Meditation

The word meditation carries different meanings in different contexts. Meditation has been practiced since antiquity as a component of numerous religious traditions and beliefs. Meditation often involves an internal effort to self-regulate the mind in some way.

Some Definitions of Meditation are :

• Meditation means cessation of the thought process. Meditation is not a technique but a way of life. It describes a state of consciousness, when the mind is free of scattered thoughts and various patterns .
• Meditation means to drop everything which is in one’s memory and to come to a state where only consciousness remains, where only awareness remains. Meditation does not mean remembering something or someone. When only consciousness remains without an object, that state is called meditation.
• Meditation is rest, absolute rest, a full stop to all activity – physical, mental, emotional. When you are in such a deep rest that nothing stirs in you, when all action as such ceases – as if you are fast asleep yet awake – you come to know who you are.
• Meditation is a practice in which an individual trains the mind or induces a mode of consciousness, either to realize some benefit or for the mind to simply acknowledge its content without becoming identified with that content, or as an end in itself
• Meditation is a technique for working with the mind. If you think of the mind as a tool then the first step in putting it to use should be to examine it; then reflect on how it works and its possible uses; then put it to work as efficiently and effectively as you can. 
• Meditation is a natural way of getting to know the mind so that we can investigate and understand how it works and then improve it through training. It takes a lot of practice to train the mind. 
• Meditation is the way to bring us back to ourselves, where we can really experience and taste our full being, beyond all habitual patterns. In the stillness and silence of meditation, we glimpse and return to that deep inner nature that we have so long ago lost sight of amid the busyness and distraction of our minds.

Meditation is an intensely personal and spiritual experience. 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. 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.

And through continuous meditation, the meditator merges with the object of concentration, which might either be the present moment or the Divine Entity.
Preparation, posture, length of period of meditation, particular verbal or visual elements—all contribute to the various forms of meditation..

Types of Meditation:

The different types of meditation techniques that have evolved from Hinduism, Christianity, and Buddhism can be classified under five categories:

1. Concentration. :  This includes Zen meditation, Transcendental Meditation, Om meditation, Shine Meditation or Samadhi and Chakra Meditation
2. Reflective Meditation: Reflective meditation is also known as analytical meditation and refers to disciplined thinking. Reflective ideas which are focused on, such as:- Who am I?, What is the true purpose of my life?, What is my role in this universe?, How can I help remove the sufferings of others?
3. Mindfulness Meditation: It includes Vipassana meditation , Deep breathing meditation, Body scan meditation, Visualization meditation, Mindful breathing, Mindful eating, Sitting Meditation, Walking Meditation
4. Heart-Centered Meditation : Heart-centered meditation will help in releasing all  fears and sadness and bathe in the radiance of loving kindness and compassion. It is also known as the heart chakra meditation. 
5. Creative Meditation : It focuses on strengthening qualities, such as appreciation, joy, compassion, patience, empathy, love, gratitude, compassion, humility, fearlessness, and tenderness, among others.

Benefits of Meditation:

 While a meditative state is the natural outcome of yoga and the spiritual benefit of meditation is supreme bliss or enlightenment. Meditation techniques are being implemented in management of life threatening diseases; in transformation of molecular and genetic structure; in reversal of mental illnesses, in accelerated learning programs, in perceptions and communications beyond the physical, in solving problems and atomic and nuclear physics; in gaining better ecological understanding; in management of lifestyle and future world problems. Some benefits of meditation are:

• It lowers oxygen consumption.
• It decreases respiratory rate.
• It increases blood flow and slows the heart rate.
• Increases exercise tolerance in heart patients.
• Leads to a deeper level of relaxation.
• Good for people with high blood pressure as it brings the B.P. to normal.
• Reduces anxiety attacks by lowering the levels of blood lactate.
• Decreases muscle tension (any pain due to tension) and headaches.
• Builds self-confidence.
• It increases serotonin production which influences mood and behaviour. Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression, obesity, insomnia and headaches.
• Helps in chronic diseases like allergies , arthritis etc.
• Reduces Pre- menstrual Syndrome.
• Helps in post-operative healing.
• Enhances the immune system. Research has revealed that meditation increases activity of 'natural-killer cells', which kill bacteria and cancer cells.
• Also reduces activity of viruses and emotional distress.