Meditation has found relevance in all significant religions. In most of the practices to mediate, the aim is to attain improved alertness of mind and inner peace. People use several forms and method to fulfill this attainment.

When it comes to Buddhism, meditation has a little variance. In Buddhism, it is a medium to attain enlightenment of soul. They define the purpose of meditation as follows:

Buddhist meditation aims at filling up the soul with the grace of knowledge. It is based on the principals of “understanding of life”. The life in itself is filled up with a lot of pain and affliction. These are the driving forces that often make us do the things we do not want to! The causes of pain make us feel aligned with the world. It loosens our connection with the fellow human beings as we get looped into our own world of resonance. We develop negative feelings of hate, jealousy, and revenge. Everything is a consequence of the pain that we suffer. Such feelings are imparted on to our children too. There is a relief when the sufferings give rise to more sufferings. There is more pain that dwells in the mind, body, and soul. Then what is the cure?

Is meditation the answer?

Yes, meditation can be one answer to your mental sufferings and pain. Buddhist tradition believes that it can alleviate the feelings of distress and affliction among human beings. With meditation, we gain control over our thoughts and thus do not think about the causes and consequences again and again which cause pain.

How can Buddhist meditation be helpful?

Buddhist meditation follows the eightfold path to help in exercising liberation:

1. The right view: Do not be judgemental when you see the world around. Perceive the world as it seems.

2. The right intention: Never intend to harm anyone. Improve your intentions by reducing manipulations.

3. The right speech: Speak from your heart but speak as much is needed.

4. The right discipline: Do not complicate the things in your life by enforcing your viewpoints and tendencies. Take life in its simplest forms- as it comes.

5. The right life: Try to be the best in your situation. If you will try too hard for the changes you are struggling to change the bestowments of nature. Use your talents in the best possible ways to improve your situations.

6. The right effort: Make right efforts in right direction. Do not invite unnecessary complications in the course of things that fall in place.

7. The right mindfulness: Be mindful of what goes around and what goes within. Be aware and alert of what you are experiencing, talking, seeing, behaving etc. Increase your consciousness about self.

8. The right concentration: Train your mind to be with you all the time. Do not let your thoughts travel the world while you sit in your chair. Enhance your concentration through meditation.

So these are the eight principals which define Buddhist meditation.

Meditation helps us in feeling enlightened and free from the worldly captures. We become helpful, adjusting and start enjoying the life as it comes. It untangles the complexities of our mind and thoughts. It helps in refining our perception towards the world. Therefore, one should do it regularly to improve the quality of life.