| Perhaps as ancient as the Bible itself, the history of | | | | was documented by Indians, although called Tantra by |
| meditation has been recorded going back thousands | | | | these people. Historical theories include that meditation |
| of years. While no accurate data exists on its | | | | and varying states of consciousness were achieved |
| origination, many speculate on its roots. | | | | by ancestral people who would focus on flames in |
| The Buddha has been long recognized as an icon in | | | | campfires, transcending their thoughts into ideals and |
| the history of meditation; dating back to 500 B.C. After | | | | plans of action. |
| living a luxurious life in his early years with his father, | | | | Meditation as it exists today also takes many forms; |
| Siddhartha became familiar with the realities of life | | | | likely through its loose formation and development in |
| outside of his upbringing. He determined that life was | | | | early years after the Buddha's teachings ceased. Each |
| mired with sorrow and suffering, and declared | | | | variation is as valuable and effective for its followers |
| abstinence from worldly pleasures to pursue more | | | | as the next, serving to balance emotional and physical |
| spiritual goals. Upon discovering that the opposite end | | | | energies of the body and mind. The history of |
| of the scale he chose was not the answer to end | | | | meditation has evolved into a technique that can help |
| life's suffering, he instead traversed to the middle | | | | people sleep, overcome depression, eliminate stress |
| ground between luxury and asceticism. Siddhartha | | | | and anxiety and achieve overall peace of mind. It has |
| was 30 years old when he found "enlightenment", or | | | | also been essential in assisting individuals in conquering |
| Nirvana; a heightened level of awareness attained | | | | illnesses such as smoking, weight, drug issues and |
| through meditation. He spent the remainder of his | | | | alcoholism. For many, meditation is a means of dealing |
| lifetime teaching his methods to many people, gaining a | | | | with the everyday pressures that the world imposes; |
| following of thousands of individuals. | | | | centering them and helping them to regain composure |
| Teachings from the Buddha spread through the | | | | and joy in their life. |
| Eastern world in many different forms. Since there | | | | While it is true that no one knows how far back the |
| was no formal set of guidelines, the adoption of the | | | | history of meditation extends, it is known that the art |
| teachings in diverse areas branched out to form many | | | | has developed over time into one of the most |
| doctrines over the next 400 years. Even so, several | | | | practiced techniques in the world. Books, lectures, |
| thousands of years still passed before the Western | | | | seminars and classes that teach the methods of |
| world learned of the history of meditation and all of its | | | | meditation are available to all who seek inner peace; |
| principles. | | | | the same goal sought by millions throughout the history |
| Researchers who have spent years studying the | | | | of meditation. |
| history of meditation have also learned that its practice | | | | |