Meditation is a fundamental practice in yoga that involves training the mind to achieve a state of focused attention, heightened awareness, or complete mental clarity and emotional calmness. Rather than being a single technique, meditation encompasses a variety of approaches designed to cultivate presence and self-awareness.
In classical yoga philosophy, meditation (dhyana) is the seventh limb of Patanjali’s eight-limbed path, preceded by concentration (dharana) and followed by samadhi (complete absorption or enlightenment). While modern practitioners often use the terms concentration and meditation interchangeably, traditional yoga views concentration as the prerequisite skill of focusing on a single point, which eventually blossoms into the continuous flow of awareness that characterizes true meditation.
Various meditation techniques exist within the yoga tradition. These include trataka (gazing at a single point such as a candle flame), visualization practices (focusing on internal images or chakras), mantra meditation (repetition of sounds or phrases), mindfulness (non-judgmental awareness of sensations, thoughts, and emotions), and transcendental approaches that aim to move beyond conceptual thinking.
The physiological benefits of regular meditation practice are well-documented by modern science. Research shows that meditation can reduce stress hormones, lower blood pressure, improve immune function, increase gray matter density in brain regions associated with learning and memory, and reduce activity in the brain’s default mode network linked to mind-wandering and rumination.
Psychologically, meditation has been shown to decrease anxiety and depression, enhance emotional regulation, improve attention span, and increase feelings of well-being and compassion. Many practitioners report that consistent meditation leads to greater self-awareness, improved relationships, and a deeper sense of purpose and meaning in life.
