the
mind under conscious control. The mind is, in its usual state, a never-ending series of
associations. Every impression that enters sets off a chain of associations that, especially in
stressful situations, rebound like a ricocheting bullet, setting up a wall of mental interference
between the mind and outer reality.
Meditation aims to bring this process under control, allowing you to concentrate on the moment,
and not to worry about past or future possibilities. This increase in attention eventually leads to a
new clear-sightedness; it helps you to see objects, people, and situations as they are, not as you
want them to be or as they appear to your subjective associations. This can lead to a new sense
of peace with a new perception of your place in the world and your relation to external
circumstances. It gives you a mental breathing space. This can help you to stop wasting energy in
pointless anxiety and activity. By bringing the mind under control you also control your actions
and undermine the "donkey and carrot" syndrome in which you do things automatically without
knowing why, or even when or how. Meditation helps you to act, and not react automatically in
fear, anger, or greed.
There are many widely known systematic techniques of relaxation. All attempt to combat stress
by bringing the ‘fight or flight’ response under control. There are two main groups: those that
concentrate on the mind, and those that work on the body. The proposal is that if you relax one,
you will relax the other.
Mental Techniques
Most mental methods are forms of meditation. Throughout man’s history, a variety of different
techniques have been derived, originally from the esoteric elements of the major religions; all
have the effect of increasing the powers of concentration, and all combat stress by bringing the
mind under conscious control. The mind is, in its usual state, a never-ending series of
associations. Every impression that enters sets off a chain of associations that, especially in
stressful situations, rebound like a ricocheting bullet, setting up a wall of mental interference
between the mind and outer reality.
Meditation aims to bring this process under control, allowing you to concentrate on the moment,
and not to worry about past or future possibilities. This increase in attention eventually leads to a
new clear-sightedness; it helps you to see objects, people, and situations as they are, not as you
want them to be or as they appear to your subjective associations. This can lead to a new sense
of peace with a new perception of your place in the world and your relation to external
circumstances. It gives you a mental breathing space. This can help you to stop wasting energy in
pointless anxiety and activity. By bringing the mind under control you also control your actions
and undermine the "donkey and carrot" syndrome in which you do things automatically without
knowing why, or even when or how. Meditation helps you to act, and not react automatically in
fear, anger, or greed.
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Outside of the religious practice, meditation is simply a mental and physical course of action that a
person uses to separate themselves from their thoughts and feelings in order to become fully
aware. Anyone who has looked at a sunset or a beautiful painting and felt calm and inner joy,
while their mind becomes clear and their perception sharpens, has had a taste of the realm of
meditation. Successful meditation means simply being - not judging, not thinking, just being
aware, at peace and living each moment as it unfolds. In general, meditation is a technique for
bringing the mind to a state of peace and quiet.
Methods of Meditation
There are three methods of meditation. Most common is the use of
physical or mental objects on which the meditator tries to focus his
attention. Every time other thoughts, or even verbal definitions, enter the
mind, they must be pushed off and attention brought back to the object.
Physical objects should be natural objects, such as stones or shells, or
small personal objects like jewels or plain rings. Other objects include:
the verbal or mental repetition of sounds (Transcendental Meditation's
"mantras," "OM" [symbol left] or prayers); images with uplifting
associations (the lotus flower, pictures of saints and gurus); and body
rhythms, especially breathing.
There are three methods of meditation. Most common is the use of
physical or mental objects on which the meditator tries to focus his
attention. Every time other thoughts, or even verbal definitions, enter the
mind, they must be pushed off and attention brought back to the object.
Physical objects should be natural objects, such as stones or shells, or
small personal objects like jewels or plain rings. Other objects include:
the verbal or mental repetition of sounds (Transcendental Meditation's
"mantras," "OM" [symbol left] or prayers); images with uplifting
associations (the lotus flower, pictures of saints and gurus); and body
rhythms, especially breathing.
The classical meditation methods of Bhakti, and Sufi, Raja and
Kundalini yoga all use the meditator's own breathing. You just sit and
concentrate on your breathing... not doing anything to alter the way
you breathe, not worrying about whether you are doing it right or
wrong, not even thinking about breathing; just 'following' the
breathing and 'becoming one' with the breathing.
The second major method is to concentrate on yourself; to cultivate a constant awareness of your
actions, thoughts and surroundings. This means that you begin to see how your mind works, to
discover the automatic nature of your actions and to see the possibilities of the self or, in some
philosophies, the essential nothingness, behind the transient automation. Krishnamurti's
"self-knowledge" and Gurdjieff's "self-remembering" typify this method.
The third method combines aspects of the other two; the best known examples being Zen
Buddhism's "zazen" meditation and use of the "koans" (unsolvable problems), and Tibetan
Buddhism. Choose the method most suitable for your own personality and circumstances, and
stress will be relieved.
actions, thoughts and surroundings. This means that you begin to see how your mind works, to
discover the automatic nature of your actions and to see the possibilities of the self or, in some
philosophies, the essential nothingness, behind the transient automation. Krishnamurti's
"self-knowledge" and Gurdjieff's "self-remembering" typify this method.
The third method combines aspects of the other two; the best known examples being Zen
Buddhism's "zazen" meditation and use of the "koans" (unsolvable problems), and Tibetan
Buddhism. Choose the method most suitable for your own personality and circumstances, and
stress will be relieved.
Physiological Effects of Meditation
These are the opposite to those of the ‘fight or flight’ response. The following conclusions emerge
from the results of experiments designed to scientifically test the benefits of Transcendental
Meditation (TM).
These are the opposite to those of the ‘fight or flight’ response. The following conclusions emerge
from the results of experiments designed to scientifically test the benefits of Transcendental
Meditation (TM).
- Sleep. The reduction of oxygen, and also of the metabolic rate, during meditation means a
deeper level of rest. Meditation may also help insomniacs to get to sleep more easily. - Skin resistance to electricity decreases under stress and increases during meditation.
- Cortisol level. The amount of Cortisol in the blood plasma increases under stress and
decreases during meditation.
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
- Sleep Fig 1 compares the change in oxygen consumption during sleep and during TM. A
shows the percent change in oxygen consumption. B shows the time in hours. The second
diagram compares the average time taken by an insomniac to fall asleep, for 30 days
before starting TM, and for 30 days after starting TM. C is the time in 1 hour intervals. - Skin resistance Fig 2:2 compares skin resistance during meditation and during various
other activities. Resistance is measured in kilohms. - Cortisol level Fig 2:3 compares the percentage of cortisol in the blood plasma of non-
meditators before, during and after relaxation, and of meditators before, during, and after
meditation.
Here are a few supportive articles and sites that may help convince you that meditation is a
worthwhile habit:
The Science of Meditation - Psychology Today
The Benefits of Meditation - Psychology Today
Meditation 'good for brain' - BBC
Meditation can alter brain structure and reduce stress - Times Online
Scientists probe meditation secrets - BBC News
For Stress Reduction, Just Say Ommm - CNN
How Monks Find Their Happy Groove - CNN
For more information go to Project Meditation
worthwhile habit:
The Science of Meditation - Psychology Today
The Benefits of Meditation - Psychology Today
Meditation 'good for brain' - BBC
Meditation can alter brain structure and reduce stress - Times Online
Scientists probe meditation secrets - BBC News
For Stress Reduction, Just Say Ommm - CNN
How Monks Find Their Happy Groove - CNN
For more information go to Project Meditation
| If you want to learn meditation the easy way, the Gaia Team recommends: The Meditation Program |
A letter in support of meditation.
| For a free guide to "Meditation for Self Development" by an unknown author click here. |