Meditation is an activity involving a person practicing self reflection, or disciplining themself to be “in the moment”—in other words, fully focused on or mentally involved in what they are doing. It can refer to specific religious or spiritual practice, such as those in Buddhism, or simply engaging in thought or contemplation. Individuals often use meditative practices to promote personal growth, peace, and contentment.
Tenzin Gyatso, the current Dalai Lama, has encouraged Western scholars to critically examine meditative practices. A number of Scientists have done brain scans of meditators, opening up questions about the effects meditation has on people. Whether learners want to dive into the depths of research on meditation, explore its roots in Buddhism, or become more introspective, Meditation is an important subject to learn.