Meditation

Long before it became a stress-relief app category, this practice developed over two thousand years ago as a path toward enlightenment within Hindu and Buddhist tradition.

Ancient Roots in India

Early forms of meditation developed within Hindu and later Buddhist traditions in ancient India, first systematized in texts including the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali over 2,000 years ago, originally practiced as a path toward spiritual enlightenment rather than stress relief.

Many Different Techniques

Meditation techniques vary considerably across traditions, ranging from focused attention on the breath, to repetition of a mantra, to open, non-judgmental awareness of passing thoughts — an approach widely known today as mindfulness meditation.

Central to Buddhist Practice

Within Buddhism, meditation serves as a central practice on the path toward enlightenment, closely tied to core teachings including the Eightfold Path, with different Buddhist traditions emphasizing distinct meditative techniques and goals.

Spreading Beyond Religion

Since the mid-20th century, meditation has spread rapidly beyond its original religious and spiritual contexts, particularly the physical and mindfulness-based practices, which have been widely adapted for secular therapeutic and wellness purposes.

Backed by Modern Science

Substantial modern scientific research now supports meditation's measurable benefits for stress reduction, emotional regulation, and mental health, contributing to its widespread adoption in clinical, educational, and corporate settings around the world today.