Meditation hit the scenes hard in the United States during the 1960’s and by early 2000s has become about as mainstream as going for a jog. Meditation is tuning into the now moment and giving yourself the time and space to just be. Rather than thinking about the past, or worrying about the future, you stay in the present moment.

Meditation is not a new practice, like many other ancient Eastern practices, it’s just taken a little while for the Western World to catch on, but luckily, we have. Meditation couldn’t be more needed than in the fast-paced and often stressful lifestyles we have created for ourselves today. According to science, meditation lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, balances hormone levels, reduces inflammation, improves thinking, and clears our minds.

One of the most famous meditation scientists and teachers in the world, Jon Kabat-Zinn, defines meditation as, “The awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally to the unfolding of experience.”

Meditators might start with being aware of their breath, just noticing the experience of air coming in and going out of the lungs. Contrary to popular belief, meditating does not always mean having a perfectly content, quiet mind, but is the ability to keep focusing back on stillness and peace. In this section we will cover the different types of meditation and copious health benefits they have on our life.