Meditation is a way of private devotion or mental exercise, in which techniques of concentration and contemplation are used to reach a heightened level of spiritual awareness. Meditation has existed in all religions, in some manner or form, since ancient times. Including visualization (techniques) with meditation helps with grounding, focusing, directing, centering personal energy, and bringing forth true self awareness.
In Hinduism, for example, it has been systematized into the many philosophical schools and classifications of Yoga. One aspect of Yoga, Dhyana (Sanskrit meaning "concentrated meditation"), gave rise to a school of its own among the Buddhists, thus becoming the basis of Zen. In many religions, meditation involves verbal or mental repetition of a single syllable, word, or text known as a "mantra". Visual images, such as a "mandala", or mechanical devices as candles, prayer wheels, rosaries, brass bells and cymbals, metal singing bowls, drumming, and meditation pillows can be useful in focusing one's concentration. These tools can assist in channeling the Shakti (energy) of one's Ch'i or Qi (internal vital energy) thus having the potential to bring one deep within their subconsciousness.
During the 20th century, Transcendental Meditation or TM emerged as a non-religious meditation form and technique that did not required, and still does not, a particular belief system or change in one's lifestyle. TM can be learned by anyone regardless of age, race, occupation, or level of education. Having a general foundation of understanding in Yoga, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism will enhance one's meditative experiences as well as concentration of attention, visualization, and being aware of one's own body and inner resources.
Meditation can lower one's blood pressure, improve health and well being, reduce anxiety and stress, slow down aging, change breathing patterns, improve perception, increase productivity, promote deeper restful sleep, and more from thought to action to self liberation.
