His friend puts a supportive hand on his shoulder. “Meditating? What’s that?”
The other guy: “I’m not sure. But it’s better than sitting around and doing nothing!”
That joke is a reminder that to many in the West, meditation may seem exotic and not easily understood. After all, it delves into ancient practices, focuses on letting go of the worldly concerns, and stereotypically involves gurus, robes, mystical chanting and sitar music, all of it giving a tinge of the forbidden and mysterious to the practice.
That perception has slowly been changing. Meditation has graduated from the ashrams and is now quite mainstream. Among its practitioners are such well-known stars as actress Jennifer Aniston, journalist Candy Crowley, talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres, actor/director Clint Eastwood and PBS CEO Patricia Harrison.
The Origins of Meditation
Although no precise date can be placed on the origin of the practice of meditation, scholars agree that it is a very ancient art. Some speculate that hunter-gatherers may have stared into the flames of their campfires and discovered its relaxing properties. As mankind advanced, structure and form was added, and the ancient Indian scriptures known as tantras recorded the act of meditation as far back as 5,000 years ago.