Meditation
Meditation is a practice of focused mental training used to develop awareness, calm the mind, and cultivate inner clarity, with roots in ancient Hindu and Buddhist traditions dating back over 2,500 years.
Early forms of meditation developed within Hindu and later Buddhist traditions in ancient India, used as a spiritual practice to achieve higher states of consciousness and, in Buddhism, as a central path toward enlightenment.
Meditation techniques vary widely, from focused attention on the breath to mantra repetition and open, non-judgmental awareness of thoughts, often referred to today as mindfulness meditation.
Since the mid-20th century, meditation has spread widely beyond its religious origins, with substantial modern scientific research supporting its benefits for stress reduction, mental health, and overall well-being.