The History of Meditation - Meditation Throughout the Ages

Meditation is considered to be one of the mostThough traditional methods of meditation can be
effective tools of good living worldwide. Thoughfound in Yoga and other religious books, several
first references of this technique are found inreligious gurus have introduced a range of new
ancient Hindu scriptures, almost all religiousand different techniques. Broadly, modern
doctrines adapted meditation as a chiefmeditation techniques are grouped into two types
instrument of maintaining a healthy balance of- Zen-based type focusing on insight and
body and mind.Concentrative type.
Meditation beginningsConcentrative
Geographically, the tradition of meditation startedIn Concentrative meditation, which is a part of
in the northern part of Indian subcontinent butHinduism, the Meditator has to focus the attention
later it spread radially throughout the continent ofon his breath or a mantra or an image and slowly
Asia and then on to other continents. Around 500attain a calm stage of mind. According to this
BC, rise of Gautam Buddha played an importantschool, there is a direct correlation of breath and
part in spreading this tradition to the deepestmind. Following the rhythm of inhalation and
corners of both mainland and island countries ofexhalation is the most natural way of getting into
Asia. As per Sufism, advent of meditationmeditation. Yoga Nidra is one of the popular
practices took place since inception of Islam astechniques of this school.
prophet Mohammed was a dedicated Meditator.Zen
Jainism, Judaism, Christianity and even manyIn Zen based form, the meditator has to gather
indigenous religions too have references ofthe array of thoughts, feelings and sounds etc
meditation practices.that are crowded in his mind. He has to bar
In occidental countries, meditation became popularhimself from reacting and thus attaining a more
from the last decades of 19th century whensound and clear mind with deep insight. Thich Nhat
religious gurus of international reputation likeHanh's Mindful Meditation is another popular
Swami Vivekananda propounded the benefits oftechnique of this category.
meditation to western citizens. But after theAmong other unique techniques, Osho's Active or
1960's when celebrities started adapting thisDynamic meditation and Krishnamurthy's technique
practice, commoners began to show moreis worth mentioning. Osho's technique involves no
interests on the subject than earlier.static posture of the Meditator. It begins with an
What is meditation?intense physical activity. According to
Meditation is a mental exercise which helps youKrishnamurthy, meditation is all about knowing
relax through a process of gradual seclusion, soyourself. You have to concentrate on knowing
that you can explore more out of you. Accordingyour inner self to achieve awareness, which is the
to etymological roots, the word meditationprincipal aim of meditation. There are many other
originally comes form an Indo-European wordtechniques that revolutionized the concept of
'med' meaning 'to measure'. But the inclusion ofmeditation such as Jacobson's Progressive Muscle
the word meditation in English dictionary occurredRelaxation, Herbert Benson's Transcendental
through Latin Meditation, meaning any kind ofmeditation etc. Acoustic and photic beats are also
intellectual or physical exercise. In English themost recent techniques of meditation where
meaning has been modified to indicatebinaural beats are used to relax the mind and
contemplation, with the basic essence of thebody.
subject remaining the same.