What Is It?

Throughout human history, different forms of meditation have been developed in many cultures worldwide, often in association with religious traditions. Meditation’s broad scope makes defining and studying it challenging, because there are so many different types, with different styles, techniques, and goals. Some forms of meditation focus on mindful awareness. Others focus in different directions.

The word meditation derives from the Latin word “meditari” which means to engage in contemplation or reflection; the term is closely related to the word “measure,” as in doing things according to proper measure. In modern health care, it typically refers to a practice in which the mind is trained to maintain focused attention for various reasons, including to cultivate positive states of mind or to increase concentration and focus. As one description put it, “through the active and intentional shaping of our brains (neuroplasticity), we can shape well-being.” ¹ There are meditations to foster awareness, and there are also meditations to enhance compassion and loving-kindness.

From the perspective of many contemplative traditions, meditation may be defined as spiritual practices intended to bring about enlightenment, self-actualization, or transcendence.¹ From the perspective of neuroscience, meditation is frequently defined by researchers as one or more techniques for training attention, concentration, and/or awareness of how one’s own mind works, with the intent of enhancing self-regulation in some way.² Depending on their scientific background, spiritual or religious perspectives, and personal experience, people will resonate with different definitions, and it is important for meditation instructors (and clinical team members who discuss meditation with others) to be respectful of this.

Herbert Benson, who introduced the concept of the relaxation response, focused on the mental and physical effects of different forms of meditation, noting that many of them have certain features in common, in terms of their effect on the body.³ They enlist a quiet environment, and many forms encourage people to settle down their bodies. People are encouraged to simply watch—but not get caught up in—distracting thoughts, and often they are encouraged to focus their attention on one specific thing, like a word (a mantram) or the breath. Of course, while appreciating these points of commonality, it is important to recognize that the variety and richness of different ways to meditate is born of thousands of years of human experience from around the world. As you discuss meditation as an option, remember that it is not simply a therapy, or a “one size fits all” approach to care. Different people will gravitate toward different approaches, and often, after meditation training, people tend to explore how it might fit into their overall worldview and, if relevant for them, their perspectives on spirituality and religion.