Meditation – The Beginning and The End

There are many conceptions and beliefs as to what meditation is.  Some simply see meditation as a way to relax their bodies and minds.  Some see it as method to help treat diseases, illnesses and the like.  Yet others see meditation is a way to transcend the body/mind, and to experience bliss.  There are many ways to look at meditation and what it helps one to accomplish, but I will expound on what I feel meditation is, or is not.

Firstly, I think we should be clear about how we use the word “meditation”, so that there is greater clarity of communication of the word.  I think speaking about the word “meditation” really depends upon the context we are referring to.  When the word meditation comes up, it brings up different images and meanings to different people.  When some people think of meditation, they may even get fearful, thinking that it is some extremely esoteric thing, that is reserved for a few people that have abandoned/renounced life.  The word meditation has such a strong emotional significance around it, kind of like the word “God”, but obviously not quite as intense of course.  However, I think when we speak about the word, we should be absolutely clear about the context we are using.  I don’t believe that the “meditation” is any one thing to any one person, so this is absolutely essential.

I believe meditation to be multi-faceted.  It’s not one thing, nor is it another.  Nor is it a thing! I think meditation can be used as several different meanings.  For example, a Naturopathic Doctor may “prescribe” their patient 20 minutes of meditation per day in order to help reduce their blood pressure and cholesterol.  In this case, meditation is seen as a “tool” or “treatment” to help with the physiological processes of the body.  Now is this a correct way of looking at meditation, or is it too simplified.  Some people may even see this is too simplistic, that they shake their heads thinking that the word is being misused.