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Meditation is a technique for producing an altered state of consciousness. It usually involves sitting still for a period during which consciousness might be focused by means of a word repeated silently in the mind, or by the visualization of an image of some sort. The Vipassana, or insight, medition practiced by Buddhists stresses mere observation of what takes place in the mind and body during meditation.
'''Meditation''' is a technique for producing an altered state of [[consciousness]]. It usually involves sitting still for a period during which consciousness might be relaxed and focused by means of a word repeated silently in the [[mind]], or by the visualization of an image of some sort. The ''Vipassana'', or [[insight]], meditation practiced by [[Buddhism|Buddhists]] initially stresses observation of what takes place in the mind and body ([[breathing]] and sensations) during meditation.
Christian meditation is a form of silent, contemplative prayer that uses a prayer-word, which is rooted in the gospel and the letters of St. Paul, and originated with the early desert fathers of the fourth century. It is a daily personal discipline, a practice of stillness and simplicity, not a substitute for all the other form of prayer, but as a center for them.<ref>http://www.houstoncontemplative.org/christian_meditation.htm</ref>
==Christian meditation - Contemplation==
Meditation in the [[Bible]] goes back to the book of [[Genesis]] and appears periodically throughout. Focus is not on a word, but on a [[thought]] or [[concept]]. An example of a verse on meditation is found in [[Psalms]] 1:2
<blockquote>But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night ([[NIV]] version).</blockquote>
[[Christian]] meditation is a form of silent, contemplative [[prayer]] that uses a [[prayer]]-word, which is rooted in the [[gospel]] and the letters of [[St. Paul]], and originated with the early [[desert]] fathers of the fourth century. It is a daily personal [[discipline]], a practice of stillness and [[simplicity]], not a substitute for all the other forms of prayer, but as a center for them.<ref>[http://www.houstoncontemplative.org/christian_meditation.htm Christian meditation @ HoustonContempltive.org]</ref>
According to Father [[Thomas Dubay]], OSM<ref>Thomas Dubay, ''The Fire Within'', and ''Contemplation: Union with God''</ref>, the contemplative state is a prayer of union with God, infused into the soul, which the person cannot merit or generate by any degree of devotion or by means of any form of meditation, in which God the [[Trinity|Holy Trinity]] sovereignly chooses to unite in spiritual communion with Himself the soul of the person who is personally given to him in full submission to His Will. This privilege is not granted to all. It is a state [[Teresa of Avila]] called "Spiritual Marriage"<ref>Teresa of Avila, in her treatise, ''The Interior Castle''</ref>, and also treated by [[John of the Cross]] in his writings.
==Buddhist meditation - Contemplation==
Meditation or [[contemplation]] is the fifth of the "Ten Perfections of the [[Altruism|Altruistic]] Attitude" according to [[Buddhist]] practice:
# '''[[Generosity]]''' ([[Charity]]-[[Philanthropy]]- [[Benevolence]]: "Benefit others more than yourself.")
# '''[[Morality]]''' of the Five Precepts - [[Renunciation]] of [[immorality]] and the [[cause and effect|causes]] of [[suffering]] (the causes are always based in [[immorality]] or [[amoral]] behavior).
# '''[[Patience]]''' (implies [[Forgiveness]] and [[Endurance]])
# '''Joyful [[Perseverance]]''' ([[Persistence]], [[Determination]] and Moral [[Fortitude]] or Moral [[Courage]])
# '''Meditation''' ([[Calm]] Abiding or Making the [[mind]] have deeply [[relaxation|relaxed]] [[focus]]ed [[awareness]] for [[contemplation]] of [[morality]]-[[compassion]]-[[wisdom]])
# '''[[Wisdom]]''' ([[Interdependence]], [[Understanding]] [[Cause and effect]], [[Prudence]], [[Humility]] of "No Self")
# '''Skillful Means''' or Expedient Means (Use the "medicine" according to the particular "disease" and "patient")
# '''Great [[Vow]]s''' (to get [[Enlightenment|Enlightened]] in order to better "Benefit others more than yourself.")
# '''Great [[Strength]]'''
# '''Great [[Wisdom]]''' ([[Buddha]]hood)
Depending on the [[sect]] of [[Buddhism]], many [[tradition]]s of Buddhist meditation teach the [[discipline]] of relaxed focused contemplation and awareness of [[virtue]] through regular daily [[reflection]] on the above Ten Perfections. All forms of Buddhism stress that success in meditation is impossible without first cultivating one's 1. Generosity, 2. Morality, 3. Patience, and 4. Joyful Perseverance (requires understanding, awareness and development of [[Qi]]-[[Prana]]).
==Focus in meditation==
[[Focus]] in [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] meditation means [[concentration|concentrating]] the [[mind]] selectively on a single aspect of one's thoughts or images while [[renunciation|letting go]] of all other things until the mind become "single-pointed" ("[[samadhi]]") through [[relaxation|relaxed]] focused [[awareness]] ("[[shamatha]]"). According to Buddhism, focus is related to the "[[fire]] element" of the mind and nervous system.
==See also==
* [[Yoga]]
* [[Alois P. Swoboda]]
* [[Herbert Benson]]
==References==
<references/>
[[Category:Psychology]]
[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Buddhism]]