This ppt contaings following agenda. 1) What is Meditation 2) Facts about Meditation 3) Types of Meditation 4)Objectives of Meditation 5) Benefits of Meditation 6) Statistics 7) References

1. Meditation
Techniques
(DHYAN YOGA)
Exploring the path to inner peace &
transformation

2. AGENDA
 What is Meditation
 Facts about Meditation
 Types of Meditation
 Objectives of Meditation
 Benefits of Meditation
 Statistics
 References

3. What is Meditation
 Meditation is a mental practice that involves focusing one's mind on a particular object, thought, or
activity to achieve a state of mental clarity, relaxation, and heightened awareness. It is a technique
that has been used for thousands of years in various cultures and traditions for a wide range of
purposes, including spiritual growth, stress reduction, and improved well-being.
 Meditation is a very personal practice because what is relaxing for one person may be distracting
for another. Some people find it quite difficult to turn the mind off so guided meditations are a
wonderful option as well because they allow your mind to go on an incredible journey.
 Meditation is a pleasing way to relieve stress and anxiety.
 A beautiful meditation can transform you to another time and another place.
 Meditation can help melt away the layers of stress and anxiety that build up over time.
 Peaceful global transformations that would naturally result when as little as 1% of the world’s
population practiced the Meditation technique.

4. What is Meditation
 Meditation is a mental practice that involves focusing one's mind on a particular object, thought, or
activity to achieve a state of mental clarity, relaxation, and heightened awareness. It is a technique that
has been used for thousands of years in various cultures and traditions for a wide range of purposes,
including spiritual growth, stress reduction, and improved well-being.
 There are many different forms of meditation, but some common elements include:
 Focused Attention: This type of meditation involves concentrating on a single point of focus, such as
your breath, a mantra, a candle flame, or a specific image. The goal is to anchor your attention to that
focus and let go of distracting thoughts.
 Mindfulness Meditation: Mindfulness meditation encourages you to observe your thoughts and
sensations without judgment. It involves being fully present in the moment and accepting your
experiences as they come, without trying to change them.
1. Loving-kindness Meditation: Also known as "Metta" meditation, this practice involves cultivating
feelings of love and compassion for oneself and others. It often includes repeating affirmations or
phrases to extend well-wishes and positive intentions.
2. Transcendental Meditation (TM): TM is a specific form of mantra meditation that involves silently
repeating a specific mantra to reach a deep state of relaxation and heightened awareness.
3. Body Scan Meditation: In this practice, you systematically focus on different parts of your body,
releasing tension and promoting relaxation.

5. 31 Facts about Meditation
 Meditation is a mental practice that involves focusing one's mind on a particular object, thought, or
activity to achieve a state of mental clarity, relaxation, and heightened awareness.
1. Meditation can make you happier - Studies have shown that meditation can help to rewire the
brain for increased happiness over time. In a way, meditation helps to remove the obstacles to
being happy by reducing your mental suffering. With meditation, it becomes easier to appreciate
the present moment with gratitude.
2. About 275 million people in the world meditate - India, the United States, and China have the
highest number of meditators in the world.
3. Australia is the most popular country for meditation - According to Google Trends, there are
more searches per capita for meditation in Australia than in any other country on the planet (even
when comparing across multiple languages other than English).
4. Melbourne is the most popular city for meditation - According to Google trends, Melbourne is
the city with the highest Google searches per capita for the term “meditation” in the world (even
when comparing across multiple languages other than English).
5. Meditation can make you less stressed - Meditation affects stress pathways and can reduce the
amount of stress you experience. Mindfulness meditation also promotes a number of skills that
can lead to less stress, including self-compassion, acceptance, and staying present.

6. 31 Facts about Meditation
6. Meditation improves your immune system - A 2012 study found higher immune system
function after an 8-week meditation course
7. Meditation can reduce pain - A study in 2015 found that meditation reduces pain more effectively
than a placebo.
8. Meditation can lower blood pressure - In one study, participants with pre-hypertension
experienced a significant reduction in blood pressure after meditation training.
9. Meditation can change your brain - Meditation has been shown to boost frontal brain activity,
reduce gray matter and increase oxytocin. It can also promote physical growth in the hippocampus
– meaning your brain actually gets larger.
10. Meditation improves decision making - 15-minutes of meditation can help people make
smarter, more rational choices, according to a 2014 study.
11. Meditation enhances creativity - Meditation reduces your fear of being judged and promotes
open-minded thinking. A meditation practice can positively affect creativity.
12. Meditation can improve problem solving - Mindfulness meditation improves insight problem
solving, which are those "aha!" solutions to complex problems.
13. Meditation can improve your relationship -Yep – that’s right! You could see improvements in
relationship happiness by practicing meditation, according to a 2004 study at the University of
North Carolina.

7. 31 Facts about Meditation
14. Meditation can help treat substance abuse – Studies have shown that meditation and
mindfulness interventions can be more effective than standard relapse-prevention programs or 12-
step programs.
15. Meditation can reduce bias - Meditation can reduce implicit bias, according to a 2014 study.
16. It’s ok to scratch itches during meditation - That’s right! It’s totally fine.
17. Meditation improves your focus – People who meditate can more easily shut out distractions
and maintain focus during complex tasks that require their full attention, according to a 2011 study.
18. Meditation helps you stay present - Our minds are lost in thought 47% of the time, but
meditation can improve this.
19. Meditation can help you forgive yourself - Often, we hold onto baggage from the past
throughout our lives. Meditation can help us let go and release ourselves.
20. Meditation feels different for everyone - Meditation is an intensely personal experience, and
while it can feel easy and positive one day, it can feel hard and taxing the next. The trick is to keep
going and avoid judging your experience.
21. Meditation isn’t religious - Although meditation has its roots in religious tradition, meditation as
practiced today is a secular set of tools that can help reduce stress and improve well-being.
22. World Meditation Day is May 21

8. 31 Facts about Meditation
23. It’s possible to meditate in a noisy place – You can use the noises you hear as objects of
meditation. You can also just use headphones.
24. Google offers daily meditation sessions to its employees – The program is called Search
Inside Yourself.
25. There are more than 1000 meditation apps available
26. Meditation is over 15,000 years old – Over 15,000 years ago, Adiyogi, the first yogi, transmitted
the science of yoga to his seven disciples, the Saptarishis. He alternated between dancing in
ecstasy and sitting in utter stillness where the only sign of life were his tears of bliss trickling down
his cheeks. It was obvious he was experiencing something no one could fathom.
27. Meditation is a skill - Meditation isn’t something you can or can’t do. Rather, like piano or
basketball or anything you good at it, meditation is something you get better at with practice.
28. The goal of meditation differs for everyone – Most agree that a core goal is to build awareness,
increase peace, grow your sense of calm, and improve your ability to live in the present moment.
29. Experienced meditators tend to sleep less – Although meditation doesn’t replace a night of
sleep, experienced meditators who participate in mediation studies often need less sleep than new
meditators do.
30. Meditation teaches you how to “suffer well” – According to the Buddhist monk Thich
Naht Hanh, the art of happiness is also the art of suffering well; not just through big,
difficult moments, but through all those small moments in a day when things don’t quite
go your way.

9. 31 Facts about Meditation
31. Meditation can increase your performance – Studies have looked at standardized tests,
sporting competitions, and business settings, and found that meditation can improve performance
by increasing focus and concentration.
 Meditation is a powerful tool for spiritual growth, and is essentially a process to take one
beyond the limitations of body and mind. Teachers and practitioners of these “inner technologies”
have also experienced the many physical and mental benefits of meditation and Yoga. In recent
years, a growing number of scientific studies and research on meditation have corroborated these
experiences.
 To master any of the technique it has to be practiced minimum 21 days (duration required to make
it as a new habit) / 40 days (called Mandala A mandala is a period of approximately 40 days in
which time the human system completes one physiological cycle. By doing yoga at home for one
mandala, you can firmly establish the yoga practice on all levels – body, mind and energy – and
reap the benefits.)

10. Types of Meditation
1. Bahá’í Prayer and Meditation
2. Binaural Beats
3. Body Scan
4. Chakra Meditation
5. Contemplative Meditation
6. Kriya Yoga (SHAMBHAVI MAHAMUDRA)
7. Kundalini Meditation
8. Loving-Kindness Meditation
9. Mantra Meditation
10. Meditative Kabbalah
11. Mindfulness Meditation
12. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
13. Nada Yoga
14. Natural Stress Relief (NSR)

11. Types of Meditation
15. Pranayama
16. Qigong
17. Self-Inquiry Meditation
18. Sufi Meditation
19. Tantra
20. Taoist Emptiness Meditation
21. Third Eye Meditation
22. Transcendental Meditation
23. Trataka
24. Vipassana
25. Walking Meditation
26. Zen Meditation
You can explore all the details of these 26 types on https://mindbodypal.com/types-of-
meditation/

12. Objectives of Meditation
 Meditation serves various objectives, and the specific goals can vary depending on the individual's personal
intentions and the type of meditation being practiced. Some common objectives of meditation include:
1) Stress Reduction: Meditation is widely used to reduce stress and promote relaxation. By calming the mind
and reducing the body's stress response, it can help lower stress levels and improve overall well-being.
2) Improved Focus and Concentration: Many people use meditation to enhance their ability to concentrate and
maintain focus. Regular meditation practice can train the mind to stay attentive to a specific task or thought,
improving cognitive function.
3) Emotional Well-Being: Meditation can help regulate and manage emotions. It's used to cultivate a sense of
inner peace, emotional stability, and increased self-awareness. This can be particularly beneficial for
individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, or emotional challenges.
4) Enhanced Self-Awareness: Meditation encourages self-reflection and self-exploration, leading to a better
understanding of one's thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It can help individuals become more self-aware and
make positive changes in their lives.
5) Spiritual Growth Many spiritual traditions use meditation as a means of deepening their connection with the
divine, exploring their inner spirituality, and seeking enlightenment. This can include practices like mindfulness,
transcendental meditation, or various forms of contemplative prayer.

13. Objectives of Meditation
6) Pain Management: Some people use meditation to alleviate physical pain or discomfort. Mindfulness
meditation, in particular, has been shown to be effective in helping individuals cope with chronic pain.
7) Improved Sleep: Meditation can promote better sleep patterns by calming the mind and reducing anxiety,
which can contribute to sleep disturbances.
8) Self-Discovery: Meditation is a tool for self-exploration and personal growth. It can help individuals discover
their values, purpose in life, and a deeper sense of meaning.
9) Creativity and Problem Solving: Some individuals use meditation to enhance their creative thinking
and problem-solving abilities. The practice of "mind-wandering" during meditation can lead to creative insights
and innovative ideas.
10) Physical Health Benefits: Meditation has been associated with various physical health benefits, including
lower blood pressure, improved immune system function, and reduced symptoms in certain medical
conditions.
It's important to note that the objectives of meditation can be highly individualized. What one person seeks to achieve
through meditation may differ from another's goals. Additionally, people may have multiple objectives when they
engage in meditation, and these objectives can evolve over time as they gain experience and insight through their
practice.

14. Benefits of Meditation
1. Stress Reduction: Meditation is well-known for its stress-reducing effects. It helps lower the body's stress
response, reducing the production of stress hormones like cortisol. This can lead to greater relaxation and a
sense of calm.
2. Improved Emotional Well-Being: Meditation can enhance emotional regulation, reduce symptoms of anxiety and
depression, and promote overall emotional stability. It encourages a positive outlook and helps individuals
manage their emotions more effectively.
3. Enhanced Concentration and Focus: Regular meditation practice can increase attention span and concentration.
This improved focus can extend to various aspects of life, from work and study to daily tasks.
4. Increased Self-Awareness: Meditation encourages self-reflection and self-awareness. It helps individuals
become more in tune with their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, promoting self-discovery and personal
growth.
5. Mindfulness: Mindfulness meditation, in particular, cultivates present-moment awareness. It helps individuals live
more fully in the moment and appreciate life as it unfolds, reducing rumination about the past or worries about
the future.
6. Better Sleep: Meditation can alleviate insomnia and improve sleep quality by calming the mind and reducing
sleep-disrupting factors like anxiety and stress.

15. Benefits of Meditation
7. Pain Management: Mindfulness meditation has been shown to be effective in reducing the
perception of pain and improving pain-related outcomes for individuals dealing with chronic pain
conditions.
8. Improved Relationships: Meditation can enhance empathy and interpersonal skills. It encourages
a compassionate and non-reactive approach to others, leading to better communication and more
harmonious relationships.
9. Physical Health Benefits: Meditation is associated with various physical health benefits, such as
lower blood pressure, improved cardiovascular health, and a boosted immune system. It may also
reduce inflammation and improve the body's response to stress.
10. Enhanced Creativity and Problem Solving: Some forms of meditation, such as "mind-wandering"
meditation, can stimulate creative thinking and lead to innovative insights and problem-solving.
11. Spiritual Growth: For those seeking a spiritual path, meditation can deepen their connection to
their inner selves, promote self-awareness, and provide a sense of purpose and meaning in life.
12. Reduced Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Certain meditation techniques,
like mindfulness-based approaches, have shown promise in reducing symptoms of PTSD and
improving the well-being of individuals who have experienced trauma.
13. Better Resilience: Meditation can enhance an individual's ability to cope with life's challenges and
bounce back from adversity. It fosters resilience by promoting a balanced and calm response to
stressors.

16. Statistical Facts of Meditation
 Meditation even has the power to increase telomerase, an enzyme needed
to delay the onset of diseases including Alzheimer’s, by 43%.
 When asked why they started meditating, participants in the 2012 US
National Health Interview Survey gave the following top reasons
• General wellness (76.2%)
• Improving energy (60%)
• Aiding memory or concentration (50%)
• Anxiety (29.2%)
• Stress (21.6%)
• Depression (17.8%)
 In the case of all the above conditions, 60% of the people questioned in the
study reported that meditation helped them significantly.

17. References
 I am grateful for the studies that I have found on meditation by below mentioned
websites and authors.
 https://isha.sadhguru.org/yoga/meditations/
 https://isha.sadhguru.org/yoga/meditations/science-of-meditation/
 https://isha.sadhguru.org/yoga/yoga-programs/inner-engineering/
 Editorial Staff at MindBodyPal https://mindbodypal.com/types-of-meditation/ is a team
of experts led by Tyson Chiu. We love tacos, lattes and Funky Fridays.
 https://mindfulnessbox.com/interesting-facts-about-meditation/
 https://www.thegoodbody.com/meditation-statistics/