Meditation is a technique for gaining control over the mind.
It is generally understood as a deep concentration on any object and is cited as a means of achieving spiritual awareness.
All ideologies promote various methods of being one with the spiritual power or god but meditation is a common thread that binds these ideologies.
Concentrating is the best way of gaining knowledge about any object but in the course of meditation, it is only the first step.
Through concentration the mind focuses on the object, (a state known as Dharna in Sanskrit) and when achieving that focus or concentration becomes effortless, then the mind begins to study the object (dhyana).
Meditation culminates with the total absorption (Samadhi) in the object of meditation.
Hence, Meditation is not just concentrating on the object but following the concentration to its culmination and identifying with the things discovered.
Meditation is also often mixed with prayer.
However, both have different premises.
While prayers are directed to divine personalities that we feel are separate from us, Meditation continues on the path which ends into the Divine, beyond all names, forms or shape.
This may sound unrealistic but the fact is everyone meditates.
Concentration, the core unit of meditation, is an indispensable part of our survival.
it is only because of our powers of concentration that we can see, hear or understand anything.
While making a pot out of clay, a potter's concentration determines the shape and structure of the clay.
So, when everyone concentrates on a day to day basis, only a small effort is required to achieve the state of meditation.
Mind when controlled is our best friend and when uncontrolled, our worst enemy.
It is only through meditation that we can learn to control our mind and find genuine peace and fulfillment.