A person can also relax and rest through meditation. The word “meditation” encompasses a wide range of applications and techniques. The most common etymological explanation claims that the word “meditation” is derived from the Latin word meditatio, meaning “to meditate,” and that it probably developed from the Latin root matum, which means “to think” (Ludden 2012). This negates a connection with the Latin word mederi, meaning “to heal,” although some other authors have claimed that this connection exists (Koopsen & Young 2009). It is also related to the Greek word medomai, meaning “to care.” Leddy (2012), on the other hand, claims that the word “meditation” developed from the Sanskrit word medha, meaning “wisdom.”
Just as there are different etymological interpretations, there are also various types of meditation. Meditation is a characteristic religious practice in various religions and philosophical schools. It holds special significance in Indian religions, but with the spread of Buddhism, it also influenced the religious practice of Chinese religions (Confucianism and Taoism). When we talk about meditation, we often forget that it is also part of Jewish, Christian, and Islamic religious practice (cf. Sufi). In Genesis 24:63, it is written that Isaac walked. The word “walk” is written in Greek as blebetat and in Latin means “to meditate.” However, in Jewish mysticism, meditation takes on a much greater role. The Kabbalah itself deals with the area of meditation, but for Kabbalists, the main goal of this study is understanding the Divine and drawing closer to God. Jewish mysticism is primarily concerned with the practice of hitbodedut, an unstructured, spontaneous, and individual form of prayer and meditation through which a close relationship with God can be established, ultimately realising the inherent divinity of all beings.
Different traditions have developed different types of meditation, with various techniques for practicing and influencing human beings. The most well-known types of meditation are Transcendental Meditation, Vipassana Meditation, Zen Meditation, Metta Meditation, Tantra, Kundalini Meditation, and various forms of yoga. It is often forgotten that meditation or contemplation can also include prayer and reflection on God’s Word. These can be found in Judaism, Christianity, and also Islam. The goal of all meditation is to calm the mind and focus on one’s own breathing. In most cases, meditation also serves to reflect on fundamental spiritual questions, often accompanied by spiritual prayer.
Over the last few decades, about 40,000 studies have been conducted proving the importance of meditation for human physical, mental, and spiritual health. Far fewer scientific studies have dealt with the positive effects of contemplative prayer on human beings. Experiences associated with contemplative prayer vary from believer to believer. Since contemplation is an extension of meditation, and even Buddhist monks consider the term “contemplation” more appropriate than “meditation,” it can be freely said that contemplation and meditation have similar, if not identical, effects on people.
Research shows that meditation and contemplation have a positive impact on reducing cortisol (Davidson et al. 2003; Pace et al. 2009; Bergland 2013), serotonin production, and slowing cell aging (Epel et al.). They also prevent many newly emerging diseases due to their positive impact on hormonal balance. Numerous studies have shown the positive impact of meditation even on human mental and emotional health. For example, it has been shown that meditation helps in treating depression and panic disorders (Kabat-Zinn et al. 1992), improves concentration (Davidson et al. 2008; Pettersen 2015; Levy et al. 2011), and emotional reactions.
Research also shows that meditation and contemplation can reduce insomnia (Brooks et al. 1985), significantly improve psychomotor alertness, and reduce the need for sleep (Kaul et al. 2010).
Lagopoulos (et al. 2009) and a group of colleagues studied the relationship between brain waves and meditation. “Previous research has shown that theta waves indicate deep relaxation and occur more frequently in experienced meditation practitioners. The source is likely the frontal parts of the brain, which are associated with monitoring other mental processes.” He also said, “When we measure mental calmness, these areas signal the lower parts of the brain, prompting the physical relaxation response that occurs during meditation.”
Different types of meditation have different effects on the brain. Fast beta and delta waves are released in meditations that focus on concentration. Theta waves are characteristic of meditations based on open observation (e.g., Zen meditation, Vipassana, mindfulness, guided meditations). Alpha waves are most released during transcendental meditation.
Contemplative prayer has a similar impact on the brain. “Prayer involves parts of the brain such as the medial prefrontal cortex and the posterior cingulate cortex—thus, the middle, front, and back parts,” says Spiegel (2006), adding that this can be seen using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which provides detailed anatomical images. “These parts of the brain are involved in self-reflection and self-soothing” (Spector 2016).
Research shows that prayer helps overcome addiction, which is mostly associated with its positive impact on the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for controlling emotions.