Meditation has a very specific meaning which distinguishes it from several synonyms such as reflect, contemplate, ruminate and think. People who learn to meditate are able to concentrate deeply on a single subject, achieving control over the mind and depth of understanding that is quite distinct from contemplation.
Physical movement is an enemy of meditation. The philosopher who fell in a hole when he was deep in thought was rudely distracted and if he had been meditating instead of thinking he would not have had the accident. Meditation requires stillness, first of the body and then the mind. A second prerequisite is quietness and that is best secured through physical stillness.
High flying academics are often distinguished by their capacity to think with single minded purpose about a literary or mathematical problem that besets them. This mental concentration may seem like meditation but it is not because it is more likely to stimulate the mind and make it restless. However an important aspect of meditation is that it calms the mind, so in this respect intellectual focus is very different.
Diverse religions use meditation as means of prosecuting their purposes. However, in itself the practice of meditation is not the preserve of any one religion. Religion and meditation may have the same outcomes but it is not necessary to subscribe to a particular religious dogma in order to learn how to meditate.
However, religious practice and meditation have a great deal in common. Both require discipline. In order to meditate a person needs to exclude all distractions, and perhaps keep repeating a mantra which is a word, sound or even a prayer. This cannot be sustained indefinitely and so successful meditation becomes a concentrated effort that ends in a sense of relaxation and peace.
Another benefit of learning how to meditate is self knowledge. This can come through self control and also through focusing some meditation on one's place in the scheme of things. In eastern religions particularly much emphasis is placed on knowing the self. That may be a reason why meditation often plays a significant role in such religions.
The health benefits of meditation may not be scientifically well documented, but that goes for many aspects of health. Doctors are often slow to talk about the role of stress in health issues but it is common knowledge that various kinds of stress do play significant roles in disease and health afflictions. It seems to be a logical assumption that if stress can be reduced simply through the force of the mind and will there will be health benefits.
It is not easy to learn to meditate. Time must be set aside for stillness and busy people do not always feel that sitting still and concentrating the mind on a single subject is something that they have time for. At first they may fret as they close themselves away from urgent demands upon their attention. It has to be understood that doing what may seem irrelevant does have long term significance as a time saving practice. Moreover, once the art of meditation has been learnt the daily session can becomes so satisfying that it may easily be accepted as a priority.
Learn to meditate and live a stress-free life. You can get excellent tips on how to meditate on our website at www.meditationgeneration.com today.
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