Meditation
Meditation is a practice in which an individual uses a technique or combination of techniques to train attention and awareness and detach from "discursive, ruminating thought", achieving a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state, while not intending to analyze the effects, to judge its outcomes, or to create any expectation with regard to the process.
Meditation techniques are broadly classified into focused (or concentrative) and open monitoring methods. Focused methods involve attention to specific objects like breath or mantras, while open monitoring includes mindfulness and awareness of subjective experiences in the present moment, and can also involve the active cultivation of wisdom.
Meditation is practiced in various religious traditions, and it is also practiced independently from any religious or spiritual influences for its health benefits. The earliest records of meditation (dhyana) are found in the Upanishads, and meditation plays a salient role in the contemplative repertoire of Jainism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism. Meditation-like techniques are also known in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in the context of remembrance of and prayer and devotion to God.
Asian meditative techniques have spread to other cultures where they have found application in non-spiritual contexts, such as business and health. Several meta-analyses of clinical studies of mindfulness have demonstrated its mental and physical health benefits. Initially criticized for methodological weaknesses, meditation research now commonly employs randomized controlled trials, active control groups, and stronger methodological standards. Research is ongoing to better understand the effects of meditation on psychological, neurological, and cardiovascular health among other areas.
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