What is Meditation?

Meditation has been done for hundreds of years.Meditation is used as a broad term for practices done by a sole practitioner without much, if any, external aid, often for the purpose of self transformation. Often, though not at all necessarily, meditation is done as part of a religious tradition.Some people come to yoga through an interest in meditation, but for many people it’s the other way around. If your yoga practice is leading you to explore meditation, here are some resources for you.

The desired purpose of each meditation technique is to channel our awareness into a more positive direction by totally transforming one’s state of mind. To meditate is to turn inwards, to concentrate on the inner self. The entire process of meditation usually entails the three stages of concentration, meditation and enlightenment or absorption.

The individual preparing to meditate usually starts off by harnessing his awareness, such as focussing his mind onto a certain object.Once attention gets engaged, concentration turns into meditation or dhyana.In some forms of meditation this is called a mantra. It can be rooted in your personal belief system. A Christian may focus on The Lord is my shepherd” for example, a Jew Shalom or a Muslim Allah.You may prefer a neutral word such as calm or peace.