Meditation may have beneficial effects on practitioners' spiritual, psychological and physical conditions. Mindfulness and concentrative meditation are centuries-old practices but cultural perspectives vary. Meditation is part of a spiritual quest for enlightenment in Eastern cultures. Western cultures have taken an academic and scientific interest in the impact of meditation on alleviating chronic pain and improving psychological health.
Meditation
Meditation is fundamentally the practice of maintaining consciousness of the present moment. Concentration fosters peace of mind by not reacting to the past or making plans for the future. A peaceful mind doesn't wander and so is free from tension and anxiety; the practice of meditation helps instill a habit of accessing the peaceful mind to relieve stress. The desired outcome is to alter patterns of problematic behavior and thoughts and substitute wholesome responses instead.
Meditation Types
Concentrative meditation focuses the mind on the breath, an object or a mantra -- a sound. Focusing the mind on one thing eventually results in slow, deep and regular breathing, an indication of relaxation. As the body relaxes, the mind becomes tranquil. Mindfulness meditation cultivates attention in the form of witnessing sensations and activities without reacting to them or becoming involved with the thoughts, memories or images that are triggered by what's observed. Concentrative meditation narrows the mind's focus; mindfulness opens the mind wide.
Meditation and Religion
Meditation is religion-neutral; a meditation practice doesn't have to be grounded in a religion to be effective. Eastern religions have incorporated meditation practices into spiritual teachings as part of the spiritual journey to connect with a higher power. Meditation is conceived in layers or stages of consciousness, each one quieted so another layer is revealed, culminating in a state of complete tranquility. Physical meditations such as yoga and practices of mindfulness and concentration are part of the path to spiritual enlightenment.
Secular Meditation
Meditation has demonstrable physical and psychological effects. It's increasingly used in conjunction with counseling and psychotherapy, and many health professionals include it as part of a holistic program for self-care for chronic pain. Psychologists study the effects of meditation on mental health in the context of psychological theories of personal growth and self-actualization. Neuroscience researchers have documented differences in the brain activity of long-time meditation practitioners from novice practitioners, raising interest in further rigorous examination of the connection between meditation and the brain.
References
- Rutgers University; Meditative States of Consciousness; J.W. (Bill) Whitlow Jr.
- "Holistic Nursing Practice"; Meditation's Impact On Chronic Illness; R. Bonadonna; November to December 2003
- "Scientific American"; Meditation on Demand; Peter B. Reiner; May 2009
- Psychology -- An Introduction; Meditation; Russell A. Dewey, PhD
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