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Meditation
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<p>Meditation is a practice in which an individual uses a technique to train attention and awareness and detach from reflexive, "discursive thinking", achieving a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state, while not judging the meditation process itself. </p><p>Techniques are broadly classified into focused (or concentrative) and open monitoring methods. Focused methods involve attention to specific objects like breath or <a href="/facts/Mantra/V8bEogFp">mantras</a>, while open monitoring includes <a href="/facts/Mindfulness/3v40h59U">mindfulness</a> and awareness of mental events. </p><p>Meditation is practiced in numerous religious traditions, though it is also practised independently from any religious or spiritual influences for its health benefits. The earliest records of meditation (<i><a href="/facts/Dhyana_in_Hinduism/TzIQJmWA">dhyana</a></i>) are found in the <a href="/facts/Upanishads/hr64Hhdn">Upanishads</a>, and meditation plays a salient role in the contemplative repertoire of <a href="/facts/Jainism/h0glxhjH">Jainism</a>, <a href="/facts/Buddhism/G0wsjrSl">Buddhism</a> and <a href="/facts/Hinduism/oxV9YvQh">Hinduism</a>. Meditation-like techniques are also known in <a href="/facts/Judaism/tjQ5Tgs6">Judaism</a>, <a href="/facts/Christianity/nKyJHlqq">Christianity</a> and <a href="/facts/Islam/zDLbL45C">Islam</a>, in the context of remembrance of and prayer and devotion to God. </p><p>Asian meditative techniques have spread to other cultures where they have found application in non-spiritual contexts, such as business and health. Meditation may significantly reduce <a href="/facts/Psychological_stress/eqat8pq9">stress</a>, <a href="/facts/Fear/BSzreRdS">fear</a>, <a href="/facts/Anxiety/Geekl883">anxiety</a>, <a href="/facts/Depression_(mood)/GDNFWm1L">depression</a>, and pain, and enhance peace, <a href="/facts/Perception/xLK0n2q4">perception</a>, <a href="/facts/Self-concept/Be0PEJAl">self-concept</a>, and <a href="/facts/Well-being/h1dsU4VU">well-being</a>. Research is ongoing to better understand the <a href="/facts/Effects_of_meditation/2cWbPWHm">effects of meditation</a> on health (<a href="/facts/Psychology/duoqW7Sz">psychological</a>, <a href="/facts/Neurology/TXYEMSYI">neurological</a>, and <a href="/facts/Cardiovascular/WXwudzzc">cardiovascular</a>) and other areas. </p>