− | '''Meditation''' describes a state of concentrated [[attention]] on some object of [[thought]] or [[awareness]]. It usually involves turning the attention inward to a single point of reference.[http://www.spiritual.com.au/dictionary/dict_m.html Spiritual Dictionary]. The benefits of the practice can engender a higher state of consciousness. Meditation is recognized as a component of [[eastern religions]], where it has been practiced for over 5,000 years. The Bhagavad-Gita and Jivana Yoga By Ramnarayan Vyas (Hatha Yoga: Its Context, Theory and Practice By Mikel Burley) (Zen Buddhism: A History (India and China By Heinrich Dumoulin, James W. Heisig, Paul F. Knitter). Different meditative disciplines encompass a wide range of spiritual and/or psychophysical practices which can emphasize development of either a high degree of mental concentration, or the apparent converse, mental [[quiescence]]. | + | '''Meditation''' describes a state of concentrated [[attention]] on some object of [[thought]] or [[awareness]]. It usually involves turning the attention inward to a single point of reference.[http://www.spiritual.com.au/dictionary/dict_m.html]. The benefits of the practice can engender a higher state of consciousness. Meditation is recognized as a component of [[eastern religions]], where it has been practiced for over 5,000 years. The Bhagavad-Gita and Jivana Yoga By Ramnarayan Vyas (Hatha Yoga: Its Context, Theory and Practice By Mikel Burley) (Zen Buddhism: A History (India and China By Heinrich Dumoulin, James W. Heisig, Paul F. Knitter). Different meditative disciplines encompass a wide range of spiritual and/or psychophysical practices which can emphasize development of either a high degree of mental concentration, or the apparent converse, mental [[quiescence]]. |
| The word meditation comes from the [[Latin]] ''meditatio'', which originally indicated every type of physical or intellectual exercise, then later evolved into the more specific meaning "[[contemplation]]." | | The word meditation comes from the [[Latin]] ''meditatio'', which originally indicated every type of physical or intellectual exercise, then later evolved into the more specific meaning "[[contemplation]]." |