| Meditation is practiced by various groups, both | | | | referred to as prayers by some members. There |
| religious and non religious. It involves seclusion of | | | | is a difference between the two in that |
| an individual or a group of persons and seeking to | | | | meditation often involves quite prayers offered in |
| focus on the higher purpose in life. | | | | quite places. There are special groups that have |
| There are various ways of meditating. Some of | | | | been founded to meditate. A group of monks |
| the ways are inspired by the religious teachings or | | | | formed by John Main, a Benedictine monk 1975 |
| traditions passed down the generations. More | | | | has emerged to be on1975 has emerged as a |
| often than not, it involves a quiet moment and | | | | strong meditation group. Other meditation forms |
| focus on a single thing. It may also be referred to | | | | include recounting of the certain words as is the |
| as prayers offered in serenity. | | | | case in rosary prayers. The memorization of |
| Among the Buddhists, meditation is inspired by | | | | biblical verses and recounting them over a period |
| Buddha himself (Siddhartha Gautama) who is said | | | | of time or chanting specific prayers is also a |
| to have gotten inspiration for the religion's | | | | common form of meditation. |
| teaching while meditating under the Bodhi tree. | | | | In the Muslim tradition, there are various schools |
| The followers are inspired to conduct their | | | | of meditations. These include Tafakkur which is a |
| meditation in similar style. The goal in Buddha | | | | meditation to reflect on the universe. It enables |
| meditation is to be able to focus on one thing as | | | | one to be become self aware and also aware of |
| it brings you enlightenment. During the meditation | | | | god. The individual also gains inner growth through |
| exercise, the mediators focus their attention on | | | | learning to be submissive to both men and god. |
| their god and you to keep off other thoughts. It | | | | Whatever the form of meditation, there is a |
| equally leads to enlightening and is called samatha. | | | | common factor, that of having to seek a higher |
| Vipassana is a form of meditation that seeks to | | | | being. It takes seeking the inner purpose and |
| reveal the truth in nature. It gives perspective to | | | | seeking connection with cosmic. The results are |
| the individual that hopefully results in harmony | | | | often admirable as it leads to more respectful, |
| with the environment and the neighbours. | | | | tolerant and humble men and women. |
| The Christians have meditation though also | | | | |