{"id":1310,"date":"2020-08-26T19:42:44","date_gmt":"2020-08-26T19:42:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.anthrocervone.org\/introtohumanities\/?page_id=1310"},"modified":"2020-10-12T18:25:28","modified_gmt":"2020-10-12T18:25:28","slug":"meditation-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.anthrocervone.org\/introtohumanities\/analysis-i\/poetry\/haiku\/meditation-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Meditation Extra Credit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Meditation<\/em> is a practice where an individual uses a specific technique or set of techniques to induce a specific state, mode or consciousness. Different types of meditation employ a variety of different methods with various intentions. Meditation is difficult to define because there are a variety of different practices and traditions. This lesson will provide a very brief overview of meditation as an ancient and modern practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lesson Objectives:<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
  • identify meditation as a diverse set of practices from a wide variety of different ancient and modern traditions. <\/li>
  • recognize various techniques and intentions associated with meditation<\/li>
  • explore the any style of meditation and write a reflection of the experience<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
    What is Meditation?<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
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    This lesson will refer to meditation as ‘ a technique or series of techniques employed to alter cognitive and\/or emotional states and conditions in an effort to improve well being.’ However, there is no single definition or criteria for ‘meditation’ as a practice within the contemporary scientific community. A 2009 study noted a “persistent lack of consensus in the literature” and a “seeming intractability of defining meditation.” Meditation is difficult to define because it covers a wide range of dissimilar practices in different traditions. In popular usage, the word “meditation” and the phrase “meditative practice” are often used to refer to a variety of different techniques and intentions across many cultures throughout history. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Some of the difficulty in precisely defining meditation has been in recognizing the particularities of the many various traditions. Throughout history, numerous teachers have taught distinct methods and this contributed to a flourishing of different approaches, techniques and intentions for meditative practice. In some cases, meditation is not a solitary practice, but it is just one part of a complex system of beliefs and practices. For example, some Christian monks meditate daily, yet they also observe codified rules and live together in monasteries in specific cultural settings that go along with their meditative practices. This makes it important to situate a particular type of meditation practice within its specific social and historical context. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Meditation in History<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
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    The English term meditation<\/em> is derived from Latin meditatio<\/em>, “to think, contemplate, devise, ponder”. The use of the term meditatio<\/em> as a formal process of meditation dates to the 12th century Christian monk Guigo II. However, different forms of meditation have been practiced in several different religious traditions for nearly 4,000 years. Eastern spiritual practices, referred to as dhy\u0101na<\/em> in Hinduism and Buddhism and which comes from the Sanskrit root dhyai<\/em>, meaning to contemplate or meditate. In most cases, meditation was considered a means toward spiritual enlightenment and self-realization. The earliest records of meditation come from the Hindu traditions of Vedantism, and meditation has also played a role in many Buddhist, Christian, Islamic and Jewish traditions throughout history as well as in more recent religious and spiritual movements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Through globalization and the worldwide spread of culture, a variety of new and non-religious meditation techniques emerged with many non-spiritual applications. Meditation has been integrated into health and wellness sectors, business, sports, mental health, communication, human resources, and many other secular sectors. Current research is investigating the psychological, neurological and cardiovascular effects of meditative techniques. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Meditation Techniques and Intentions<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

    The proliferation of meditative practices has generated numerous techniques and approaches to meditation as well as a variety of reasons to engage in meditation. Some traditions adhere to a strict set of techniques while others may employ one or more as the need arises. Individuals may meditate as a solitary practice while others meditate as a group. Meditation may occur on a well-defined daily schedule for a specific amount of time or it may take place whenever an individual desires to meditate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Some techniques may include (but are not limited to): <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    • focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity <\/li>
    • employing intentional breathing patterns<\/li>
    • engaging in or refraining from specific movements or sounds<\/li>
    • listening to specific sounds or music<\/li>
    • chanting alone or as a group<\/li>
    • engaging in repetitive words or movements <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      The various intentions of meditation may include (but are not limited to):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      • improving attention or awareness skills<\/li>
      • improving mental clarity<\/li>
      • reducing stress and anxiety <\/li>
      • encouraging calm and stable states<\/li>
      • improving sleep patterns<\/li>
      • alleviate depression and improve well-being<\/li>
      • anger management and self-control<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Increasing awareness about the benefits of meditation has led to the proliferation of meditation adapted to different sectors of contemporary life such as business, professional development, and sport. In the video below, LeBron James addresses the importance of ‘strength of mind.’<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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