The History of Meditation

Posted by kalen mok on June 11th, 2022

There are numerous ancient texts on the history of meditation. In the Vedas, which date back to roughly 1700 BC, the practice of meditation is described in the Vedic Mantra Gayatri. Later on, Gautama Buddha used the mediative methods of his day to achieve enlightenment. However, he found the Hindu scriptures to be incomplete and developed a middle way meditation as an alternative method of attaining enlightenment.

In the early 1800s, Buddhism was only a minor factor in meditation's development. It wasn't until the 20th century that meditation became a more widespread practice in western culture. In fact, Buddhism became incredibly popular in the west in the late 19th century after Alexander the Great visited India and presented his views at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago. At this time, spiritual representatives from the various Buddhist schools began to migrate to the West, bringing with them the practice of meditation.

As time went on, Christianity began to adopt meditation practices. By the 6th century, Christians were meditating, though they had little control over which phrases they would repeat. They also didn't require any special postures or repetitions. Bible reading and Jesus prayer were considered forms of meditation. These techniques are still practiced today in many Christian churches, but they've taken on a different form in modern times. However, their roots are in Eastern Christianity.

In the 1960s, meditation gained mainstream acceptance as an academic study. Scientists began examining the benefits of meditation through scientific studies. As a result, meditation became available to the public in western societies. This increased awareness about meditation led to the development of new types of meditation. Despite the many benefits of meditation, it is still considered a spiritual practice and is not solely used for spiritual enlightenment. The history of meditation is fascinating, and the future of the practice is bright. So, what are you waiting for? Get started today and discover how meditation can change your life.

A number of reference books have been published on the history of meditation, but there is no consensus on the exact definition. A recent study by Claudio Naranjo et al. in the Handbook of Mindfulness: A Comprehensive Guide to Meditation

While there is no one single source that tells us how meditation first began, it is generally considered that it dates back to human civilization's quest to develop self-awareness. Nevertheless, the origin of meditation is unknown, but the practice itself is centuries old and has helped millions of people all over the world find a place for inner peace and harmony. So, if you're curious about the history of meditation, take a few minutes to learn more. And, most importantly, remember to practice it!

Buddhism has a rich history of meditation, and reading about Buddhist adepts is a great way to gain an insight into the contemplative practice. However, there are several different styles of meditation within the Buddhist tradition. The Transcendent in America focuses more on Tibetan and Indian forms of meditation than on Eastern traditions. Therefore, this book is more likely to interest people who have already practiced meditation, and those who want to learn more about it.