In the Western world, meditation has long been seen as a discipline originating in Eastern religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism, for example. While there’s some truth in that idea, the history of meditation around the world is more complex than one may realize. Within various cultures, meditation has been a vital method for achieving mental, spiritual, and even physical objectives.
As Old as Humanity Itself?
Time reporter Ashley Ross reveals that meditation may have originated in our distant past. Artwork found in the ruins of Indus Valley civilizations depict people sitting in meditative positions: on the floor with legs crossed, hands resting on their knees, and with their eyes closed. Archeologists speculate that these paintings could be up to 7,000 years old. Evidence suggests that it was also practiced in ancient Egypt and older Chinese spiritual customs that later became part of Taoist traditions.
Meditation also exists in other religions, including Judaism, Islam, and indigenous faiths throughout Africa and the Americas. Esoteric Kabbalah focuses on union with the divine through meditation on the names of God. Islamic practices include “tafakkur,” which stresses deep contemplation, and the Sufi “muraqabah,” which emphasizes introspection, discipline, and bonding with God. Psychology Today contributor Robert Puff points out that even some Christian customs qualify as meditation: using a rosary, repetitive prayer, and Eucharistic Adoration.
Meditative Practices in Indian Religions
The most widely known versions of meditation come to us from the Indian subcontinent. Just as Hinduism offers many different spiritual paths, this religion includes a variety of meditative disciplines. They’re collectively referred to as “dhyana,” a term found in the Vedas and earliest Upanishads as well as the Bhagavad Gita and various sutras. Dhyana is also used within Buddhist, Jain, and Sikh contexts.
Difference Between offers a simplified explanation of one primary goal in Hinduism: to achieve oneness between one’s spirit and Brahman, or the supreme reality. In contrast, Buddhists often meditate to help them attain nirvana. While both Buddhists and Hindus seek freedom from cycles of reincarnation, Buddhists strive toward the cessation of suffering by extinguishing desires, hatred, and ignorance. Jains regard it as a tool for spiritual emancipation from cravings and attachments. Sikhs concentrate on understanding divine wisdom, discipline, and higher awareness.
An Ancient Practice Comes to the West
You’ve probably heard of Transcendental Meditation, Zen Buddhism, or other religious practices from Asia. Indeed, one of America’s first encounters with the concept of meditation involved Swami Vivekananda. A University of Florida news article mentions Vivekananda’s speech to a Parliament of Religions gathering in 1893. He told the Chicago audience about the benefits of meditation and yoga.
American authors such as Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson dug into these and related concepts, but meditation’s next major influence on our culture came through Maharishi Mahesh Yogi during the 1960s. He developed Transcendental Meditation, which at its basics involves sitting comfortably with the eyes closed and repeating a silent mantra. This technique, along with the man who taught it, became popular with celebrities, including members of the Beatles, the Doors, and the Rolling Stones.
Many who incorporate meditation into their lives do so for mental discipline, deeper spiritual connections, or improved health. Studies on the subject reveal possible positive outcomes such as stress relief and pain reduction. While it’s certainly not a magic pill or cure-all, Mayo Clinic discusses meditation as a useful tool in managing conditions like anxiety, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, and heart disease.
Many Paths and Options Exist
From ancient Egypt to the 21st century, humans have engaged in some sort of practice to achieve focus, calm, and clarity. Today, anyone seeking to learn to meditate can choose from a wide range of traditions and techniques. Both spiritual and non-spiritual disciplines exist, offering a variety of benefits and objectives.