Meditation

Meditation
: A self-directed practice for relaxing the body and calming the mind. Most meditative techniques have come to the West from Eastern religious practices, particularly India, China, and Japan, but can be found in all cultures of the world. Until recently, the primary purpose of meditation has been religious, although its health benefits have long been recognized. During the past 15 years, it has been further explored as a way of reducing stress on both mind and body. Some studies have found that regular meditation can reduce healthcare use; increase longevity and quality of life; reduce chronic pain; reduce anxiety; reduce high blood pressure; reduce serum cholesterol level; reduce substance abuse; increase intelligence-related measures; reduce post-traumatic stress syndrome in Vietnam veterans; and lower blood cortisol levels initially brought on by stress.

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med·i·ta·tion (med″ĭ-taґshən) an intentional and self-regulated focusing of attention, originally used primarily in religious and spiritual practice, whose purpose is to relax and calm the mind and body.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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Look at other dictionaries:

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  • MEDITATION — (Heb. Hitbonenut), a term which first appears in kabbalistic literature, from the middle of the 13th century, referring to protracted concentration of thought on supernal lights of the divine world and of the spiritual worlds in general. Many… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • meditation — Meditation. s. f. v. Pensée attentive, profonde consideration. Les meditations des Philosophes. les inpromptu d un tel valent mieux que les meditations d un autre. aprés une profonde meditation sur ce sujet. la Philosophie est une meditation de… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • Meditation —    Meditation is central to the serious practice of Buddhism; Gotama Buddha attributed his enlightenment to meditation techniques. Simply described, it involves two stages: the achievement of tranquility (samatha) through proper concentration,… …   Historical Dictionary of Burma (Myanmar)

  • Meditation — Med i*ta tion, n. [OE. meditacioun, F. m[ e]ditation, fr. L. meditatio.] 1. The act of meditating; close or continued thought; the turning or revolving of a subject in the mind; serious contemplation; reflection; musing. [1913 Webster] Let the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • meditation — [med΄ə tā′shən] n. [ME meditacioun < OFr & L: OFr meditation < L meditatio] 1. act of meditating; deep, continued thought 2. solemn reflection on sacred matters as a devotional act 3. [often pl.] oral or written material, as a sermon, based …   English World dictionary

  • meditation — méditation фр. [мэдитасьо/н] meditation англ. [мэдитэ/йшн] meditazione ит. [мэдитацио/нэ] размышление, раздумье …   Словарь иностранных музыкальных терминов

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  • Meditation — (v. lat.), 1) Nachdenken, als Vorbereitungsübung; Meditatio mortis, Todesbetrachtung; 2) bes. das wissenschaftliche Nachdenken …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

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