In Western societys it tends to be used as a means of dealing with stress. Meditation is a useful self help technique that can be used without any adherence to any religeon. Meditation is a state of heightened mental awareness. Meditation is however practised in the worlds major religeons including Judaism, Islam and Buddhism. Meditation was mainly introduced to the West through Indian Yoga practises which were brought to England in the 19th century.
Meditation involves withdrawing from external reality and achieving deep relaxation.
Meditation has been shown to reverse the damaging effects of stress. When you are under pressure the brain will tell the adrenal glands to produce certain hormones. This will cause your blood pressure and muscle tension to increase. When you meditate your brain waves change to a certain distinctive alpha pattern that is linked with deep relaxation and mental alertness. Regular meditators are able to shift into this pattern at will.