Meditation involves using mental exercises to reach deeper states of awareness beyond thinking. There are various types and benefits of meditation. Meditation techniques discussed in the document include focusing on breath, contemplating one's identity, mentally reversing words, remaining neutral to thoughts, and visualizing a flame or divine figure. Higher states of meditation involve self-observation and experiencing awareness of the observer within experiences. Meditation is discussed as a spiritual practice in various religions and as a way to gain inner peace, enlightenment, and lead one from ignorance to truth.