Where Did Meditation Originate?

Where Did Meditation Originate?

Many people have asked, where did meditation originate.  The answer is not as clear as some people would like.

Meditation in some form or another seems to be a part of most cultures.  The forms and methods vary, of course, but the basic premise of meditation seems universal.

The most common form of meditation, in the sense of being a formal practice, most likely developed in the East. Most would probably agree that India is the birthplace of what most of us think of when we use the term meditation, although similar forms of meditation were also very common in places like Japan and China.

In the West, Transcendental Meditation gained popularity when it was introduced to the world in 1958 by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, a spiritual guru from India. This form of meditation gained worldwide exposure in the 1960’s through Maharishi’s interaction with the Beatles.

But if you want to know where did meditation originate, you need to go back a lot further than the Beetles.

The practice of meditation usually involves sitting quietly in an environment where you won’t be distracted.  Typically your eyes are closed and you begin by breathing deeply and allowing your body to relax.

While many people associate meditation with sitting on the ground in a “lotus” position with your legs crossed, the most important thing is to be comfortable. Many people like to sit in a chair with their feet on the floor.  It’s important to be sitting erect, however.  Lying down can often result in falling asleep.

It’s important to allow enough time for your mind and body to relax into the rhythm of your breathing.  Start by “watching” your breath as you focus your attention on the process of inhaling and exhaling.

When distracting thoughts enter your mind, it’s best to just observe and accept them and to allow them to move through your mind without focusing on them. Trying to “resist” these thoughts will only give them power and draw your focus away from the central purpose of the meditation.

Many people experience an increased sense of awareness or “mindfulness” while meditating.  As distractions fall away, they often also experience a greater sense of peace and wellbeing. The results can be quite dramatic.

The benefits of meditation are well documented. Over 600 scientific studies have been done at more than 200 independent research institutions in 35 countries.  Research on meditation has been published in more than 100 leading scientific journals, including Scientific American, Business and Health, Science, and the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Meditation is an excellent way to relax and find a “center” that seems inaccessible in the hustle and bustle of modern life.  Where did meditation originate?  In our need to find a way to reconnect with ourselves and our universe.