If you’ve been searching for spiritual meaning in your life, you’ve may have met people who extol the many benefits of meditation? But what is meditation really?

You may have heard of different types of meditation like candle meditation, light meditation, Buddhist meditation and host of other traditions. But really, when you come to think of it, they really are just meditation techniques that alter your state of mind and give you a greater sense of wellbeing. They do not get to the heart of the question:

What Is Meditation?

Followers of the traditional sect of yoga define meditation as the effort of a person to associate himself or herself with the Supreme Being or God through the use of a mantra.

A mantra traditionally is a two-syllable Sanskrit word with a divine meaning attached to it. In some groups, the mantra is simply the Sanskrit word for “God”.

By repeating the mantra with every breath you take, and coupling each breath with a sentimental understanding of what the mantra means, the power of the mantra awakens the person’s spirituality. With constant practice, a meditator eventually feels himself in union with God.

By tradition, “yoga” means the union of a person’s small ego with God.

So, if you’re asking “what is meditation”, it is actually the systematic process of bringing your mind to a higher level of consciousness so that it realizes and feels unity with that all-pervading entity called God.

In order to succeed in meditation (and not keep asking what is meditation), you must do the following:

1. Cultivate a sense of morality

By reality, we don’t mean the Ten Commandments of the Bible. Rather, we mean the broader sense of morality as defined in “Yama” and “Niyama”.

Yama outlines the precepts of behavior within the society. On the other hand, Niyama outlines the precept of self-discipline.

2. Pranayama

Pranayama is the science of controlling the breath. Few people probably notice this, but our moods are largely influenced by our breathing. For example, when we are upset or excited, our breath tends to be short and rapid. When we’re relaxed breathing is soft and deep, with our diaphragms expanding and contracting accordingly.

3. Withdrawal of the senses

Withdrawal of the senses involves not only withdrawal from the body’s sense of touch, hearing, taste, sight and smell, it also involves withdrawing or disassociating ourselves from the pressures of the outside world.

4. Concentration

Because of the many distractions in today’s world, it is become increasingly difficult for people, even those experienced meditators, to concentrate on one thing only. But here’s one thing that should sharpen your concentration – set an all-consuming goal for yourself.

In this case, if you want to truly appreciate what is meditation, you should make it your goal to know who God is through your meditation. As with any other goal, write it down if you really want to achieve it.

5. Persistent meditation

It’s been said that success is a matter of habit, meaning that your success is largely dependent on the habits that you have. To succeed in meditation, make it your daily habit. Do it even if you feel like it. Meditate at the same time every day.

If you’re still asking yourself what is meditation, you can find more information here.