If most people today were asked what meditation is, they would conjure up an image of a Yogi sitting in lotus posture with their eyes closed for prolonged periods of time. But what is less known is why meditation exists and what purpose it is intended to serve. Here in the West, meditation is often marketed because of surface-level benefits such as instilling a sense of greater calm, relaxation, and enhanced focus.
According to Yogic tradition, however, meditation is a very high-level experience that comes after many years of devoted practice. We are born with an inclination to suffer--to hold the world beyond ourselves responsible for our happiness--while our true potential for joy comes from within. The Yogic path teaches us to first bring greater balance to our body so that we can then begin to control our mind and alleviate that suffering. Meditation happens when we've trained ourselves to let go of ego-based thoughts and instead are able to reflect the divine perfection that exists within each of us. Meditation's purpose is to liberate ourselves from our personal suffering so that we instead live in greater peace and joy.
This content originally appeared on doctoroz.com
Continue Learning about Meditation
Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.