Meditation is a topic that could take up volumes. Meditation has been described by some as profound, mystical or enlightening. While that may be true in some cases, it is primarily a practical technique for stress reduction, a healthy maintenance habit like brushing one’s teeth or regular exercise. Each meditation has value in itself but it can also be the groundwork for something deeper. For now, the primary goals of meditation are enough to consider.

Meditation has a multitude of scientifically verified benefits while at the same time, is a very simple process. There are many types of meditation, meditation on the breath, mindfulness meditation, prayerful meditation, the Jesus prayer, to name just a few. But probably the simplest and easiest to learn is mantra meditation. A mantra is often given several misleading definitions but in truth, it is simply a mental device. As a mental device, a mantra is a pleasant sound (even just a syllable) that is repeated mentally (or sometimes aloud). As the mantra is repeated, the mind gradually lets go of its attachment to other thoughts, becoming calmer, more settled and quietly focused. The mind finally becomes focused on itself, letting go of the mantra as well to arrive at a one-pointed awareness that is not devoid of thoughts, but has transcended thought to arrive at the source of thought. From this self aware vantage point, the mind is content to reside in that present moment. Should a thought arise in the mind, one can actually perceive it as it forms, moves through one’s consciousness and finally fades. This experience does not interfere with the calm experience of transcendence as long as the meditator does not form an attachment to the thought, quietly observes it and then gently returns to the focusing device of the mantra to follow it back down to a calm silence.

This process will be described in greater detail later but it is important to notice that this process seems very mechanical. That’s because it is very mechanical. Being a mechanical technique is actually of great importance. The fact is that this mechanical technique produces the desired result regardless of any preconceived ideas about its efficacy. You see, this technique is not a belief system. One does not have to believe in it for it to work. This fact makes it rather generic in its approach to calming the mind. Once calm, the user can put any flavor he desires on it as a framework for subsequent practice (spiritual, religious, philosophical, etc) as long as the mechanical technique is done correctly. The generic nature of this technique has been studied by researchers trying to identify the various mental, physical and emotional benefits of the process (much more about those later). It can and does benefit millions worldwide daily.