What is Meditation: Definition & Different Types by Culture
It must be important, then right?
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://cdn.pbrd.co/images/apvzhsZR5.jpg)
It has many meanings, all depending on who is using it. But it is just a word, a label, in Buddhist terms. The techniques are very different between different cultures but the idea is roughly the same.
![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmcdhnPpDxgAY2UvU1mmRMkEzoB3y7A5ibcpJSpaQ3h3qW/Namaste_small.png)
Synonyms: contemplation, thought, thinking, musing, pondering, consideration, reflection, deliberation, rumination, brooding, reverie, brown study, concentration and a lot more. (Source: Google)
Definition of
meditated; meditating
Intransitive verb
1 : to engage in contemplation or reflection He meditated long and hard before announcing his decision.
2 : to engage in mental exercise (such as concentration on one's breathing or repetition of a mantra) for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness
Transitive verb
1 : to focus one's thoughts on : reflect on or ponder over He was meditating his past achievements.
2 : to plan or project in the mind : intend, purpose He was meditating revenge.
(Source: Merriam Webster)
![pexels-photo-267559.jpeg](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://steemitimages.com/DQmZy883goyrDu6oSr4njnA9iGRuaSfmJfMNZ8vp6rCYdn3/pexels-photo-267559.jpeg)
Judeo-Christians:
Meditation is a combination of Prayer and Contemplation. Prayer being very spiritual in nature while contemplation is a period of conscious thought concerning a spiritual topic. So prayer is similar to that of reciting mantras and contemplation is a type of analytical meditation. The main connection of these is that of concentration.
Hinduism:
Yogic meditation is a very similar practice. It involves a conservative practice at its finest. It is a practice of single pointedness of the mind similar to Buddhism where one must focus the mind on a single object which could include a physical object, image or even a syllable from a chant. This practice is meant to be increased in difficulty with more complexity over time.
Buddhism:
Concentration is the most valued of practices. Through meditation, concentration, one must become aware of ones self. Build this state of awareness. There are many different types of meditation in different sects of Buddhism. Here are just a few:
- Zen Meditation is based on sitting (ZaZen). The goal is to meditate and become aware. It is a simple idea but yet very difficult to fully benefit. Zen does this by two different means. The first is to just dive right into meditation and the second is to trick the mind into reaching this state of awareness (Rinzai school of teaching). The latter can be accomplished by the student being in a situation with a lot of stress and one that seems unaccomplishable.
- Tantric Meditation is a practice where one must remove the ego. Removing this idea of "I" or "Me." It is believed that this hinders being fully aware. The way this is approached is through visualizations. The person is to become a deity from an image or teaching and separate themselves from their self-concept.
- Vipassana is one of the oldest practices and it originates from the scriptures of Satipatthana Sutta. Supposedly direct teachings of the Buddha himself. The cultivation of mindfulness(awareness) is meant to be gradual and direct in this method. Gentle but thorough its technique is a step by step process of noticing ones existence over time. In it we learn to actually sense what is around us. We learn to examine our thoughts without being attached. Ultimetly we are to learn impermanence, unsatisfactoriness and compassion (selflessness). It teaches that what we know now is delusion. In Pali it is vipassana bhavana, or seeing ourselves in a new way. Really just Insight or full understanding. It is known as "Insight Meditation."
Sikhism:
In Sikhism, meditation is about bringing all the thoughts to only one thought of the CREATOR. We have to get rid of the thoughts such as bondage, lust, greed, anxiety and fear by chanting and LISTENING to the word "Wahe - Guru". Once we reached at "thoughtless" stage, there are chances to open the "10th gate" or "Crown Chakra" and we wait there to be called by The Creator. For Sikhism Meditation is a way to move near the Creator, but not a guarantee to meet the Creator "if this is so then our meditation is bigger than The Creator and which can never be". We do meditation to get rid of our thought at our will and go to sit in front of Creator's doors and then it's the Creator's Mercy or Kindness when we get a call!
To learn more about Sikhism, following site can be visited: Mysimran.info
(Sikhism by: @mathworksheets)
![pexels-photo-12344.jpeg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmZ958xwmCf9jwPbaSzik2nFwQpX1VvSvfZUam35DiVBhu/pexels-photo-12344.jpeg)
The Buddhist meditation practices are among the oldest of all religions. Buddhism is around 2,500 years old. Compare that to other western religions. Do you know how old Christianity is? Hint: consider BC and AC.
Please make note below with your experiences with different types of meditation. Which have you used? Which have helped you? How long have you practiced this and how often?
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://steemitimages.com/DQmcdhnPpDxgAY2UvU1mmRMkEzoB3y7A5ibcpJSpaQ3h3qW/Namaste_small.png)
Please Support by upvoting, following and resteeming.
NAMASTE ( BOW ) and Thank you for reading, @nicnas
![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmcdhnPpDxgAY2UvU1mmRMkEzoB3y7A5ibcpJSpaQ3h3qW/Namaste_small.png)
In Sikhism, meditation is about bringing all the thoughts to only one thought of the CREATOR. We have to get rid of the thoughts such as bondage, lust, greed, anxiety and fear by chanting and LISTENING to the word "Wahe - Guru". Once we reached at "thoughtless" stage, there are chances to open the "10th gate" or "Crown Chakra" and we wait there to be called by The Creator. For Sikhism Meditation is a way to move near the Creator, but not a guarantee to meet the Creator "if this is so then our meditation is bigger than The Creator and which can never be". We do meditation to get rid of our thought at our will and go to sit in front of Creator's doors and then it's the Creator's Mercy or Kindness when we get a call! I learned it, not my experience.
To learn more about Sikhism, following site can be visited;
http://www.mysimran.info
Really cool. Thank you @mathworksheets. Can I add that in to the post?
Sure @nicnas, I will be more than happy for that.
@thejohalfiles you are a beast. I wish i could have upvoted my friend @mathworksheets for that much. He deserves it. :)
Upvoted followed and resteemed!!!
I did try the @randowhale for this post but not much luck, just gave 17% voting power!!
WOW thank you. I didnt realize how high it got. Amazing. That was an amazing thing you did for me. Thanks X1000
@nba05 made me aware of this @randowhale. It is cool!! Kids are smart these days!!
i saw the resteem. But i did one and it got skipped. I dont know why
He is your kid, it all makes sense
I see meditation as a technique of becoming aware of the impermanence of phenomena (including the self). From this ego identification rises all suffering. And by understanding that other beings are suffering as well, you can find compassion. We construct what we call reality by thoughts, language and action. So we are responsible for our actions. We are free to chose either good(1) or bad (0) , but we are not free from the consequences of our choices. Schrodinger said : Multiplicity is only apparent , in truth there is only one mind. And quantum physics has already proved quantum entanglement. Buddha meas to become quantum. To go beyond the duality of binary logic. to realise the emptiness, formlessness and illusion of mind. This is the key goal of meditation
Thanks @nicnas
You have been PROMOTED FREE for using the "promote" TAG (hashtag)
https://steemit.com/promoted/promote
very amazing. Thank You!
Your Very Welcome @nicnas
Keep STEEM N ON,
Frank
Meditation is good for us... I take practice basic Buddhism meditation (samatha bhavana=for calm and relaxation mind). Thank you for sharing ! :)
Yes, It is amazing for us. Keep relaxing your mind @happyphoenix . Thank You for posting.
I've been practicing meditation for well over a decade now and I have had amazing experiences as a result involving connection with the self, healing, but most useful, finding peace in chaos. I've worked with sacred circles, crystals, followed various esoteric studies, I lived as a hari krishna monk for a while traveled around india for a couple years, got really deep in the golden dawn for a while, the seven sacred flames, the I AM. I tried binaural beats magnetic movements. you name it. i'm a seeker, a wanderer, i walk all paths eventually.
A lot of experience. Nice pictures too. Thank you for sharing @aaronmda
Nice post. Meditation it's not what you think :-D
...Its what you do!
Is that what you mean? Thank you for commenting.
It's not what you think meaning, as with vipassana meditation,
which is breathing and sensing in awareness, not thinking.
A bit of dry humor, fails to translate well in the written word, sorry for the confusion
its cool. I think i got it but i see what you mean. Sometimes its hard to get the context. I was trying to make sure I didnt make a mistake but also interpret what you were saying. Thanks for the "joke." I love it.
As a long time meditator I like to say, meditation it's not what you think,
because lots of folks, not knowing, believe meditation is a way of thinking.
So it is for me, a sly way of seeing, who 'gets' it or doesn't :-D
good way to "see" it.
Indeed and in deed. Thanks :-)
Meditation leads to awakening.
Now everyone is learning it helps with their health. No matter what the reason meditation helps us unite with who we really are. Nice to meet you.
Very true. Thanks for the comment and nice to meet you too. Namaste.
I find meditation so relaxing and destressing
Yea that is an amazing result of it. If i get angry ill try a breathing exercise and meditate or just be mindful. It has done so much for my anxiety and stress levels over the last 10 years, I cannot imagine where i would be without it.