When one thinks of meditation some will think of someone sitting cross-legged on the floor, with fingers in a funny position, repeating a simple word or sound such as “ooommm”. However, meditation is much deeper and richer a practice than just the one practice encompassing many forms.
This fourth article in the mindfulness, prayer, and meditation series examines meditation, the many forms it can take and its benefits to mental and physical health.
Defining Meditation
The word “meditate” originally meant to think deeply about something but today in western civilization it has morphed not an exercise focusing attention rather than deep thinking or reflection.
Meditation is not about becoming a different person but is focused on training in awareness and getting a healthy sense of perspective on one’s life. In meditation you are not training to turn off your emotions or feelings, rather you are learning to observe them without judgment so that you might begin to understand them better.
Meditation is a family of mental practices that are designed to align a person’s mental processes by using three modes. These three modes include:
Awareness allows awareness to remain present and undistracted while disengaging from the world around you.
Concentration focuses attention on a single internal or external object.
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