The term meditation refers to a group of techniques, most of which started in Eastern religious or spiritual traditions. These techniques have been used by many different cultures throughout the world for thousands of years. Today, many people use meditation outside of its traditional religious or cultural settings, for health and wellness purposes. In meditation, a person learns to focus his attention and suspend the stream of thoughts that normally occupy the mind. This practice is believed to result in a state of greater physical relaxation, mental calmness, and psychological balance. Practicing meditation can change how a person relates to the flow of emotions and thoughts in the mind.
Many meditators prefer a quiet place with as few distractions as possible. This can be particularly helpful for beginners. People who have been practicing meditation for a longer period of time sometimes develop the ability to meditate in public places, like waiting rooms or buses. Depending on the type being practiced, meditation can be done while sitting, lying down, standing, walking, or in other positions. Focusing one’s attention is usually a part of meditation. For example, the meditator may focus on a mantra (a specially chosen word or set of words), an object, or the breath. Having an open attitude during meditation means letting distractions come and go naturally without stopping to think about them. When distracting or wandering thoughts occur, they are not suppressed; instead, the meditator gently brings attention back to the focus. In some types of meditation, the meditator learns to observe the rising and falling of thoughts and emotions as they spontaneously occur.
People use meditation for various health problems, such as anxiety, pain, depression, mood and self-esteem problems, stress, insomnia, and physical or emotional symptoms that may be associated with chronic illnesses like heart disease, HIV/AIDS and cancer. Meditation is also used for overall wellness. A large national survey on Americans’ use of complimentary and alternative medicine, released in 2004, found that nearly 8 percent of the participants had used meditation specifically for health reasons during the previous year.
Source: National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
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