Meditation is a technique practiced for thousands of years by different cultures around the world. Meditation is thought to help chase away our negative mental attitudes and feelings that create unnecessary tension and stress in our lives. It also aims to purify the mind by allowing a phase of reflection and awareness of the present time. According to Manosha, meditation, if practiced regularly, helps to develop habitual unconscious behaviors that produce positive effects on both a physical and psychological level (1138). Western societies have adopted meditation into their daily lives to help relieve stress, improve concentration, memory, and overall physical well-being. Studies have shown that meditation helps decrease frequent doctor visits and, as a result, reduce some unnecessary medical expenses. Stevens describes two phases of meditation, passive and active, along with four different phases of meditation: Pratyahara; Dharana; Dhyana; and Samadi (16-18). A positive aspect of meditation is the ability to neutralize negative thoughts resulting from the daily stress we encounter due to past events in our lives or excessive worry about future events. According to many practitioners, meditation involves achieving a state of “thoughtless awareness.” There are two general categories of meditation, Mantra and Open Mindfulness. The word mantra has two parts: man, which is the root of the Sanskrit word for mind; and tra, which is the root of the word instrument. Mantra meditation requires the use of a selected tool on which to focus your concentration and attention. Repetition of this selected mantra will help you enter a deep state of meditation and disconnect from the negative thoughts that fill your heart...... middle of paper......it didn't help at all at first! At first I needed more time to meditate. I had to take time and conscious effort and go out into my backyard by the pool and away from distractions to meditate. After the second day and a good rest, meditation, if I do it correctly, has relaxed me, given me answers to a couple of problems that were distracting me from work, and I have literally enjoyed the quiet time alone. I felt my pulse and heart beating along with my labored breathing. I decided to get rid of my wristwatch during this time as I am driven by time and it distracted me. By the third day, I was actually hearing specific bird and insect sounds behind my property. Now, I think I'm enjoying my quiet time and stillness of meditation, although I'm not entirely sure that my experience in this very short time is true meditation. Only time will tell.