Meditation

Meditation is defined as a mind-body technique, which practices awareness, and induces tranquility in order to connect the mind and the body. It is also described as "mental fasting," implying clearing and cleansing of the mind by the absence of distractions and negative emotions (Leikin, 2003). It has shown to benefit its users psychologically, physically, as well as spiritually. Meditation works by bringing about a relaxed and healthy state by physiologically and biochemically altering the body. It is characterized as a state of rest, while allowing the body to become more alert. This is accomplished through a dramatic decrease in metabolism, in turn, relaxing breathing patterns, and thus slowing activity within the nervous system. Upon completion of meditation one is more likely to show faster reactions to certain stimuli, a greater level of creativity, and a more conscious understanding and comprehension (ICBS Inc., 2004). Vast health and spiritual benefits can be observed, as well. This paper will describe and discuss how meditation came about, the context in which it was used in the past, reasons for its use as compared to modern uses, as well as, ways in which meditating can heal the body and soul. It will also compare different forms of meditation, including; what each method entails, examples of postures to achieve each method, and results that can be achieved.

Meditation was originally practiced spirituality in many ancient religions, including Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, and most commonly, Buddhism. The founder of Buddhism, Siddharta Gotama became the master of the art of meditation and went on to teach it to his followers. He became known as "Buddha," ("Enlightened or Awakened One.") (Saunders, 2000). Buddhism is one of the world's oldest and largest religions, starting over 2500 years ago. With Buddha as their leader (not as their God), followers learn the Four Noble Truths; First, "all existence is suffering," secondly, "there is a cause for this suffering," third, "the cause may be brought to an end," and fourth, "the discipline necessary to bring it to an end is enlightenment (also known as, Buddhism)" (Saunders, 2000). Buddhists basic beliefs entail interconnectedness with everyone and everything, there is no beginning and no end (which involves the concept of reincarnation), and the law of "cause and effect," or kharma. (Saunders, 2000). However, Buddhists believe that kharma can be under our control with the practice of meditation. In this way, meditation can be used to "burn away" our bad kharma by replacing negative thoughts, actions, and attitudes with positive ones. Meditation brings the ones who practice it spiritually closer to the world, by reducing suffering and kharma and eventually allowing that person to become free both (Zen Mind International, 2004). This is just one example of religious use of meditation, which allows for spiritual benefits.

As mentioned, it is quite apparent that meditation carries spiritual benefits along with it, even without implementing religion. Although, presently, many people begin practicing meditation with the intent of achieving its physical benefits, most will go on to incorporate meditation into their spiritual well being (ICBS Inc.,2004). They find that meditation is a way in which to spiritually grow, and to become one with their God (if religious) and with the universe. They also find themselves more aware of their environment and their interconnectedness with the world around them, as well as feeling rejuvenated and possessing vitality, which compares with the feelings received by Buddhism. There are a few reasons and explanations for these similar feelings. For one, this interconnectedness is thought of coming from the act of emphasizing breathing and breathing exercises while meditating. By this act, one shares that breath with the world and the world shares breath with you (The Institute for Applied Meditation, Inc.,2004). Your body also is made up of and emits magnetic fields. Meditation and consciousness allows the body to emit the magnetic field further than usual, allowing for more communication, emotions, and feelings to be given off and received (The Institute for Applied Meditation Inc., 2004). Also, many people who practice meditation for its spiritual benefits claim that it allows them to find meaning and fulfillment in their life, allowing for a feeling of being accomplished, as well as easier acceptance of unwanted events, and more self-confidence (Trivieri, 2001). As you can see, regardless of whether meditation is used for religious or non-religious reasons, similar emotions and feelings are equated with both.

However, in addition to its spiritual benefits, meditation is used, today, in the health care field as a form of healing and disease prevention, both physically and psychologically. Although these medical benefits were recognized many years ago, meditation was not initially utilized for that purpose (Smith, 2004). The 1970s brought about the beginning of recognizing the vast range of health benefits accomplished by meditation, and using them for that purpose. Articles were first published in The Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, which discussed these advantages that meditation can produce(Lukoff, 2002). A huge advocator of meditation, named Dr. Herbert Benson, completed an enormous amount of research on stress combined with meditation in the 1970s, and published much of his findings in the Scientific American, American Journal of Physiology, and also wrote a book called The Relaxation Response (Lukoff, 2002). At Harvard, he studied how stress causes the sympathetic nervous system to become activated, producing what is commonly known as the "fight or flight" response (Castleman,1996). This response causes much undue stress on the body, including increased heart rate, increased respiratory rate, increased blood pressure, increased oxygen consumption, increased lactate production, increased cortisol production, as well as increased muscle tension. Through Benson's studies, it was proven that practicing meditation had the opposite effects of stress on the body (i.e. decreased heart rate, decreased respiratory rate, decreased blood pressure, decreased oxygen consumption, decreased lactate production, decreased cortisol production, and decreased muscle tension) (Castleman,1996). Benson then created a form of transcendental meditation (originally developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in India (Leikin,2003))that was non- religious, so that all people, regardless of whether they practice a religion or not, could enjoy the advantageous benefits that transcendental meditation produced on the body (Lukoff, 2002).

As discussed above, stress relief (induced by lowered heart, breathing, and respiratory rate, as well as lowered blood pressure,