What Really is Meditation? by IARP Member Services
Meditation is the act of directing your attention towards something in particular : a symbol, a sound, a picture, your breathing, uplifting thoughts, spiritual realms, etc.
Meditation is simply about focused attention... where you direct it doesn't really matter. It is not a way of "turning your mind off" or making your mind go blank. Meditation will create an inner quietness, but you cannot willfully turn your thoughts off. Quieting the mind results naturally from the effectiveness of the method used and an uplifting spiritual energy that is beyond our efforts.
There are many types of meditation. Some are very simple and can be done anywhere at anytime. The definition that seems to fit most forms of meditation is..."Consciously directing your attention to alter your state of consciousness."
The main purpose of meditation is usually spiritual growth, becoming more conscious of our inner selves, however, it is also a valuable tool for reducing everyday stress and fatigue, relaxing, falling asleep, creating positive thoughts and discovering more about ourselves. Meditation can be used to cleanse and balance your emotions, increase your insight and ability to concentrate, assist in the healing process, change habits, help you find inner guidance or unlock creativity… and much, much more.
