Meditation

Robert Beshara

What do you imagine when you hear the word “meditation”?

How would you feel if I told you that this is also a way to meditate?

And this

On the etymology of the word• Meditation (n.): “c.1200, "contemplation; devout

preoccupation; devotions, prayer," from Old French meditacion "thought, reflection, study," and directly from Latin meditationem (nominative meditatio) "a thinking over, meditation," noun of action from past participle stem of meditari "to meditate, think over, reflect, consider," frequentative form from PIE root *med- "to measure, limit, consider, advise, take appropriate measures" (cognates: Greek medesthai "think about," medon "ruler;" Latin modus "measure, manner," modestus "moderate," modernus "modern," mederi "to heal," medicus "physician;" Sanskrit midiur "I judge, estimate;" Welsh meddwl "mind, thinking;" Gothic miton, Old English metan "to measure;" also see medical)” (Harper, n.d.)

What is meditation?• Meditation is a practice that involves concentration,

mindfulness, and insight. • There is usually a spiritual or religious context for

meditation. At least, historically. But meditation can also be applied as a technique if we prefer the secular route.

• Meditation is not for everyone (e.g., people who struggle with psychosis) and it is not a panacea.

• Meditation is, among other things, a tool to help us understand ourselves better and our relationships with other people and things.

• So it can have some psychological benefits as well as physiological correlates.

Which meditation?

• The two most researched forms of meditation are: Transcendental Meditation (TM) – Hinduism, and Mindfulness – Buddhism

• Other forms: contemplation is a form of meditation practiced by some followers of the Abrahamic religions

• Jon Kabat-Zinn developed Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), which was the inspiration for Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

The difference/similarity between TM and Mindfulness

• Concentration (mantra vs. breath)• Mindfulness (a non-judgmental attitude) • Insight (into our suffering?)

Resources• Harper, D. (Ed.). (n.d.). meditation (n.). In Online

Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved May 14, 2014, from http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=meditation&searchmode=none

• “the world’s happiest man” is a long-term meditator: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2225634/Is-worlds-happiest-man-Brain-scans-reveal-French-monk-abnormally-large-capacity-joy-meditation.html

• Relevant articles will be sent along with this presentation

Shall we practice?