Meditation Defined

Meditation is an ancient practice performed across time, culture, and geography. A general definition of meditation is action taken to produce greater peace of mind, clarity, and control over one’s thoughts. What is the goal of meditation, and how do you meditate?

Why Meditate?

A good thing about meditation is that it can be combined effectively with any treatment regimen like medication, therapy, and neuromodulation like TMS if the patient chooses to. What are some reasons people meditate?

  • Someone suffering from anxiety might meditate to calm themselves.
  • Someone having trouble with repetitive, ruminating thoughts might meditate to focus and recognize productive versus unproductive thoughts.
  • Someone feeling restless might meditate to bring themselves to a more relaxed state, physically and mentally.
  • Someone feeling fearful might meditate to summon their courage and steady their breathing.

Studies are ongoing, but medicine generally has a positive view of meditation. Practicing meditation has been linked to lower blood pressure, better sleep, improved digestion, and more.

How Do You Meditate?

There are different methods of meditation that can be used to produce varying results. Most have the meditator take a steady physical position, eliminate unnecessary distraction, and focus the mind on something. Here are a few examples:

  • Guided meditation. This describes several other kinds of meditation as well, in which the meditator is directed by another person, whether present or recorded, on what to do with their breaths or thoughts.
  • Metta meditation. This focuses on adopting an attitude of love, gratitude, and affirmation of oneself and others.
  • Kundalini or yoga-based meditation. Holding strength-building poses and doing breath work can be physically therapeutic as well as mentally healing. Before trying this, always consult your general physician.
  • Mindfulness This helps people focus on the present and what is actually going on in the situation instead of their reactive feelings about it. The goal is to improve clarity of thought and improve decision-making skills. The APA notes that this is a state that can be combined with meditation or adopted as a general outlook.

Seeking Peace

We encourage all in our community to use safe methods to better their lives, and meditation is generally safe and well-received. If you are interested in finding out about our range of services, check out our services page, and to learn more about TMS and mental health topics in general, head over to our blog. Contact us any time.