Meditation

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Meditation is central to the Hindu way of life, and is also an integral part of the other great oriental religions, Buddhism and its close cousin, Zen. It also has its place in Sufism, Christianity and Judaism. (That said, meditation does not require adherence to any of the faiths and religions that advocate it.)

Many people view meditation as peaceful but ineffectual self-centredness. They are wrong: the benefits to be gained from meditation in any of its various forms are many. Those who meditate regularly believe that it leads to a significant lowering of mental tension and negative emotions, while at the same time increasing efficiency at work and deepening the sense of inner calm.

This feeling of wellbeing brings physical benefits: regular meditation eliminates or reduces stress; can ease migraine and tension headaches; reduces blood pressure; benefits the heart; and reduces the pain of menstrual cramps.

In its simplest form, meditation is nothing more than allowing the mind to be lulled by a simple repetitive sensation-waves lapping on the beach, the tinkling of a fountain, repeating a word or sound over and over again, even something as mundane as the sound of machinery, any of these, and countless others, can be used as something on to which the mind focuses so strongly that problems and anxieties are crowded out. In its more refined, mystical guise, it is a means to total self-fulfilment, being completely at one with the universe.

Meditation is neither a time-consuming process-20 minutes a day are all that is needed-nor is it, as many suspect, a form of self-hypnosis. Practised properly, it is a life-enhancing voyage during which preconceived opinions and ideas fade, the senses and the intellect are refined and the ability to concentrate is increased.