Meditations Background and Intent

Meditations background and intentThe practice of meditation is not something new. Research shows that the art of practicing meditation dates back more than 5000 years. Over time, various different groups have evolved the practice of meditation according to their own belief systems and preferences. Therefore, it is not surprising to find that today there are so many different meditation styles a person could choose from, to suit their own needs.

Taking the time to learn a little more about the different types of meditation styles and its origins will allow an individual to make a more informed decision on which style or type would be most suitable.

Initially thought to be a practiced art form that is heavily connected to some form of religious beliefs, meditation is now accepted as simply a practice of seeking to connect body and mind in a holistic manner to benefit the individual’s daily existence.

Today a large segment of society turns to the use of meditation as a stress reduction tool, a relaxation tool or as a self-improvement tool. There have been many positive results documented due to the use of meditation for these purposes, but to date, scientific researchers are still unable to conclusively acknowledge just how the mechanisms of meditation works.

Many people going through difficult phases in their lives turn to meditation for relief. Whether it is physical or mental, the problems faced by people today are growing at a rate that is not only alarming but also creates the need to seek solutions in as many ways as possible. This is one of the reasons why meditation is such a sought after and highly recommended exercise.

Some meditation styles encourage the practitioner to keep the mind focused on a particular element, while other meditation styles require the practitioner to chant certain phrases or words to keep the mind from wandering. There are also styles that encourage the practitioner to focus on certain breathing techniques.

 

The different origins of meditations background

meditations background“Meditation begins with a call that awakes us out of the coma of self-preoccupation. We are called, we are chosen. Meditation is our response to that call from the deepest center of our awakened consciousness…by letting to in meditation we learn how to love.”
Throughout history, there is clear evidence to show that human beings did turn to various different types of meditation styles for equally different reasons.

There is evidence of meditation being used during Hindu traditions in ancient India, followed by some evidence of meditation being practiced in China by Taoists. Japanese Buddhism also has its own meditation style, which is said to be the start of the sitting meditation. Jewish meditation started as a deeply religious activity, which was not centered only on the meditation exercise but was part of a combination of prayer, mitzvoth and study.

There is also the Islamic meditation style, which involves the practice of thinking to bring forth knowledge. This later evolved to include the concentrated focus on various different breathing techniques and the chanting of holy words. Christian meditation usually involves the repetition of a phrase, which is uttered while maintaining a specific physical posture. Although there is evidence that there are inclusions of other smaller and less significant aspects borrowed, the basis still remains very much the same even until today.

There is, however, a significant difference between the Eastern Christian meditation style and the Western Christian meditation style. While the eastern style requires certain steps to be followed, the western one is comparatively easy because it is less structured.

Although now practiced universally, meditation is often a sought after indulgence, based on different goals and purposes. Some practice meditation because of the desire to understand the conscious mind and its connection to the body. Others have a deeper quest in mind when they turn to meditation, and this is usually to try to find answers to fundamental questions about the origins and nature of life. The brain is able to better sieve through the onslaught of information because of meditation, which is meant to heighten awareness.

Self-realization and spiritual connection is predominantly why meditation was practiced in ancient times, and there are many notables found throughout history encouraging meditation for this very purpose. The idea of being disciplined and purified enough to practice meditation did have a significant attraction to those willing to make the sacrifice needed.

Mantra is supposed to be the evidence that links the human brain and its ability to stay concentrated and focused. The “mantra” phase is said to have enabled ancient man to reach a threshold in their evolution, which is evident in the array of tools used.

Mindfulness is the evidence of putting things into perspective while being able to stay detached. Here, there is a clear indication of how man reacts to elements such as love and compassion. Being able to focus and then detach from feelings and information is how mindfulness meditation came about. Today many meditation techniques have been able to combine mantra and mindfulness, which are the origins of modern consciousness.

Therefore, it would be appropriate to note that the history of meditation can be linked to the evolution of ancient practices that created the link between the mind, body and different levels of awareness.

As these roots may stem from mostly religious origins it is awesome to see how the practice of meditation has evolved.

Understanding the basic principles behind the different practices will allow you to build the perfect meditation program to help fit your desires and life needs.

The meditation mastery plan is the perfect foundation to help educate you on all of the fundamental practices that will get you started on a successful meditation program.

Whether you want to increase your productivity, get better sleep, increase your positive outlook, overcome anxiety, become more relaxed or expand your awareness there are meditative practices to help you focus on all of these areas.

Remember not all meditation practices are the same and offer the same benefits. Learn which ones are right for you and start your practice today.

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