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What is meditation?

Despite all its popularity, today very few of us truly know what meditation is. Some regard meditation is the mental concentration on something, others consider that we meditate when we imagine something that gives us peace or satisfaction. All these methods are being with one goal to slow down and, eventually, completely stop the incessant activity of our minds. These exercises are not really meditation – they are substitutes for meditation because it is normally very difficult to stop our minds all-together. In reality, meditation is a state of thoughtless awareness. It is not an act of doing – it is a state of awareness. We either in this state or we are not, regardless of what we are doing in life. Truly, a man can be in meditation while doing his day’s labors as another man can be very far from meditation while sitting in a lotus posture on the top of a mountain.

When we take a look at the various explanations of meditation, another thing we often see is that meditation is defined as taking a moment to sit quietly or to ponder. True meditation, however is much more than this. It is a state of profound, deep peace that occurs when the mind is calm and silent, yet completely alert. This is just the beginning of an inner transformation that takes us to a higher level of awareness. This enables us to fulfill our true human potential. The problem, of course, is how to achieve this state.

Meditation is not…

Concentration
Concentration is an effort to fix the attention on a particular object or idea for a long period of time. The techniques used in visualization are another type of concentration.

Loss of control
Sounds, voices, colors and involuntary movements have nothing to do with meditation or spirituality. These are symptoms of loss of awareness and loss of control over some parts of ourselves.

Exercises
Exercises, such as postures and breathing, do not constitute meditation. They may help establish some balance if under the guidance of a true master (a realized soul). Their practice without a true spiritual goal only leads to an imbalance in the right channel.

Mental effort
Thoughtless awareness is achieved through the raising of the Kundalini. To get rid of blockages that prevent her ascent, we use the hands and introspection but never mental effort (e.g., the continuous repetition of “I must stop thinking”).

Why meditation?

Meditation, Flowers and scented candle Meditation is seen by a number of researchers as potentially one of the most effective forms of stress reduction. [1] While stress reduction techniques have been cultivated and studied in the West for approximately 70 years, the data indicates that they are not consistently effective. [2]

Meditation however, has been developed in Eastern cultures and has a documented history of more than several thousand years. Eastern meditative techniques have been developed, trialed and refined over hundreds of generations with the specific intention of developing a method by which the layperson can regularly attain a state of mental peace and tranquillity, ie. relief from stress. It is a strategy that can easily be adapted to the needs of clinicians and their patients in the West.

A US study for example, showed that a short course of behaviour modification strategies that included meditation led to significantly fewer visits to physicians during the six months that followed. The savings were estimated at over $200 per patient . [3] A study of insurance statistics showed that the use of medical care was significantly less for meditators compared to nonmeditators. [4]

The growing emphasis on:

quality of life outcomes
concepts such as psychoneuroimmunology or mind–body medicine and
reducing healthcare costs
suggest that stress reduction and improving mental health are becoming increasingly relevant to healthcare.

Some key points about meditation

meditation-effortless Meditation can be an effective form of stress reduction and has the potential to improve quality of life and decrease healthcare costs.

Meditation is effortless and leads to a state of ‘thoughtless awareness’ in which the excessive stress producing activity of the mind is neutralised without reducing alertness and effectiveness.

Authentic meditation enables one to focus on the present moment rather than dwell on the unchangeable past or undetermined future.

There is little quality evidence comparing one meditation technique with another or meditation with relaxation techniques.

The theoretical explanation for the effects of meditation and relaxation techniques is that the release of catecholamines and other stress hormones are reduced and parasympathetic activity is increased.

Whether meditation involves other unique neurophysiological effects remains to be proven.

[1] Hassed C. Meditation in general practice. Aust Fam Physician 1996; 25(8):1257–1260.
[2] West M (ed). The psychology of meditation. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1987.
[3] Achterberg J. Mind body interventions, meditation. In: Berman B. Alternative medicine, expanding medical horizons. Washington DC: Office of Alternative Medicine, National Institute of Health, 1992.
[4] McSherry. Medical economics. In: Wedding D, ed. Medicine and behaviour. St Louis: Mosby and Co, 1990 : 463 – 484 .

Next: How does meditation work?

49 comment(s) so far, want to say something now?

Sharada Darbha
Dec 3, 2009

Its the only way to be human .
one has to experience tha taste of the sugar to describe how sweet it is similarly one ha sto experience sahaj to be just human .For there is no other simplest way to understand what we are & what we were missing so far ……..

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2
anita paquet
Dec 18, 2009

Hi,

I would like to know what locations in Toronto have free meditation workshops.

Anita

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admin
December 18th, 2009

Hi Anita,

Please check the following link for meditation classes in Toronto
http://www.freemeditation.com/meditation-classes/ontario/#Toronto

All the best

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3
John
Dec 29, 2009

Look, Meditation is a process by which you can control your nerve system according to you and live long life with out disease and tension free.

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4
dr.mani verma
Dec 29, 2009

i learned sahaj yoga by one of my very good frn marina.thnx to u marina.this has totally changed my life.
i m getting more success,peace,love n joy day by day.

love u shri mataj

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5
Aniket
Jan 17, 2010

Hi,

I want to know what location in mumbai near (Thane) have free meditation classes.

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soham
June 14th, 2010
Centre at Thane is at Bedekar vidaya mandir on Friday 7 pm to 8 pm
There are many centres at Thane like Sri Maa school, etc

Do contact me for more information if needed.

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r. nair
February 18th, 2013
I reside at vasant vihar thane west. could u pls let me know if u have any centres near to my place.

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6
Nigel Coates
Jan 27, 2010

To me the definition of meditation is similar to ‘Love’. You can try to explain it to someone, but unless they have experienced it – they wont really ‘get it’.
One of my first teachers set me the challenge to meditate while washing up. I thought he was joking – until i achieved it. It took me a little longer, but it was a pleasure, not a chore

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Nanda Kumar
September 21st, 2011
You are right, its like cool breeze of air touching you smoothly and we feel it but can’t see it explain it.

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K C Gupta
February 14th, 2012
state of mediatation start with the thoughless wawreness state. One can enjoy this state for couple of min./hrs. It make changes in approch/behaviour of individual one to act with love & compassion.

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7
carlos villanueva aguilera
Feb 6, 2010

mi comentario se trata de los vídeos y meditacion guiada,que si fueran posible que fueran en español,ya que no domino el idioma ingles.
Atentamente:Carlos villanueva a.

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8
srinivasa rao j
Mar 2, 2010

Very nice article i learned some new things from this and requesting you to continue this.
with nirmal love
srinivas

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9
Anitha.D,
Mar 22, 2010

Hi,
I would like to know if you have any mediation classes in Sydney

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10
admin
Mar 23, 2010

Hi Anita

Here is the link.
http://www.sahajayoga.com.au/sahaja_yoga_meetings/index.shtml

Hope you will find a center nearby.

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11
Dawn
Apr 30, 2010

I would like to know if there are any free meditation classes in Calgary, AB or Sahaja Yoga meetings.

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admin
May 2nd, 2010

Hello Dawn,
Yes, there is a Sahaja Yoga meetings in Calgary. Here is the link for the info:
http://www.meditationcanada.ca/

Best wishes

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12
Binaural Beats
Jun 21, 2010

This is a very good artical, i think it clears up some common missconceptions about meditation

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13
MCSE courses UK
Aug 10, 2010

It works to get out of mental stress.

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14
C L Patel
Aug 30, 2010

True- Meditation is the State of “Thoughtless Awareness” in which we have just to be.

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15
jyotsna
Sep 14, 2010

HI!……….

HOW CAN I FEEL THE COOLBREEZ ?

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16
Carol
Sep 22, 2010

Hi
I have not meditated for a while but have previously found when I do it feels like I sink into a very deep place. The only problem I have, if indeed it is a problem, is that if I am in room with others something seems to happen and I pick up their thoughts. For example, one time I kept seeing pictures of giant leeks – very odd you might think. But later when we were chatting with our tea I found out that the lady opposite me had leeks for dinner and had been thinking about how she had enjoyed them. As I say I dont know whether that is a problem or not, I am just aware that it always happens, often with more profound messages or memories for others, and the more I do relax the more information comes in.

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17
Anselm
Sep 28, 2010

Hi,
I am using meditation to reunite mySelf with the Infinite Intelligence within me… because, for a very long time now, I’ve become an elien to this Life-giving Force, and I’ve payed, and continue to pay the price. I need your advice on how to utilise meditation to reconnect with divine habits and forsake impure thoughts! I need your advice on how to utilise meditation to become a channel of Infinite Wisdom, an agent of Peace, and a delegate of Divinity! How can I improve and become a better person, in order to be of greater service to mankind? I want to serve. I want to serve. Can you help me?
Thanks, Anselm.

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18
paul benjamin
Dec 1, 2010

i think meditation is the state where one feel God presence within him;the first manifestation of God within us is Absolute silence of all in us ,i mean all ours senses, mental, body;the moment one can know he is meditating is the presence of cool breeze on sahasrara;more one goes deeply in meditation more we feel it on sahasrara;but we meditate to be in harmony withn God within us;ithink it means seing Him,hearing Him, talking with Him in meditation; seing shree Mataji in meditation is not an hallucination,it is just a part of our ascent

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19
marco
Dec 17, 2010

hello,
when can we expect to have a sahaja meditation center in south west miami.
sincerely ,
marc

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20
Krishan
Apr 11, 2011

Hi,

I would like to know what locations in Bangalore have free meditation workshops.

Krishan giri

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21
Mithun Gupta
May 3, 2011

Can any one help me with any Meditation center in Delhi

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Sunaina
June 2nd, 2011
where in delhi? could you please tell your location?

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22
Sunaina
Jun 2, 2011

Thanks for such a wonderful news letter. it really very helpfull. Very few from us know this fact that Medititation is a Sahaj process. It can happen in a balanced stage we can not attain this stage forcely.

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23
Ankit
Jun 18, 2011

Its a nice and crisp article and I must say very well composed article. Thanks for sharing.

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24
Meditation
Jul 15, 2011

Hi

First off all I want to say thanks for sharing this meaningful post about meditations. All definitions of meditation is absolutely correct.

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25
luke
Aug 22, 2011

I havent meditated for about 10 years can someone help me get back into it
if so I thak you very much

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26
luke
Aug 22, 2011

is there any meditation classes in tallahassee FL

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27
Sarah
Sep 27, 2011

I would like to know of any free meditation classes in M iddlesex or London uk?

Thanks

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28
Heather T
Oct 10, 2011

Hi there, are there any classes available in London, Ontario, Canada?

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29
Prof.Vijay Karmarkar
Oct 28, 2011

It is true that Meditation is a State of Mind and it requires lot of practice to be in such meditative state always.
The main hurdle is our Mind itself.This supreme unit of energy in our brain is so dynamic and fragile that it reaches unknown,unfathomable dimensions in split seconds and comes back to present as quickly. Here it is important to note that certain level of materialistic happiness only will lead to inner happiness. Soul searching will follow only when stomach searching is satisfied.That is when our mind is preoccupied with essential priorities of life,we can not get into meditation.Also when we seek god it is but for some solution to something we named as Problem.Our wonderful computer called mind is always busy in searching,analysing,reasoning,fighting,debating with ourselves splitting into two and struggling to acquire that precious moment of peace throughout life.That is why Meditation is sought after.
Hope this thought may generate more enquiry into “Sahajayoga” the most scientific way of getting into mediattive state of mind.

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31
gyan
Feb 13, 2012

Joy or happiness is not in exernal things. It is in our subtle spiritual body which is within our gross physical body. So let us feel our spiritual body.
To look at ourself again and again is to move to the endless adventure of self-discovery and realisation of happiness.
If we want to enjoy bliss always, then we should turn inward and look at (feel) ourself. Happiness will come from ourself in abundance.
Let us start loving ourself.

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32
Andrea
Mar 16, 2012

This door has been opened to me by Mr. Gregoire de Kalbermatten during his latest book’s ” LEGEND OF DAGAD TRIKON ” presentation , 2 weeks ago , on March 2, in Bratislava. I went there because I read the book and am a big fan of it so I ordered some more books for my friends and expected from that evening not much more but getting the books signed by the author. But I got so much more! I got the self- realization in the most amazing way! Thank you very much, Mother , for giving me my second birth, and sahaja joga!

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33
Jack Daniels
Mar 23, 2012

Can you recommend a meditation center in New York City. There are many there, however, some are bogus.

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34
Ashish Sood
Mar 28, 2012

video not playing

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35
Seren
Apr 9, 2012

Haribol and Namaste I am new to Meditation and have done much reading over the last two days. It appears as though ‘some’ people that i have either met or from the statements i have read over the internet, that they see only their own type of meditation as the ‘ony’ way!! An they ridicule other types of meditation !! This seems bizarre when they have not sought to acquire answers through practice of the meditation that they do not do!! Trying to put me off Sahaja Med only wants me to practice to estabish ‘any’ benefits! Surely one of the reasons we shoud meditaten is to show compassion, facilitate awareness, endorse peace, love and harmony etc etc?? lol Peace to all , Seren x

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36
Seren
Apr 9, 2012

I would love to meet people around Surrey , UK to meditate together! Seems as though the med centres are quite some distance from me! Perhaps I should becme a med instructor and start my own class?? hehe Seren x

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Lianne
May 1st, 2012
I would come, I new to meditating I used to meditate years ago but I wasn’t actually aware that I was meditating!…..I think there is a centre in south Croydon…google it..xxx

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37
prabhakar
Apr 18, 2012

Kindly suggest me the free mediation centers in Kalyan (E).

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38
prastuti
May 8, 2012

very apptly written ……….i hav strated practising it ……:)

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39
AboutMeditation
May 23, 2012

Thank you for this fantastic outline of meditation for beginners.

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bem jime
Sep 9, 2012

Need to improve for smooth living.

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41
A.P.Saldanha
Sep 13, 2012

Hi
I want to know ..meditation centers in Thane city pls.

Thanks

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42
Multivitamin Easy To Swallow
Oct 10, 2012

Meditation is as powerful as anyone thought it would be. It leads to a deeper level of relaxation. Is is totally free and you should start meditating now to feel the benefits.

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emil
Oct 17, 2012

it seems that makes me more humble

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jarnail singh
Oct 24, 2012

Meditation leads to thoughtless awareness state of mind that is essence of self realization. A few moments of meditation takes me deep in my self . Wandering clouds of doubt and fear begins to fade and give way to calm, cool and serene environs within. Find and realize divinity within is aim of each soul. A few moments of thoughtless awareness refreshes body, mind and energize to take stride ahead.

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45
hemant
Nov 1, 2012

fBrothers and sisters,true love is inside us.It’s the only truth we find when we meditate honestly.Pleasurable rays is discovering whole body and this makes me addict towards meditation.I feel very calm,silence even in opposite surrounding situtations.This technique made me change from evil to human..I love god which is inside us and want to meet him curiously a

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46
Ranjana
Nov 2, 2012

Thankyou.It made me thoughtless.

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m.vijay kumar
November 15th, 2012
meditation is one of the very good mid relef ness.

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47
t
Nov 30, 2012

my sister reports loss of control-unable to move or have complete control of the body; and colored lights .should this concern her?

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Krishna Prasad Bhusal
Jan 2, 2013

I would be grateful if you could tell me if there is any free meditation center in Kathmandu, Nepal?

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49
Shane Sommerville
Jan 30, 2013

Hey looking to get into meditation, Dont know where to start was wondering if there was any free meditaion gathering in Fort St John,B.C

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50
kajol
Feb 26, 2013

it is awesom and has motivated me to concentrate in my studies

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Learn how to meditate!

Meditation can be an effective form of stress reduction and has the potential to improve quality of life and decrease health care costs. Meditation involves achieving a state of 'thoughtless awareness' in which the excessive stress producing activity of the mind is neutralized without reducing alertness and effectiveness.

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